The race for sheriff in Rowan County has intensified, as mid-year finance reports reveal significant fundraising efforts among the candidates. With no Democratic opponent, the four Republican candidates are vying for the position: former Rowan County Detective and private investigations firm owner Carl Dangerfield, former Stallings Police Captain Tim Harrington, former Rowan County Patrol Lieutenant Jody Burleyson, and incumbent Travis Allen.
As of July 31, 2023, Burleyson leads the pack, having raised a total of $82,481.21. This figure represents a notable increase from his previous mid-year report, where he raised $42,967.15. The majority of Burleyson’s contributions have come from individual donations, totaling $74,635.48, with over $10,000 contributed by himself.
Burleyson’s significant donors include County Commissioner and Charlotte-Mecklenburg officer Mike Caskey at $1,600.73, County Auditor Andy Downs at $3,275.93, and several local business owners. In total, Burleyson has spent $48,265.27 of his funds, leaving him with $34,215.74 in cash on hand.
Allen, the incumbent, follows closely behind in fundraising efforts with $39,296.80. His contributions show a significant improvement from his mid-year report, where he reported just $6,779.43. Allen contributed $2,000 of his own funds, and his largest donors include Tamarac Campground owner Daniel Black at $1,080 and several others contributing around $1,000 each.
Harrington has also seen a notable increase, raising $13,455.03 by the end of July, up from $5,755 earlier in the year. His contributions include a personal investment of $1,500 and significant support from local business owners such as Angela Bolick and Joan Benson.
Dangerfield’s campaign has seen a total of $5,567.67, which is an increase from his mid-year filing of $3,554.67. He has personally contributed $2,813 but has yet to list significant contributions surpassing $1,000. After expenses totaling $5,313.68, he has $500.77 remaining for his campaign.
In total, the Rowan County Sheriff’s race has garnered approximately $101,503 in fundraising efforts thus far. This amount is significantly lower than the $236,357 raised by candidates in the previous election cycle, which featured seven candidates competing for an open seat following the retirement of longtime Sheriff Kevin Auten.
The landscape has changed, with Burleyson already surpassing the fundraising totals of previous candidates, marking a competitive atmosphere as the election approaches. The candidates continue to ramp up their efforts as they prepare for the upcoming election.
