Dare sheriff race 2026: One prospective candidate is from Dare. Another, from Pa., was accused of mistreatment by 3 former partners, including an alleged threat to kill family dog
- Corinne Saunders
- May 28
- 6 min read

Rodney Rawls (left) of Dare County and Theodore “Teddy” Daniels of Pennsylvania, who registered to vote in Dare County last week, each announced their plans to run for Dare County sheriff in 2026. (Photos courtesy their respective online campaigns)
By Corinne Saunders
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MANTEO — Two hopeful Republican candidates recently announced plans to run for Dare County sheriff in 2026. Official candidate filing has not yet taken place.
Theodore “Teddy” Daniels of Pennsylvania and Rodney Rawls of Dare County each publicly announced their campaigns on Facebook on Sunday.
Dare County Sheriff John D. “Doug” Doughtie plans to retire at the end of his current elected term, in 2026. Doughtie made and canceled earlier plans to retire mid-term, as Outer Banks Insider reported last October.
Daniels, who ran unsuccessfully in the 2022 Republican primary for Pennsylvania lieutenant governor, just registered as a Dare County voter last Tuesday, May 20.
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