Republican incumbent Brian Kirkland has won 65.27% of the vote versus Democrat David Southards’ 34.73% and will retain his position as Swain County Sheriff for a four-year term. Kirkland was second-in-command to former Sheriff Curtis Cochran and sworn in to his current position in August 2025 after Cochran was accused of rape and sexual assault. Kirkland’s message focused on the programs he’s coordinated or instituted since taking office: Cops and Kids, Swain County Night Out, Community Impact Teams, scam education presentations, and a new drug-sniffing dog.