Orange County is having its first competitive race for the sheriff’s office since 2018. Challenger David LaBarre has served with the Durham County Sheriff’s Office since 2003. Blackwood, a 45-year veteran of the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, also wants to develop an Interdiction for the Protection of Children (IPC) mindset. He has continued to work at the Durham County Sheriff’s Office in administrative and management roles, he said. In-person early voting in Orange County begins February 12, with primary election day March 3.