Carolina Panthers players, former CMPD chief back challenger to Sheriff McFadden
Mecklenburg County Sheriff Garry McFadden faces new competition in next year’s race to be sheriff.
Longtime Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Sgt. Ricky Robbins will host a kickoff event for his campaign to take that job on July 15 at the Mint Museum Randolph, according to a news release sent out Wednesday.
Robbins is backed by retired CMPD Chief Rodney Monroe, along with Carolina Panthers Chuba Hubbard and Derek Brown. Former Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly is backing Robbins, too, according to the news release.
“This campaign is about people — protecting families, jail reform and making sure our Sheriff’s Office reflects the values and diversity of the communities we serve,” Robbins said in a statement.
He is one of at least two candidates who want to unseat McFadden.
Former detention officer Antwain Nance is also running, according to a campaign website.
McFadden’s controversies
In Wednesday’s news release, Robbins’ campaign said he is running in part to establish “ethical workplace culture.” Nance’s campaign website says he wants to restore public trust in the sheriff’s office.
McFadden has faced scrutiny since he first won the sheriff’s office in 2018, but especially since last fall, when former Chief Deputy Kevin Canty resigned in a scathing and public resignation letter.
The Charlotte Observer later reported on two audio recordings in which McFadden denigrated his staff and called one captain a “cracker.” In interviews with the Observer, seven people who used to work for McFadden described him emotionally abusing his staff for years.
McFadden later apologized for “language” he used in one conversation that was recorded.
The sheriff did not immediately respond to a message offering a chance to comment Wednesday.
The primary election is March 3, 2026.
Ryan Oehrli covers criminal justice in the Charlotte region for The Charlotte Observer. His work is produced with financial support from the nonprofit The Just Trust. The Observer maintains full editorial control of its journalism.
This story was originally published July 2, 2025 at 11:09 AM.