Who is Aujiena ‘Gina’ Hicks, a candidate for Mecklenburg County sheriff in 2022?

Political party: Democrat

Age as of Nov. 8, 2022: 53

Campaign website: www.ginahicks4mecksheriff.com

Email: ginahicks4mecksheriff@gmail.com

Occupation: Officer

Education: MBA/BA

Have you run for elected office before? (Please list previous offices sought): No

Please list your highlights of civic involvement

Membership in the following: Democratic Women of Mecklenburg County, NAACP, LGBT Dems, League of Women Voters ACA and I also teach at schools conflict resolution in lieu of violence.

What is the biggest challenge the Mecklenburg County sheriff will face in the following four years?

Staffing, rebuilding trust and reputation, finding resources and means of combating recidivism and gun violence.

If elected, what’s the most important change — if any — that you plan to make to the operations of the Sheriff’s Office?

Increase in current staffing for overall public safety.

Is there an area where you disagree with your party? Why?

Not at the current moment.

What separates you from your primary opponents?

I have many proven years of effective, efficient, fiscally responsible, knowledgeable and successful leadership in almost every position at The Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office as well many other academic training and achievements to include a Masters of Business Administration, a Bachelor of Criminal Justice, successful leadership certification at the Administrative Office Management Program. I am also a NC State Certified Instructor.

What one professional or political accomplishment are you most proud of?

I am most proud of my decision to run for the Office of the Sheriff. I am committed to making a leadership change at the agency that will rebuild positive relationships, staffing levels and moral both internally and externally that have been torn. I also have community safety initiatives that I would love to implement.

This story was originally published April 21, 2022 at 9:00 AM.