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Anne Arundel County Sheriff

Duties: The County Sheriff's office is responsible for enforcing writs of the court, maintaining county warrants, extraditing prisoners from foreign jurisdictions, transporting prisoners between holding facilities and the courts, and maintaining courtroom decorum. The Sheriff’s Office also assists other law enforcement agencies as needed.Salary: Equal to an Anne Arundel County Police Captain at Step 20 of salary scale ($167,383 in 2025)Term: Four years; no term limit.How Elected: Elected countywide. To be eligible for the office of Sheriff, a person must be at least twenty-five years of age and must have been a County resident for at least five years immediately preceding election.

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  • Candidate picture

    Jim Fredericks
    (Rep)

  • Candidate picture

    James H. McNeill
    (Rep)

  • Candidate picture

    Everett Sesker
    (Dem)

Biographical Information

Qualifications: Why are you running for Sheriff and what experiences or training prepare you to serve in this role?

Challenges: What is the biggest challenge you expect to face as Sheriff, and how will you address it?

Outreach: What steps will you take to build and maintain a positive relationship with the community?

Priorities: What other issues will be priorities during your term of office?

Other: What else would you like voters to know about you?

Campaign Twitter Fredericks4MD
Campaign Phone 4107032896
Campaign Instagram JimFredericksforSheriff
Campaign Twitter Handle @Fredericks4MD
I served in law enforcement in AA County for 30 years including 4 years as the elected Sheriff from 2018 to 2022. Since 2023, I have been a private security contract manager within the DC federal judiciary. My continuous 33 years of service in both the public and private sectors has given me an unmatched skillset for 2026. I have managed large budgets, large-scale projects, and personnel processes throughout my career and now bring new ideas in public-private partnerships to the office.
AA County has a large police department, and a much smaller Sheriff's office that receives limited county resources. The challenge is in managing those resources to provide a high-integrity, responsive, and effective Sheriff's office that exceeds expectations, while attracting new deputies to join the ranks. This process began during my last term in office by securing a large, well-equipped, new operations facility, expanding staffing, and adding essential technology upgrades to the agency.
In 2019 I started a 1st-in-Maryland Safe Surrender program to reduce negative interactions between wanted subjects and deputies. This program led to increased self turn-ins and a reduction of outstanding warrants. I will continue to promote accountability and transparency through online access and direct contact with community organizations. I was the first AA County Sheriff to introduce mobile app technology and body-worn cameras, and I will continue to innovate to promote community relations.
I will seek public-private partnerships to increase availability of deputies for law enforcement duties and provide new technologies for courthouse security.

Sheriff's deputies are currently paid significantly less than their counterparts in the police department and I will work to close that pay gap.

I will seek to advance training opportunities for deputies to reduce their risks in the performance of their duties.

I will continue to reduce the backlog of warrants for a safer AA county.
I am a life-long county resident and the only Sheriff candidate with a 30-yr career of service to the safety of our AA county communities. My desire to return to the Sheriff's Office is to continue the great work and programs I started between 2018 and 2022 to make our courts, and this county as safe as possible. I will bring even newer ideas and perspective from my latest experience in federal judicial security. AA county deserves a modern, educated, experienced leader and that is what I am.
I'm James McNeill — experienced Maryland law‑enforcement leader and small‑business owner committed to transparency, fair policing, stronger partnerships, and expanded youth and community outreach.My law enforcement background includes frontline patrol, detective work, crime‑lab and technical assistance responsibilities. I’ve also volunteered with the Baltimore County Auxiliary Police and assisted the Anne Arundel County Sheriff’s Office with prisoner holding and juvenile finger print/ID program
All issues or challenges will be addressed head on. I don't see a challenge that can't be resolved, We have a plan going into this and will stay focused. we will adjust as need.
Bi weekly meetings with community leaders through out Anne Arundel County , host 4 Town Halls per year or more as needed. Work closely with Anne Arundel County Police and attend PCRC monthly meetings , attend Annapolis City Police, Crofton Police Community Meeting and other Law enforcement agencys meetings in and around Anne Arundel County to stay in touch with our community. Attend community events through out Anne Arundel County.
Day one we will be off and running, I will adjust for any issues as we go forward . I will assemble a committed team to make sure you the Citizens of Anne Arundel County know who your Elected Sheriff is.
I am committed to all of the Citizens of Anne Arundel County Maryland. I need your vote to win this election 2026 Thank You Anne Arundel County and I look forward to Serving All of you here in my county that I know and love here in Anne Arundel County Maryland. Get involved in your community, make a difference.
Campaign Twitter @Sesker4Sheriff
Campaign Instagram @everettseskerforsheriff
Campaign Twitter Handle @@Sesker4Sheriff
Campaign Mailing Address PO Box 592
Tracys Landing, MD 20779-9998
I am running for re-election as Sheriff of Anne Arundel Co. to build upon our progress. During my first term we eliminated a vacancy rate exceeding 20 percent, expanded community engagement, training, equipment, and advancement opportunities. My law enforcement career includes, but is not limited to, rising to the rank of Major in the Prince George’s Co. Police Dept. and the appointment by Governor Larry Hogan to serve as the Executive Dir. of the Md. Police Training and Standards Commission.
My biggest challenge is securing a budget that reflects the needs of our community. While I appreciate the support received thus far, the Sheriff’s Office has been under-resourced for decades. Despite an increasing workload our staff has barely grown in over 20 years. We currently have 86 sworn officers, but a complement of 180 is necessary to properly serve our county. I will continue to advocate for the resources required to ensure our staff can meet the community needs safely and efficiently.
Since taking office, I have instituted a robust community outreach initiative. I personally participate in forums regarding gun violence, addiction, and re-entry programs to ensure citizens receive direct answers from agency leadership. We also engage in local parades, job fairs, and school career days. This community engagement has helped us reduce our vacancy rate to zero and bridge the divide between law enforcement and the residents we serve.
My top priority is the safety of our citizens. I am committed to addressing both the causes and symptoms of crime. I will continue to request necessary resources in a fiscally responsible manner to avoid placing an undue burden on taxpayers. Additionally, I will work closely with state Senators and Delegates to support legislation that protects law-abiding citizens and deters criminal activity.
I am a humble servant to the people of Anne Arundel County. Serving as your 121st Sheriff has been my greatest professional honor, and I am deeply grateful for your support you showed me in 2022.

Our work is not done, I look forward to continuing this journey with you in 2026.