Johnston County Sheriff Steve Bizzell Endorses E.C. Sykes for Secretary of State | Eastern North Carolina Now

Press Release:

    Raleigh, NC     Today, Johnston Sheriff Steve Bizzell announced his endorsement of E.C. Sykes for North Carolina Secretary of State.

    Sheriff Bizzell said, "I am committed to serve and protect the people of Johnston County. I work with the Secretary of State to enforce sections of the business law and a good working relationship with that office is imperative. We can count on E.C. Sykes and that's why I am supporting him." Bizzell continued, "E.C.'s respect for the rule of law was instilled in him by his father who served the public as a law enforcement officer. E.C.'s international business experience reinforced the importance of respecting the rule of law. He knows first-hand the oppression to business and people in countries that did not enjoy that foundational framework. We share the same North Carolina values and passion to serve."

    "I appreciate the support of Sheriff Bizzell, as well as the broader law enforcement community that has come out in droves to support our campaign. I cannot imagine living in a state without their protection, yet that's exactly what Elaine Marshall's radical friends are calling for," said Sykes. "It's law and order versus lawlessness — that's what is at stake in this election. Are we going to stand up to the mob who wants to fundamentally change our way of life, or are we going to allow them to impose their will on our communities, putting us and our businesses in jeopardy? I've made my position abundantly clear while my opponent has made standing with law enforcement a political issue."

    Sheriff Bizzell was elected in November 1998 at the age of 39 and was sworn into office in December 1998. He is the longest-serving Sheriff in Johnston County, currently in his sixth term. Sheriff Bizzell served as President of the North Carolina Sheriff's Association in 2007-2008 where he represented all 100 sheriffs in the State of North Carolina. He was Chairman of the Executive Committee of the NCSA from 2008 to 2009 and continues to serve as a board member. In 2014 Sheriff Bizzell was selected by Governor Pat McCrory to serve on the Governor's DWI Task Force and was elected by Sheriffs in District 4 to serve on the N.C. Sheriffs Education and Training Standards Commission. In 2016, Sheriff Bizzell received the "Order of the Long Leaf Pine," among the most prestigious awards conferred by the Governor of North Carolina.

    Sheriff Bizzell joins many other members of law enforcement who have publicly endorsed the Sykes campaign, including former Durham County Sheriff Mike Andrews, former Durham Police Chief Jose Lopez, and former Wake County Sheriff Donnie Harrison with more joining the team every day. The campaign has also received support from local leaders from across the state, including Senate President Pro Tempore Phil Berger, NC House Majority Leader John Bell, NC House Agriculture Chairman Jimmy Dixon, former Lieutenant Governor and Congressman Jim Gardner, radio host Steve Noble, civil rights leader Clarence Henderson, and many others from every part of North Carolina.

    The Sykes for Secretary of State campaign has and will continue to push Elaine Marshall to finally come out of hiding and state where she stands on the issues most important to North Carolina families in this election. As more and more public officials and activists sign onto the Sykes campaign, it becomes clearer every day that voters are begging for a businessman outsider to serve as their next Secretary of State, not a career politician. To stay updated with the campaign's progress, www.ECforNC.com or follow on Facebook and Twitter.