Harnett County needs an overhaul: Meet Sheriff Candidate Reggie Watson

The future of Harnett County hinges on voters evaluating law enforcement leadership. For many voters, the sheriff’s race is about fiscal responsibility, discipline, and accountability, not party. Candidate Aaron Meredith, a longtime sheriff’s department employee, remains on the department’s current path, while Candidate Reggie Watson offers a principled alternative based on nearly 50 years of decorated Law Enforcement service, recognized with numerous awards and commendations for dedicated leadership.

In addition to State and Federal service, Watson, a Harnett County native, offers over 21 years of U.S. Military service.

He provides an outsider’s order, free from local politics.

“The military prepared me for dealing with people at their worst and treating them with dignity.”

Fiscal conservatives face a clear choice: continuity or an outsider’s audit.

The current administration’s legacy includes lawsuits for brutality, a cost to taxpayers. Watson sees proactive training as a necessary budget correction, not bureaucracy. “Deputies need training,” Watson insisted. “They have more than $7 million in lawsuits over brutality charges and preventive measures are past due.”

Watson’s platform prioritizes accountability for recent internal controversies and an independent, transparent cleanup of leadership culture.

“The Harnett County Sheriff’s Department had three recent deputies charged with assaulting inmates,” Watson said. “People don’t get in trouble if leadership is doing the right thing. I plan to take reports, substantiate them, and follow through. Everyone deserves dignity and justice. Law enforcement must be accountable.”

Voters who prioritize order over bureaucracy appreciate Watson’s grounded community safety approach. His policy puts deputies in neighborhoods.

“I like to see people treated right every day, whether we are handling a prisoner or walking the neighborhoods,” Watson said. “Establishing relationships is primary, and I plan to have deputies walk neighborhoods and talk to the people. We can make a difference.”

An example of his boots on the ground approach is seen in his experience as a Spring Lake Police Officer. He encountered a young boy who’d stolen something, and his mother asked him for help. He’d met them while walking in the neighborhood. He discussed how stealing made others feel and that it was not behavior that led to a promising future. Watson said, “What if someone took something of yours? Would that make you happy?”

Watson then arranged to met the boy and his mother at a nearby store and let him choose a toy under $20. After that, he did not receive any calls to “handle” the boy again.

Two years ago, when Watson was working at Womack Army Medical Center, a man approached him, saying, “Hey, I know you.”

“It was that boy,” Watson said.

The boy had graduated from high school and attended college and was working at the Medical Center.

Watson had made the difference with relationship. That is how reform works.

Watson’s jail reform plan emphasizes faith and community in oversight. One of his first jobs as the new sheriff will be bringing in ministry for detainees as he overhauls transparency and activates full accountability to Harnett County taxpayers.

He also plans to create a rehabilitation program for released inmates to reduce recidivism rates and save taxpayers their hard-earned money.

Watson’s platform provides Harnett County with the leadership, training, transparency, and accountability to move beyond litigation and instability with its current staff. Watson offers voters a clear path to a sheriff who will protect citizens and their tax dollars.

Learn more about Watson at his website. https://electreggiewatson.com/

July 26, 2026

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