Former Sheriff To Run For County Commission
He served as a Police Officer in the Charlotte area for more than 20 years. Then, he served as Mecklenburg County's sheriff for 13 years.
Now, Jim Pendergraph wants a seat on the Mecklenburg County Commission.
"I sort of have a hankering to get back into the mix," Pendergraph told NewsChannel 36.
Just two years after retiring, Pendergraph is ready to get back to work in the public arena.
"Government is all I know, and when I see folks in trouble, especially in a community that I grew up in and love, I just want to help," he said.
He's concerned about how little people seem to trust their government and the lack of bi-partisanship.
"I think the people elect us to solve the problems of the city, county, state and federal government, and they expect us all to work together to solve those problems," Pendergraph said.
When he looks back at 13 years leading the sheriff's department, he's most proud of the education and work programs he started for inmates.
When he looks forward, he talks about accountability.
"It's not so much, 'Will you raise taxes or will I raise taxes or will I vote for that?' -- I want to make sure that county government is spending the money it's already getting where it needs to be spent," he said.
In November, he'll run at-large to be part of the board that once controlled his budget as sheriff. And for the first time, he'll run as a Republican.
After leaving the sheriff's department, he spent nearly a year serving in Homeland Security for the Bush administration.
"I felt sort of like a cat at a dog show," he said.
But he doesn't think his party affiliation will matter in this election.
"I also believe there are a lot of people that are registered Democrat who will vote for me," he said.
Pendergraph plans to officially enter the race next Monday.
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Sources: WCNC, McClatchy Newspapers, Charlotte Observer, Google Maps
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