Staff – March 19, 2025

As the primary season for the 2026 general elections approaches, residents of Currituck County and North Carolina’s First Judicial District have their eyes on three pivotal races that will shape local leadership in law enforcement and the judicial system. With primaries set for March 3, 2026, and the general election following on November 3, 2026, the contests for District Attorney, Sheriff, and District Court Judge promise to influence the region’s approach to justice and public safety. Here’s what you need to know about the incumbents up for reelection: Jeff Cruden, Matthew W. Beickert, and Robert P. Trivette.

Jeff Cruden: District Attorney for Judicial District 1

Jeff Cruden has served as the District Attorney for the First Judicial District—encompassing Camden, Chowan, Currituck, Dare, Gates, Pasquotank, and Perquimans counties—since January 2023. Elected in November 2022 with 68.5% of the vote against independent John Maloney, Cruden brought over 30 years of prosecutorial experience to the role. His career includes a stint as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Eastern District of North Carolina from 1997 to 2020, where he tackled violent crime, drug trafficking, and public corruption, and earlier service as an Assistant District Attorney in the same district from 1988 to 1997. A native of Ohio, Cruden earned his B.A. from UNC-Chapel Hill in 1982 and his J.D. from Campbell University in 1986. Now living in Elizabeth City with his wife, Elizabeth, and their two adult daughters, he’s made a name as a tough-on-crime Republican.

Since taking office, Cruden has weighed in on high-stakes cases, such as his January 2025 ruling that a Currituck County deputy’s actions in a September 2024 shooting were justified, allowing the officer to return to duty. As his term nears its end in December 2026, voters will decide if his extensive experience and conservative approach merit another four years.

Matthew W. Beickert: Currituck County Sheriff

Sheriff Matthew W. Beickert has led the Currituck County Sheriff’s Office since December 2018, when he ousted incumbent Susan Johnson with 56.3% of the vote. Re-elected in 2022 with a commanding 67% against independent Kevin Duprey, Beickert’s tenure reflects his deep roots in the county. Born in New Jersey in 1968, he moved to Currituck in 1993, initially working as a commercial fisherman before joining the Sheriff’s Office. Over 25 years, he climbed to Chief Deputy, giving him a front-row seat to the county’s law enforcement needs before taking the top job.

From his home in Grandy, Beickert oversees a department handling everything from high-speed chases—like the February 2025 Food Lion arrest—to missing persons searches. His community-focused leadership, amplified through regular Sheriff’s Office social media updates, has earned him strong local backing. With his term expiring in December 2026, the 2026 election will test whether voters want to keep his steady hand at the helm for another four years.

Robert P. Trivette: District Court Judge, Judicial District 1

Robert P. Trivette has been a fixture on the District Court bench in Judicial District 1 since his appointment by Governor Bev Perdue in September 2009. Elected to full terms in 2010, 2014, 2018, and most recently 2022—often unopposed—he’s built a reputation for consistency. His current term, which began in January 2023, ends in December 2026, and as of January 1, 2025, he serves as Chief District Court Judge, overseeing court operations across the seven-county district.

Trivette’s legal journey started with a journalism graduate degree and J.D. from UNC-Chapel Hill, followed by roles as a judicial clerk, Assistant District Attorney in Dare County (1991–2003), and private attorney at Vandeventer Black, LLP. Born in 1956 and married to Donna Epley Trivette, he’s handled notable cases, including two Court TV-featured prosecutions. His 2026 reelection bid will determine if his decades of service continue to resonate with voters.

Why These Races Matter

With primaries just under a year away on March 3, 2026, these three officials—Cruden, Beickert, and Trivette—represent the backbone of Currituck County and Judicial District 1’s legal and safety framework. Cruden’s prosecutorial decisions, Beickert’s sheriff’s leadership, and Trivette’s judicial oversight will face scrutiny as candidates emerge. Residents should mark their calendars and stay tuned to local news and the North Carolina State Board of Elections for updates, as these elections will define the region’s course through 2030.