Michael
Cavins

for Sheriff

New Leadership. New Energy.
A Safer Claiborne County.

ACCOUNTABILITY • INTEGRITY • LEADERSHIP • TRANSPARENCY • TRUST

Elect Michael Cavins for Sheriff - Claiborne County Tennessee 2026

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⏱️ Early Voting Starts In:

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July 7

Registration Deadline

July 17 – Aug 1

Early Voting

August 6

Election Day

Find Where to Vote

Campaign Announcement

Neighbors and friends,

My name is Michael Cavins. As a lifelong resident of Claiborne County, and after many thoughtful discussions with my wife, Pamela, and our family, I am excited to announce my decision to run for Sheriff of Claiborne County.

Before I ever wore a badge, I worked in logging, earning a living with my hands and learning the value of hard work. I went on to the police academy and began my law enforcement career as a Police Officer for the Town of Tazewell, and while working those shifts I put myself through Lincoln Memorial University, earning a bachelor's degree in Wildlife and Fisheries Management. For the past sixteen years, I have served as a Game Warden with the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, nearly two decades in law enforcement all told.

Throughout my career, I have worked closely with neighbors, landowners, hunters, and anglers building strong relationships along the way. As a Game Warden, I have provided public outreach and educational programs to local organizations and public schools. These efforts have strengthened trust between law enforcement and our community.

I am an outsider, with no ties to any past or current administration. I believe this independence brings strength, trust, and transparency to my vision. Through open and honest communication, we can build on professionalism, accountability, and stronger relationships with people throughout our community.

I will continue serving Claiborne County with an open-door approach: listening, staying accessible, and working alongside the people as your sheriff. I look forward to meeting with each of you, hearing your concerns, and listening to your ideas. I humbly ask for your prayers and support throughout this campaign.

July 2026 Update: Over the past several months, I have shared my vision and plans with people throughout Claiborne County. I hope I have earned your trust and your vote. It would be an honor to serve as your Sheriff.

Sincerely,
Michael Cavins

Why Michael Cavins

Nearly Two Decades Serving

From his time with the Tazewell Police Department to his years serving as a TWRA Game Warden, Michael has spent nearly two decades in law enforcement serving Claiborne County and East Tennessee.

Lifelong Claiborne County Resident

A lifelong resident, Michael and his wife, Pamela, raised their two sons and two daughters in Claiborne County, the only home he has ever known.

Fresh Independent Leadership

Michael has no ties to any past or current Sheriff's Office administration. He will bring a fresh start, independent leadership, and a clean-slate approach built on honesty, transparency, accountability, and an open door.

Rural Law Enforcement Experience

Michael understands Claiborne County's backroads, rural communities, farms, schools, and neighborhoods because he has spent years serving them face-to-face. That experience gives him a practical understanding of the people, places, and challenges unique to our county.

My Priorities

New Leadership. New Energy. A Safer Claiborne County. Here's where I'll focus from day one.

Putting Our Foot Down on Drugs & Theft

A proactive, investigative approach to drug dealers and traffickers who poison our communities, along with stronger protection for families, homes, farms, and businesses from theft and crime.

Transparency & Accountability

Fresh, independent leadership with a clear focus on openness, responsible use of taxpayer dollars, better public communication, and proper checks and balances within the Sheriff's Office.

Learn more

Deputies Back on the Backroads

A renewed focus on rural patrols across every part of Claiborne County, making sure citizens in our smaller communities, backroads, and neighborhoods feel seen, heard, and protected.

Stronger Trust Between Law Enforcement & Citizens

Supporting and holding accountable the men and women who wear the patch, and treating the community as an essential partner in keeping us all safe.

Stay Connected

Follow our campaign on Facebook for the latest updates, announcements, and events.

Elect Michael Cavins Claiborne County Sheriff on Facebook

Highlights from Our Page

Announcing My Candidacy for Sheriff Where it all began — Michael's announcement to run for Sheriff of Claiborne County Busy but Blessed Weekend in Our Community Scenes from a full weekend of events around the county Office of Community Relations Michael's plan for an open door between citizens and the Sheriff's Office Fresh Independent Leadership No ties and no favors — what a clean slate means for Claiborne County Transparency Michael's first core value, in his own words Early Voting Starts Early voting is underway — make your voice heard for Claiborne County Meeting with the Fire Chiefs Sitting down with Claiborne County's fire chiefs to talk public safety

What Others Are Saying

From Michael's Former Supervisor

For over a decade I had the privilege of serving with Michael Cavins during my career with the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency. I was fortunate to be his immediate supervisor and I must say that I've seen few people with the desire to serve the community and public that Michael had during my tenure. The most solid recommendation one law enforcement officer can give to another is to say that officer is "squared away", and Michael met that high bar by being squared away, time and time again.

In the way he intensely prepared for prosecuting cases in court, to his investigative skills, as well as being responsive to the needs of the Claiborne County community and respecting the rights granted to all of us under the Tennessee and U.S. Constitutions, Michael has always been a top tier peace officer. I witnessed Michael always representing himself, his community, and his agency in a professional manner. I've known him to respond to calls for assistance and expertise at all hours of the day and night, stay at the scene of incidents for days without going home, and to always put the public and their safety and well-being first.

To say simply that Michael Cavins cares for the people of Claiborne County is an understatement. Michael Cavins is the embodiment of "service before self" and I consider it a privilege to not only have supervised and served with him, but to endorse him as the next sheriff of Claiborne County.

Sergeant Brent A. Harrison (Ret.)

From the Claiborne Progress

These awards are tangible proof that Cavins has shown outstanding performance in his duties, achieving well-earned recognition among all TWRA law enforcement personnel.

In addition to his duties as a wildlife officer, Cavins stays active in public outreach and community service within his home-based county and district. He works closely with the Claiborne school system, conducting several programs during the year. Claiborne and Hancock Counties were fortunate to have Cavins deeply involved in the Farm Bureau Farm Day events.

He serves on the Cumberland Gap High School Advisory Career Development Committee and has helped with the National Wild Turkey Federation "Jake's Day" event in Campbell County. He has also been an eager participant of the "Shop with a Cop" events held in Scott County.

Claiborne Progress

"Cavins earns multiple wildlife awards" — December 14, 2023

Read the full article

From a Claiborne County Neighbor

I am very thankful for everyone and I am very thankful for Michael Cavins with the TWRA. If it wasn't for him, we would still be in that hollow. He does a lot for our community and gets over looked and I appreciate him and everyone else.

Travis West

"Claiborne County man hit by falling tree now in recovery" — WATE 6 On Your Side, November 8, 2021