Karl Bickel

About this race

The county's chief law-enforcement officer. Runs the sheriff's office and usually the county jail, patrols areas outside city police departments, and serves court papers.

2 candidates ran for Frederick County Sheriff in the general election on Tuesday, November 3, 2026.

Immigration enforcement (ICE 287(g))

ICE's list of 287(g) participating agencies shows no agreement for Frederick County's sheriff's office.

Under 287(g), ICE trains and authorizes local officers to carry out some federal immigration duties. From ICE's list of participating agencies, as of October 28, 2026. Whether to keep, change or end an agreement is up to the sheriff.

About Karl Bickel

Retired U.S. Department of Justice senior policy analyst. Karl Bickel is a retired U.S. Department of Justice senior policy analyst and a former high-ranking deputy in the Frederick County Sheriff's Office. He won the June 2026 Democratic primary for sheriff; this is his fourth run for the office after campaigns in 2014, 2018 and 2022.

What they say they'll focus on:

• Ethics reforms and integrity in the sheriff's office

Summarized in our words from source 1, source 2, checked October 2026. Not an endorsement.

Where they stand

We place candidates only from a published academic score (from a voting record or campaign donors) or from enough of their own statements on policy, and we haven't found either for Karl Bickel that we can reliably source yet.

We haven't found a campaign site or candidate questionnaire for Karl Bickel yet. What they say they'll focus on is listed above.

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Funding

$14K raised.

Source: Maryland State Board of Elections, reports through 2026-10-18.

More about Karl Bickel

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Also running

• Chuck Jenkins · Republican

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Next elections here

• 2028 presidential election · Who has filed so far, from FEC filings

Quick answers

What party is Karl Bickel?

Karl Bickel is running as a Democrat.

What does the Frederick County Sheriff seat do?

The county's chief law-enforcement officer. Runs the sheriff's office and usually the county jail, patrols areas outside city police departments, and serves court papers.

Who is Karl Bickel running against?

Chuck Jenkins, for Frederick County Sheriff.

How much money has Karl Bickel raised?

$14K as of the latest state campaign-finance filings.

Should I vote for Karl Bickel?

SpectrumVote doesn't endorse anyone or tell you how to vote. Compare Karl Bickel's record, funding and endorsements with the other candidates in this race and decide based on what matters to you.