Gabe Morgan is a candidate for Newport News Sheriff and is running as a Democrat. His name will appear on the November 4, 2025 General Election ballot. Morgan, the incumbent, is running against Francis Jacobson, an Independent candidate.
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10 On Your Side reached out to all of the candidates running in this race, with a request for a bio and a list of questions to answer. The bio is unedited; this is what the candidate submitted. If you do not see the candidate listed with a profile, we did not receive one.
Name: Gabe Morgan
Age: 69
Website: https://gabemorgan.com/
Party: Democratic
Biography
Sheriff Gabriel Morgan, Sr. is currently serving his third five-year term as Sheriff of Newport News, Virginia, having first taken office on January 1, 2006.
He leads an agency with a budget exceeding $35 million and a dedicated staff of more than 250 professionals, providing a wide range of essential public safety functions. These include the custody and care of over 500 prisoners daily, the protection of courts and judges, the service of court documents, and the enforcement of the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia. As Sheriff, he also serves as the Executive Officer of the Courts.
Leadership and Guiding Principles
From the beginning of his tenure, Sheriff Morgan instituted major policy reforms rooted in his guiding principles:
Justice for All
Service to Others
An Abiding Love for His Community
He encourages transparency and public engagement, inviting citizens to review his annual reports, available online or at city libraries.
State and National Leadership
Sheriff Morgan is a recognized leader across Virginia and the nation. His service includes:
Commission on Mental Health Law Reform (2007): Appointed by Chief Justice Leroy R. Hassell, Sr., where he chaired the Emergency and Temporary Detention Orders Subcommittee, leading to significant legislative reforms.
Interagency Civil Admissions Advisory Council: Appointed by Governor Timothy M. Kaine.
Governor’s Task Force on Improving Mental Health Services and Crisis Response: Appointed by Gov. Robert F. McDonnell (2013) and reappointed by Gov. Terry R. McAuliffe (2014).
Christopher Newport University Board of Visitors (2014 -2022): Appointed by Gov. McAuliffe.
Riverside Health System: Currently serves as Chair of the Board of Directors.
National Institute of Corrections Advisory Board: Appointed Chairman by two U.S. Attorneys General.
Advocacy for Youth and Community
Sheriff Morgan is a tireless advocate for children and youth. Since 2007, he has promoted evidence-based programs proven to reduce crime and violence, such as voluntary home visiting, high-quality early education, and interventions to support at-risk youth.
His leadership in youth violence prevention and racial equity has been recognized nationally. In 2014, Fight Crime: Invest in Kids honored him as Law Enforcement Leader of the Year for championing investments in children and communities.
Education and Military Service
Sheriff Morgan is a graduate of:
University of the State of New York at Albany
U.S. Army Command and General Staff College
National Sheriffs’ Institute, 90th Session
Prior to his election, he served as Special Agent-in-Charge for the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles, leading investigations into fraud, dealer-related crimes, and transportation tax evasion.
Sheriff Morgan also served over 21 years in the U.S. Army, entering as a private and rising to the rank of commissioned officer. His military service included command of the Area Confinement Facility at Ft. Knox, Kentucky, where he introduced vocational programs that saved resources while rehabilitating inmates.
He was named Best Counterterrorism Senior Program Manager (1997) by the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Low-Intensity Conflict and Terrorism. His service took him across the globe, including the Middle East, Africa, Bosnia, Croatia, Haiti, Korea, and Europe. He retired as the Information Systems Security Officer for the U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command at Ft. Monroe, Virginia.
His military honors include:
Meritorious Service Medal (4 Oak Leaf Clusters)
Army Commendation Medal (7 Oak Leaf Clusters)
Humanitarian Service Medal (with Oak Leaf)
Southwest Asia Service Medal
NATO – Yugoslavia Service Medal
Liberation of Kuwait Medals (Kuwait & Saudi Arabia)
Boards and Commissions
City of Newport News Public Safety Committee
Hampton-Newport News Community Criminal Justice Board (Chairman)
Virginia Sheriffs’ Association (Past President)
Hampton Roads Criminal Justice Training Academy (Past Chairman, Executive Board of Directors)
Virginia Law Enforcement Professional Standards Commission (Past Chairman & Commissioner)
Interagency Civil Admissions Advisory Council (Board Member)
Supreme Court of Virginia Commission on Mental Health Law Reform (Chairman, EDO/TDO Subcommittee)
National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives
National Sheriffs’ Association (Board of Directors; Chairman – Jail & Detention, Courts & Transportation, and Education Committees)
Civic and Community Involvement
Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. – Life Member, Hampton-Newport News Alumni Chapter
American Legion – Life Member, Post 368
Disabled American Veterans – Life Member, Chapter 2
NAACP – Member
Bernardine Franciscan Sisters Foundation, Past Chairman
Virginia Peninsula Foodbank
If you are elected, what will be your top priority in office?
Community safety has always been, and will always remain, my top priority. Because without safety, nothing else in a community can thrive. I believe in enforcing the law, but I also believe in working hand-in-hand with our citizens. That means investing in our young people, pushing for mental health reform, and advancing criminal justice programs that are not just tough on crime, but smart on crime. That’s the approach that builds stronger neighborhoods and lasting trust.
What is the top challenge facing modern day law enforcement? If elected, how would you address it?
From my perspective, the most pressing challenges are multifaceted: addressing gun violence, tackling substance abuse, expanding mental health services, and reversing the decline in law enforcement recruits. I remain committed to our youth through outreach programs rooted in our schools and neighborhoods. I will partner with state and federal representatives to advance universal background checks for firearm purchases. I will press for expanded mental health resources and fight for fair wages, benefits, and wellness programs for the men and women who serve.
How should local law enforcement interact with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement?
First and foremost, all government agencies, including ICE, must respect the law and the U.S. Constitution—full stop. My duty is to protect the people of Newport News. That means my office arrests and detains only individuals with a warrant or judicial order. We will not participate in ICE operations, but we do coordinate with ICE to prevent conflicts and to ensure that individuals with criminal warrants are held accountable.
How do you work with others you don’t agree with?
At the end of the day, it’s about doing what’s right for our community. I don’t shy away from disagreement, but I never make it personal. I listen, I explain my position, and I focus on finding common ground so we can move forward together.
