RALEIGH, N.C. — These days John Baker spends more time playing with his grandchildren than he does playing politics.

But the former Wake County Sheriff wants his old job back.

After a 24-year-reign as sheriff, the Democrat lost to Republican Donnie Harrison in 2002.

"I feel compelled on the inside because I didn't go out the way I wanted to," Baker said. "Right after that election, I started preparing for '06."

Back in 2002, just 2,100 votes separated the candidates. In fact, it was so close it took several days to declare a winner. People at the Wake County Board of Elections had to count all of the provisional ballots.

" Had I lost the election by 10,000 or 15,000 votes that would say 'John you better go somewhere and sit down,'" Baker said. "With 2,100 votes that doesn't say that's a mandate on your leadership."

Harrison is proud of what he has accomplished in two years.

"I love what I do, I'm honored to be the sheriff, it's a privilege to be the sheriff of Wake County," Harrison said.

He's known as a hands-on leader who spends as much time behind the wheel of a patrol car as he does behind a desk.

"Politics doesn't play into it when it comes to law enforcement as far as I'm concerned," Harrison said. "I was elected to do a job and I'm going to continue to do it regardless of who runs."