Todd Wetherington News-Times
CARTERET COUNTY — Local candidates in North Carolina’s March 3 primary races will compete next week for the chance to represent their parties in the November general election. Election day will also determine the final outcome of the Morehead City mayoral race, a redo of a contest originally held in November 2025.
In the most closely watched local race, incumbent Morehead City Mayor Jerry Jones faces City Council member Lee Stiles for the second time. The North Carolina State Board of Elections ordered the new election after Jones filed a protest; he trailed by only one vote in the Nov. 4, 2025, municipal election.
Federal and County Races
In the race for Carteret County sheriff, current Sheriff Asa Buck is running for the U.S. House 1st District seat instead of seeking reelection. Two Republicans are vying to succeed him for a four-year term:
John Nyberg, Buck’s current chief deputy.
Shane Guthrie, a retired sergeant with the Pitt County Sheriff’s Office.
Buck joins a crowded field of Republican candidates in the 1st District primary, including:
Laurie Buckhout: A retired Army colonel who narrowly lost to incumbent Democrat Don Davis in 2024.
Bobby Hanig: Current North Carolina state senator for the 1st District.
Eric Rouse: Vice chair of the Lenoir County Board of Commissioners.
Ashley-Nicole Russell: A Greenville attorney.
The newly redrawn 1st District is considered one of the state’s most competitive. The primary winner will face Davis in November.
State Legislature and Local Boards
In other state races, incumbent Republican Norm Sanderson and Democrat Roy Surrett of Cape Carteret will represent their parties in November for the N.C. Senate District 2 seat. For the House District 13 seat, Democrat Jason Moore of Beaufort and Republican incumbent Celeste Cairns will face off in November for a two-year term.
Carteret County Board of Commissioners
Four seats are up for election in 2026 for four-year terms:
District 1: Republican incumbent David Quinn faces Republican Steven Overby.
District 2: Incumbent Chuck Shinn, a Republican, is running unopposed. No Democrat filed for the seat.
District 3: Incumbent Mark Mansfield is not seeking reelection. Republicans Jimmy Paylor and Bryan Nicklow have filed for the seat.
District 6: Board Chairman Chris Chadwick and Kane Gillikin will face off in the March primary.
Carteret County Board of Education
Four seats are up for election in Districts 1, 3, 5, and 6. The following Republicans have filed:
District 1: Incumbent Stephanie Krzich and Anne Scott. No Democrat filed.
District 3: Incumbent Clark Jenkins (unopposed).
District 5: Brooke Cash (unopposed).
District 6: Incumbent Kathryn Smith Chadwick (unopposed).
Clerk of Superior Court and Register of Deeds
Republican incumbents Ken Raper and Karen Hardesty, respectively, are running unopposed for four-year terms.
Voting Information
Early Voting: In-person early voting runs through Saturday, Feb. 28, from 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Election Day: Polls are open March 3 from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Identification: All voters must show a photo ID. Those without one may vote using a provisional ballot.
For a full list of candidates, visit the N.C. State Board of Elections website.
Leave a Reply