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Federal Contests
U.S. Senate
Roy Cooper
Former Governor and Attorney General of North Carolina, Candidate for the United States Senate
I was born and raised in Nash County. My mom was a public school…
teacher and I attended public schools and worked summers on the farm. I represented everyday people and small businesses while practicing law in Rocky Mount, North Carolina, where I taught Sunday School for decades and raised three beautiful daughters with my wife Kristin. As Attorney General, I prosecuted thousands of violent criminals and kept them behind bars and protected North Carolina families, small businesses, and seniors. As Governor, I worked with Republicans to crack down on fentanyl and other drugs coming over the border. I led North Carolina to be one of the fastest-growing states in the nation with a good quality of life, a strong education system, more affordable health care, and better-paying jobs. I’m running for Senate to lower costs for working families and to be an independent voice for all North Carolinians.
Shannon Bray
Microsoft Certified Master
Shannon Bray is a technology leader, entrepreneur and U.S. Senate…
candidate from North Carolina with more than two decades of experience in enterprise systems, cybersecurity, and digital transformation. He has worked across government and industry helping organizations modernize infrastructure, protect sensitive data, and solve complex operational challenges. Bringing a solutions-first mindset to public service, Shannon believes the same principles that make technology succeed should guide government: clarity, accountability, and measurable results. His policy focus includes economic opportunity, innovation, data privacy, and restoring trust in institutions by applying real-world experience instead of career politics. An author and small business owner, Shannon advocates for individual liberty, responsible governance, and practical problem-solving, approaching leadership the way an engineer approaches systems: understand the problem, design with care, and build for the long term.
Michael Whately
This candidate has not yet submitted data
This candidate has not yet submitted data
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Darryl Farrow
Candidate has not yet submitted data
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Marcus Williams
Candidate has not yet submitted data
Candidate has not yet submitted data
Orrick Quick
Pastor, Community Leader, Speaker, Entrepreneur
Orrick Quick is a…
North Carolina pastor, community leader, motivational speaker, and entrepreneur who is running for U.S. Senate to challenge politics as usual and restore trust between government and the people. Raised in a family that overcame deep economic hardship, Orrick learned early the importance of integrity, discipline, and standing up to broken systems. For more than a decade he has served in churches, schools, and outreach programs—mentoring youth, supporting immigrant families, helping children become published authors, and walking with seniors through life transitions. His campaign is built on three pillars: ending government overreach, stopping what he calls “constitutional witchcraft” where laws are twisted to justify injustice, and taking care of the people who pay into the system by ensuring seniors, veterans, and working families receive the care they have earned.
Justin Dues
Working Class Fighter
As a Marine Corps veteran, entrepreneur…
and advocate for working families, Justin Dues brings disciplined leadership, real-world business experience, and a systems-level understanding of how policy impacts everyday life. He’s built teams, navigated complex institutions, and speaks plainly about fixing broken systems rather than protecting them. His #1 priority in the U.S. Senate is basic affordability—lowering the cost of housing, moving towards universal healthcare and by taking on monopolies, corruption, and policies that rig the economy against working people.
Robert Colon
Concerned Citizen
I am a caretaker, volunteer, and Eagle…
Scout. I want to do all that I can for the people. I take as my guide the Constitution of the United States. I have lived in North Carolina since 2004, and want to leave it a better place than I found it.
Elizabeth Temple
Public School Teacher
I taught in the public schools until 2019…
then began teaching privately. I graduated at East Carolina University with master’s degree in education. I also worked as choir director and organist at Methodist and Baptist Churches while teaching, I am a current licensed teacher K-12 at NCDPI (see NCDPI.com licensure lookup) then see my name, Elizabeth Anne Temple. I was married once. I have three nieces, Lily, Ahnala, and Willow Temple, and you will see them online, they play sports in public schools,
Don Brown
Constitutional Attorney
As a constitutional attorney, former JAG officer…
and U.S. federal prosecutor, Don Brown has spent his career defending the rule of law, holding criminals accountable, and protecting the rights guaranteed by our Constitution. He has seen firsthand how runaway federal spending, bloated bureaucracy, and weak enforcement have damaged public trust and national security. Don is running to balance the budget, rein in wasteful spending, and shrink a federal government that has grown far beyond its constitutional limits. He believes a smaller, accountable government serves the people — not the other way around. He is committed to protecting constitutional freedoms, including free speech and the Second Amendment, and to restoring lawful, secure immigration that puts American citizens and legal immigrants first. Don Brown isn’t running to manage decline — he’s running to restore accountability, sovereignty, and constitutional government.
Margot Dupre
This candidate has not yet submitted data
This candidate has not yet submitted data
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Thomas Johnson
Former Founder & CEO of Agile Immersive Consulting
U.S. leaders who best understand…
the American promise are rarely those born closest to power, but those who travel farthest to reach it. Thomas Johnson is this kind of overcomer. Raised in foster care and adopted at age five, he learned early how institutions can fail or save those entrusted to them. That experience shaped a leadership style grounded in resilience. Johnson earned admission to the United States Air Force Academy, serving as an Air Force officer and later as a CIA Fellow, where foresight mattered more than recognition. At the National Reconnaissance Office, he helped build next-generation intelligence satellites and forecast the commercial space revolution. After government service, Johnson advised institutions at Lockheed Martin, Capital One, and Accenture before founding Agile Immersive, trusted by companies including T-Mobile, MetLife, and FedEx. An annual lecturer on AI in Germany, award-winning screenwriter, and foster-care advocate, Johnson honors God and family.
Michele Morrow
This candidate has not yet submitted data
This candidate has not yet submitted data
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Richard Dansie
Sr. Network Security Engineer
Focused on results and not rhetoric..
I want to protect liberty while incentivizing fiscal discipline and using logical consistency with policy. We need to redistribute power back to the people from Congressional leadership and lobbyists. It will not change by continuing to the same things we have been doing, and I’m suggesting different solutions that are capitalist and liberty oriented.
U.S. House of Representatives District 01
Don Davis
Incumbent Congressman (NC-01)
Don Davis is a U.S. Air Force veteran, educator, former mayor…
and six-term state senator who has dedicated his life to serving eastern North Carolina. Raised in a rural community, Davis grew up working in tobacco fields to help pay for clothes and school supplies. Through hard work, Davis earned his way into the U.S. Air Force Academy and served eight years as a commissioned officer. As a first lieutenant he coordinated Air Force One and CODEL operations, in addition to supporting military families as a mortuary officer.As a six-term state senator, Davis passed legislation expanding health care, lowering utility costs, funding rural schools, and increasing broadband access. Now in Congress, he is recognized as one of the most bipartisan members, working across party lines to support our veterans, national security, Social Security and Medicare, and expand access to health care, jobs, infrastructure, and education. Davis is married to Yuvonka, and lives with their three sons.
Tom Bailey
Decorated veteran
A Vietnam veteran and longtime Libertarian, Tom Bailey has spent…
decades advancing ballot access, election integrity, and limited government in North Carolina. He has managed and supported numerous local and state campaigns, bringing practical experience in grassroots organizing and election law. A former member of the Libertarian Party of North Carolina Executive Committee and former Chairman of the LPNC Legal Action Committee, he helped lead the federal lawsuit McLoughlin v. Marsh, advocating for open and fair elections. His work reflects a consistent commitment to constitutional principles, individual liberty, and transparent governance. Drawing on both military service and political leadership, he offers experience, persistence, and an independent voice dedicated to protecting voter rights and expanding electoral access for all citizens.
Laurie Buckhout
U.S. Army Colonel (Ret.)
Laurie Buckhout is a retired Army Colonel and decorated combat…
commander, having earned the Bronze Star, the Combat Action Badge and the Distinguished Service Medal throughout her career. She is also a trained Paratrooper. Laurie most recently served in President Trump’s administration as the Acting Assistant Secretary of Defense for Cyber Policy. Laurie has led troops in combat, is a very successful small businesswoman, and is running for Congress to stand with President Trump and his America First Agenda, working to lower costs for working families and deporting criminal aliens who have invaded our country. Laurie and her husband Paul, a retired officer who is a West Point graduate and Army Infantry Airborne Ranger who served with Delta Force, recently celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary. They reside in Edenton, North Carolina where they are very active in supporting Veterans, conservative causes, the local baseball team (Go Steamers!) They have two adult children.
Asa Buck
Carteret County Sheriff
I am a Beaufort native and ECU graduate with a degree in Criminal…
Justice, entering my 20th year of service as Carteret County’s Sheriff. I want to expand the opportunity to serve the 23 counties of the new First Congressional District.
I will use the citizen-first, common sense approach I have implemented in my time as Sheriff to my service in Congress. This will include what I consider to be the litmus test of Conservatism in any legislative issue I encounter. Lower taxes, Less Government and More Individual Freedom. By sticking to these priorities, I will not only serve my constituents but also empower them. This is important because I believe that the answers to the vast majority of problems facing our area do not lie with more intervention by the Federal Government, but instead by empowering the people by unburdening them from the overreach of Washington D.C.
Bobby Hanig
NC State Senator District 1
Bobby Hanig is a proven conservative leader…
who has delivered real results for Eastern North Carolina. A State Senator, small business owner, and U.S. Army veteran, Hanig has spent his career fighting for working families, local businesses, farmers, watermen, veterans, and the values that make our communities strong. In the General Assembly, Bobby Hanig has helped pass President Trump’s agenda by toughening laws on illegal immigration, cutting taxes, keeping boys out of girls’ sports and locker rooms, ending DEI mandates, and standing up to the radical left. He didn’t just talk about conservative principles — he voted for them. Hanig has built a business, balanced real budgets, and understands the challenges families face when government overreaches. After serving his country in uniform, Bobby is once again stepping forward to serve. Eastern North Carolina deserves a conservative fighter who will put America First and never forget where he comes from. That leader is Bobby Hanig.
Eric Rouse
Lenoir County Commissioner
Born & raised in Eastern NC…
Eric is a small business owner and job creator. Eric is a Day One supporter of President Trump and the America First Agenda. As a county commissioner Eric has never voted for a tax or fee increase. Eric has his Commercial’s Drivers License (CDL) if he ever needs to deliver his business’ equipment himself. He lives in Eastern North Carolina with his wife, two children, and three dogs. He is a licensed firearms dealer and a lifetime member of the NRA.
Ashley-Nicole Russell
U.S. Congressional Candidate, North Carolina’s 1st District
Ashley Nicole Russell is running for North Carolina’s 1st
Congressional District to put families first and fight the Washington swamp head-on. A North Carolina attorney and small business owner, Russell knows the economy comes first. Families are being crushed by higher grocery and healthcare costs while career politicians keep spending trillions and driving inflation.She supports term limits, a Balanced Budget Amendment, and commonsense policies that put working families ahead of Washington insiders. She will fight to stop runaway federal spending, cut red tape for small businesses, and restore accountability in Congress.Russell is a mother of four who is committed to protecting children from radical woke ideology, keeping biological boys out of girls’ sports, banning sex-change procedures for minors, and restoring parents’ rights. She will always defend the Second Amendment without compromise. A committed supporter of President Donald Trump and his America First agenda, Russell will work to secure the border, finish the wall, fully fund Border Patrol and ICE, stop fentanyl, and deport illegal immigrants.Russell brings real-world experience to the race. She is the founder and CEO of AN|R Law, North Carolina’s first collaborative family law firm, which she has grown across Greenville, Raleigh, Beaufort, and Wilmington. Today, Ashley and her team serve families in all 100 North Carolina counties, providing practical guidance to parents navigating life’s toughest moments. She also owns a successful marketing firm and has built multiple small businesses in retail and food service, giving her firsthand experience meeting payroll, managing rising costs, and cutting through government red tape. Her work has been recognized by The Washington Post and Forbes, with appearances on ABC, NBC, and CBS. Ashley has received honors including “Leader in the Law,” North Carolina Super Lawyer, Small Business Leader of the Year from the Greenville–Pitt County Chamber of Commerce, the Better Business Bureau Spark Award, and Appalachian State University’s Alumnus of the Year. She has helped advance family-law reforms across seven states and was part of a collaborative-law team recognized for promoting peaceful, family-centered resolutions. Ashley Nicole Russell is running because Eastern North Carolina deserves a representative who will fight unapologetically for faith, family, freedom, and an economy that works for everyday people.
State Contests
N.C. Senate District 02
Roy Surrett
Carteret County Democratic Party Chair
I am running for NC State Senate (NC2) to provide
the ethical, accountable leadership District 2 deserves. A 1985 Wake Forest graduate married to a native North Carolinian, I served as a senior leader for the U.S. Department of Defense, managing global and national security issues. While my career took me worldwide, our family roots remained deeply planted here. My wife and I retired to North Carolina for our deep love of this state, but I cannot stay on the sidelines while our communities and families face significant challenges. Our district is a unique blend of rural tradition and coastal beauty, now on the front lines of climate change. I will champion: Health Care: Ensuring affordable, local access for every family; Education: Fully supporting our teachers and rural schools; Infrastructure: Strengthening shorelines and protecting our heritage against future storms. I am running to protect this State that has given so much to me and my family for over forty years
Norman Sanderson
This candidate has not yet submitted any data
This candidate has not yet submitted data
N.C. House of Representatives District 013
Jason Moore
Candidate has not yet submitted data
Candidate has not yet submitted any data
Celeste Cairns
Incumbent District 13 State Representative
Celeste is a Deputy Majority Whip…
She is a Chair of the Alcohol Beverage Control Committee, Vice-Chair of the Commerce and Economic Development Committee, and Vice-Chair of Appropriations (Agriculture, Natural and Economic Resources). She also serves as a member of the Energy and Public Utilities Committee, the Homeland Security, Military and VA Committee, and the newly created Select Committee on Blockchain and Digital Assets. She is a former CPA, as well as a military wife and mom of more than 30 years. Her husband, Rob, is a retired Army Special Forces officer who now works with the Marine Corps at Camp Lejeune. Celeste and Rob have two adult married children: Nate, a police officer, and Kathryn, an Army Captain (Physical Therapist), both of whom are graduates of ECU. She has one grandbaby, Noah, and she is hoping for many more!
Judicial Contests
N.C. Supreme Court Associate Justice Seat 01
Anita Earls
Senior Associate Justice
Justice Anita Earls is an experienced jurist and former civil rights attorney…
Elected to the Supreme Court in 2018, she is running for reelection. Her values of justice, equality, and fairness for all were born of the struggle she experienced growing up in a mixed-race family at a time when interracial marriages were illegal in most of the country. These values shaped her passion to fight for the rights of ordinary citizens across North Carolina. For over 30 years, she stood alongside people whose right to vote was denied, people who were mistreated at work, and the parents of children being denied equal educational opportunities. Anita’s legal career began at the Ferguson, Stein firm in Charlotte. She served as a Deputy Assistant Attorney General in the U.S. Department of Justice, and then worked at the UNC Center for Civil Rights. In 2007, Anita founded the Southern Coalition for Social Justice.
Sarah Stevens
Candidate has not yet submitted data
Candidate has not yet submitted any data
N.C. Court of Appeals
Judge Seat 01
John Arrowood
This candidate has not yet submitted data
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Michael C. Byrne
NC Administrative Law Judge
Administrative Law Judge Michael C. Byrne
is running for Court of Appeals, a statewide office. After years of trial and appellate practice in NC and Federal courts, Michael restricted his practice in 2008 to representing law enforcement and public employees. He personally litigated more than 20 cases in the Court of Appeals and Supreme Court and assisted on several others. Michael is the only NC Court of Appeals candidate endorsed by the National Association of Police Organizations (NAPO), which represents over 140,000 police officers.Michael has been a NC Administrative Law Judge since 2020. Nine of his decisions were reviewed by the Court of Appeals. All were unanimously affirmed. Michael’s judicial philosophy is: “Get the law right.” He is a constitutional conservative who believes in fairness, giving all sides a chance to be heard, and deciding cases strictly based on the law, without fear or favor.
Judge Seat 02
Tobias Hampson
This candidate has not yet submitted data
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George Cooper Bell
This candidate has not yet submitted data
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Judge Seat 03
Christine Marie Walczyk
District Court Judge Wake County
Judge Christine Walczyk is one of the…
longest serving district court judges in our state. She has spent three decades working in the North Carolina legal system. Before joining the court, Judge Walczyk owned and operated her own law firm. For over a decade, she represented employees, small family-run businesses, indigent adults and juveniles charged with crimes.Judge Walczyk is focused on building trust and confidence in the judicial system and safeguarding the individual liberties enshrined in our constitution. Her candidacy brings extensive judicial experience, professionalism, and integrity to a court that makes critical decisions about housing rights, worker’s rights, the right to parent and educate children and the right to vote. Judge Walczyk is the only woman running for a seat on the North Carolina Court of Appeals in 2026. If elected, she will be the only Democratic woman serving on the court.
Craig Collins
Superior Court Judge
Judge Collins spent the first nine years…
of his career as an Assistant District Attorney followed by nine years running his own law firm. He was then appointed as a District Court Judge, followed by two successful elections as District Court Judge. He was then elected as a Superior Court Judge and is now running for NC Court of Appeals. Judge Collins opposes legislating from the bench, follows the Constitution, and will always protect our God given rights.
District Attorney District 4
Matt Wareham
This candidate has not yet submitted data
This candidate has not yet submitted data
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NC Court of Appeals Judge Seat 01
Matt Smith
Current NC Superior Court Judge
Elected as a Superior Court Judge and a…
District Court Judge in Union County. Before elected as a Judge, I spent nearly 19 years as a trial lawyer.
NC Court of Appeals Judge Seat 01
James Weldon Whalen
Attorney
James Whalen is an attorney on the front…
lines defending our rights in appellate courts. Last year, he defended Justice Allison Riggs’s win and stopped a dangerous attempt to steal an election. In our Department of Justice, he fought gerrymandering and held domestic abusers acccountable. James has the appropriate experience in the court he is running to join. He’s running for the Court of Appeals to uphold our rights. James lives with his wife and son in Raleigh.
Local Contests
Carteret County Board of Commissioners
District 01
District 02
Steven Overby
Government Affairs Committee Chairman, Swansboro Area Chamber of Commerce
I’m a community-oriented small business owner…
who serves as chairman of the Government Affairs Committee for the Swansboro Area Chamber of Commerce, representing Western Carteret County. I also volunteer as a youth basketball coach in our county. As a native of District 1, I have a strong understanding of our district’s history and its needs. I’m running to be an effective, conservative voice focused on prioritizing infrastructure, public safety, education, and fiscal responsibility. District 1 and Carteret County as a whole are experiencing inevitable growth, making long-term strategic planning essential to ensure economic stability and future prosperity. The foundation of my campaign is engaging with the people I seek to serve—listening to your concerns and representing your voice. I’m committed to supporting policies that improve quality of life and reflect the will of the people. Call me at 910-554-6924 with any questions. I’d be honored to earn your vote.
Chuck Shinn
This candidate has not yet submitted data
This candidate has not yet submitted data
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District 03
District 06
Chris Monteleon
This candidate has not yet submitted data
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Jimmy Paylor
This candidate has not yet submitted data
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Chris Chadwick
Incumbent County Commissioner
I am a Carteret County native and graduate of East…
Carteret High School and Pitt Community College. I have made my home in Stacy for the past thirty years with my wife, Kathryn. We have two children, William, an NC State grad, and Larrington, currently at NC State. We have built numerous successful businesses Down East and created jobs for our community. I have served as an Assistant Scoutmaster with Troop 252, a member of the Crissie Wright Lodge, Sudan Shriners, the NC Fisheries Association, and the Core Sound Waterfowl Museum. I am currently serving on the Carteret County Marine Fisheries Advisory Board, the Harbor Authority Waterways Committee, Partnership for Children, the Chairman of the Airport Authority, the Rural Transportation Advisory Committee, and as Chairman of the Board of Commissioners. I attend Atlantic Missionary Baptist Church. I understand the heritage, tradition, and local values. I will continue to work tirelessly to maintain balance and bring our citizens the resources to keep Carteret County a great place to live and work.
Carteret County Board of Education
District 01
District 03
Anne Scott
Substitute Teacher
My name is Anne Scott. I’m running to represent District 1 on the Carteret…
County School Board because I’m committed to helping students and teachers reach their full potentials. Since moving to Carteret County in 2009, I have devoted myself to service in many forms- teaching Sunday School and being Chair of the Childcare Committee at SUMC, member of White Oak Elementary School PTO Board, Parent Advisory Council, Athletics Boosters, and Band Boosters at Croatan High School, and serving on multiple community outreach committees including the Cape Carteret Trail and Carteret Health Care Foundation. I’ve had the joy of substitute teaching locally since 2016 while supporting my husband’s dental practice as an administrative assistant. I believe that raising and educating children requires a true partnership between parents, teachers, and the community. My respect for others, strong work ethic, and collaborative spirit make me well-qualified to serve on the School Board.
Clark Jenkins
This candidate has not yet submitted data
This candidate has not yet submitted data
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District 05
District 06
Brooke Cash
District 5 Board of Education Candidate
After graduating from Elon University in 2007…
Brooke obtained a Master of Arts in Teaching (P-5) before starting her career in Atlanta. To refine her instructional craft, Brooke received specialized training from Columbia University in developing young readers and writers. Her devotion to her students extends beyond the classroom, with Brooke developing student athletes as a middle and high school coach. Brooke has immersed herself in the community since moving to Carteret County with her husband and three sons, serving as the PTO Co-President at Beaufort Elementary and a board member of the Carteret Education Foundation. She has also taken on leadership roles at Ann Street Preschool, Beaufort Wine and Food, Project Christmas Cheer and the Crystal Coast Economic Development Foundation. Brooke is most guided by her faith in Jesus Christ, her traditional values and a calling to serve children and families in her local community.
Kathryn Smith Chadwick
Incumbent School Board Member
I am an Atlantic native, graduated from East Carteret High School…
and attended CCC. I have made my home in Stacy for over 30 years with my husband, Chris. Together, we have built Harkers Island RV, Atlantic RV Resort, and Wild Will’s Revenge Restaurant. We have two children, William, an NC State graduate, and Larrington, a sophomore at NC State. I have served on the Carteret County Board of Education as Chair, Vice Chair, and Member since 2018. I have served the School Foundation board since 2014. I have served on the East Carteret Parent Advisory, the Down East Middle PTO and Advisory, the Atlantic Elementary PTO and Advisory, the Core Sound Waterfowl Museum, the Crystal Coast Republican Women’s & Men’s Club, and the NC Fisheries Association, and attend Atlantic Missionary Baptist Church. I love our school system and am proud to have served the children, families, and staff for the past eight years.
Other Local Offices
Carteret County Sheriff
John Nyberg
Candidate for Carteret County Sheriff, Chief Deputy
I respectfully ask for your support in my campaign for the Office of Sheriff I have served the citizens of North Carolina and Carteret County since 1988 as a law enforcement officer…
I have a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice from ECU and successfully completed the semester long Administrative Officers Management Program offered by NCSU. I retired from the State Highway Patrol at the rank of Captain and served as the Troop A Commander for the final 7 years of my career. In that role, I was responsible for the leadership of approximately 140 uniformed and civilian personnel, a communication center, radio shop and vehicle garage. For the past 10 years I have worked with Sheriff Buck in several roles. I began as a volunteer and part-time employee processing Concealed Carry Permits, served as an administrator in the Detention Center and for 2 years I have served as Chief Deputy managing multiple divisions and our Office budget. Carteret County has been my home for 21 years.
Franklin Rice
Petitioner for Carteret County Sheriff
Franklin Rice is a longtime Carteret County citizen with over two decades of law enforcement experience serving the…
community he calls home. Throughout his career, he has worked in multiple areas of law enforcement and leadership, always guided by strong standards, accountability, and service to citizens. Franklin is running for Sheriff because he believes the office should be unaffiliated and independent, focused on upholding the law fairly and consistently and without answering to political parties or partisan interests. Public safety and the rule of law should come first, every time. His campaign is built on community policing, clear standards, accountability, crime prevention, youth and family safety, and training and wellness. Franklin believes the Sheriff should be present, approachable, and engaged with the community, working alongside citizens to keep Carteret County safe. http://www.riceforsheriff.org https://www.facebook.com/FranklinRiceforSheriff
Carteret County Clerk of Superior Court
Carteret County Register of Deeds
Ken Raper
Clerk of Superior Court
Born and Raised in Eastern North Carolina with 40 plus years of…
Law Enforcement Experience. Retired North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation Special Agent in June of 2002 and Retired Chief Deputy for the Carteret County Sheriff’s Office in November 2018. First elected Carteret County Clerk of Superior Court in 2018. I am currently running unopposed for the 2026 Election Cycle for the Office of Carteret County Clerk of Superior Court. The Office of Clerk of Superior Court is a State Constitutional Office which is at the center of all Judicial Proceedings in each of the 100 counties in the State of North Carolina. The Clerk of Superior Court is a vital part to the local administration of justice and is a complex and diverse position which has many important responsibilities for the Office. Unlike Clerks of Court in other States, the Clerk of Superior Court in North Carolina is a Judge. As Judge of Probate, the Clerk hears matters relating to the probate of wills, and the administration of estates, including the appointment of personal representatives, auditing the accounting of those representatives and removing them from office if necessary. The Clerk also presides over adoptions, Incompetency and guardianship proceedings, legitimations, name changes, condemnations of private lands for public use, partitions of property, foreclosures and many other civil matters. The Clerk as Record Keeper is responsible for the security of all official filings, for lawsuits, civil actions, criminal proceedings and other matters brought before the court, with the exception of juvenile files, adoption records, and other confidential records that are kept secure and are only reviewed by court order from a Judge.
Karen Hardesty
Carteret County Register of Deeds
Raised in the Down East community of Sea Level, Karen Hardesty…
is a graduate of East Carteret High School and a lifelong resident of Carteret County. She and her late husband, Jerry Hardesty, owned and operated Hardesty Guns for 25 years, building a successful small business rooted in customer service and fiscal responsibility. After Jerry’s passing in 2017, she completed his term as Carteret County Register of Deeds and has since run unopposed. She has focused on bringing sound business practices and organizational structure to the office, modernizing daily operations while saving taxpayer dollars by completing projects in-house. Her commitment remains centered on efficiency, transparency, and providing exceptional service to the citizens of Carteret County.
Carteret County Sheriff
Shane Guthrie
Retired Sergeant – Pitt County Sheriff’s Office
My reason for running for Sheriff is solely to make it Safer and Better for…
all the citizens who live in Carteret County. I was born and raised in Carteret County; my family lives here. This is my home; I just want to Protect it. My entire 30+ year career in Law Enforcement was working as a Sheriff Deputy, at a larger progressively advanced Sheriff’s Office. I will obtain Federal Grants to fund the many programs I will enact. I want to help save our elderly, save our children from child sex predators, work to prevent domestic violence, save the drug addicts, by getting them the resources to return to society, drug free. These are just a few of the many programs I will enact if elected. I want to advance the Carteret County Sheriff’s Office. I will lead by faith and enforce the laws with compassion. Visit: http://www.ShaneGuthrieforSheriff.Org
County Commissioner District 03
Bryan Nicklow
Patriot
Each County should have a good …
conspiracy-minded Patriot on the Board of Commissioners. I am competent and capable of voting on the typical functions of local government. However, I’ll hit harder on MAGA, MAHA, and DOGE like issues. I strive for a more connected community within our county. This is our Jubilee year, and we must all rededicate ourselves to the American Principles and Values that bore this great nation. It is a great time to be alive during this Golden Age of America. However, we must avoid the trap of subversive propaganda, as better days are ahead. Following my retirement from USMC in 2007, I moved to Carteret County. Over the past 16 years, my wife and I still operate the original three small businesses we started here in the county. I have a BS in Electronic Systems Technology, and I am a member of Tactical Civics.
Board of Education District 01
Stephanie Krzich
Incumbent Carteret County School Board Member
I’m Stephanie Krzich, your District 1 Carteret County School Board member…
I’m running for re-election to keep a strong, conservative voice at the table. I’m a mom of four boys, a wife, and an accountant. I’ve volunteered in our schools and for countless yout sports. I bring both a parent’s and financial perspective to the Board—two viewpoints that matter when decisions affect children and taxpayers.I’m a leader who listens. I don’t walk into decisions with my mind already made up. I seek input from educators, experts, and our parent advisory committees. I listen carefully, ask questions, and vote intentionally. I strongly value discussion and transparency. I believe that weighing pros and cons leads to better decisions.I will continue to advocate for increased supplemental pay for our educators, bus drivers, and coaches, for core academics, not gender ideology, and for meaningful parental involvement. I’m asking for your vote on March 3.
County Commisioner District 01
David Quinn
Incumbent District 1 County Commissioner
My name is David Quinn, and I am seeking re-election…
to continue representing District 1 on the Carteret County Board of Commissioners. I am a native son of Carteret County and a lifelong Conservative Republican. As a small business owner, I bring real-world experience to county government. I’ve signed the front of a paycheck and endorsed the back of one, and I understand that county budgets are made up of real taxpayer dollars. I never forget that those dollars come out of your pocket, and I keep that in mind when deciding how to spend—or not spend—your money. Serving as a county commissioner takes determination and commitment. I’m proud of delivering the Carteret Health Care Emergency Department in Cedar Point, supporting P.O.R.T. that reduced overdose deaths by 77%, and keeping property taxes low. From Broad Creek to Bogue, Ocean, Cape Carteret, Peletier, and Stella, we believe in God, family, service, and common sense. I humbly ask for your vote in the Republican primary
Morehead City Mayor Runoff (Nonpartisan)
Lee Anthony Stiles
Morehead City Councilman
Lee Anthony Stiles is a sitting Morehead City Councilman with…
a professional background rooted in public health, community engagement, and recovery services. He currently serves as a Post Overdose Response Coordinator at CarolinaEast Medical Center and is a Certified Peer Support Specialist with years of experience working in youth development, opioid prevention, reentry services, and community-based program leadership. Lee has worked with local and county health departments, educational institutions, nonprofit organizations, and faith-based groups to deliver real, on-the-ground solutions for families and individuals across Eastern North Carolina. Lee is running for Mayor of Morehead City because he believes it is time for a new era of leadership focused on transparency in government, investing in youth and families, and strategic growth planning that protects the character of the city while preparing for the future. He is committed to open communication, accountable leadership, and ensuring city decisions reflect the voices of the people. Please vote for Lee A. Stiles for Mayor of Morehead City on March 3rd.
Jerry Jones
This candidate has not yet submitted data
This candidate has not yet submitted data
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