BY NICOLE BOWMAN-LAYTON
Attorney and small-business owner Ashley-Nicole Russell officially entered the race for North Carolina’s 1st Congressional District, filing her candidacy on Dec. 9, 2025, and becoming the fourth Republican to seek the seat representing much of eastern North Carolina.
Russell, who founded the first collaborative family law firm in the region and co-founded Michael & Russell, PLLC in Wilmington, announced her campaign with a message centered on “Faith, Family, and Freedom” and a pledge to support President Donald Trump’s agenda in Washington.
“For me, this is not about politics as usual — it’s about the people,” Russell said in a statement. “I have served families here. I have built businesses here. I know the challenges our farmers, fishermen, small-business owners, and veterans face every single day.”
As of Dec. 11, Russell will face three other Republicans in the May primary: Bobby Hanig of Powells Point; Eric Rouse of Kinston; and Asa Buck of Beaufort.
The winner of the GOP primary will represent a district that includes all or portions of Bertie, Camden, Chowan, Currituck, Dare, Gates, Pasquotank, Perquimans, Tyrrell, Washington, and Hyde counties, along with several other counties in the region.
A listing of all candidates who have filed for the primary as of the morning of Dec. 11 can be found below this story or by clicking here. The primary will not include unaffiliated candidates.
Russell emphasized affordable housing as a central campaign issue, noting her own experience with poverty.
“Buying a home used to be the heart of the American Dream. Now, in a district where property prices are skyrocketing, our young people, recent graduates, and working families are being priced out,” she said.
Her platform also includes supporting farmers and fishermen, defending parental rights, promoting fiscal responsibility, and securing the border.
The filing period for the 2026 primary election closes at noon December 19, 2025.
The 2026 Primary Election will be held March 3, 2026 and the general election on Nov. 3, 2026. The deadline to register to vote will be Feb. 6, 2026.
The following political parties in North Carolina will have a party primary in 2026: the Democratic Party, the Libertarian Party, and the Republican Party. The Green Party will not have a party primary in 2026. Unaffiliated candidates (such as Chowan County Clerk of Superior Court candidate Dwayne Godwin) will appear on the general election ballot, not on the primary ballot.
Contested State Senate Race
The region’s State Senate District 1 seat has attracted four Republican candidates, with the most recent filing coming on Dec. 10. Dave Forsythe of Corapeake filed Wednesday to join Jerry Tillett of Manteo, Jay Lane of Elizabeth City (filed December 3), and Cole Johnson of Shiloh.
The State Senate District 1 race will affect voters in Bertie, Camden, Gates, and several other eastern counties.
Statewide Judicial and Senate Races
North Carolina voters will also weigh in on several major statewide races:
U.S. Senate currently features former Governor Roy Cooper and Daryl Farrow competing for the Democratic nomination, while Republicans Elizabeth Temple, Donald “Don” Brown, and Michael Whatley are vying for their party’s nod.
Supreme Court Justice Anita Earls faces a challenge from Republican Sarah Stevens for Associate Justice Seat 01.
Multiple Court of Appeals seats are contested, with both Democratic and Republican primaries featuring competitive races. We will provide more information on these races once the filing deadline has passed.
Local Races Heat Up Across Region
County-level contests are taking shape across northeastern North Carolina, with several competitive primaries emerging:
Bertie County
All Bertie County races currently feature Democrats only. District Attorney Kim Gourrier Scott filed for District 7, which also includes Hertford County. County Commissioner races include Miles Davis for District 2 and Corey Ballance Sr. for District 3, both currently unopposed in their primaries. The District 5 commissioner seat features a Democratic primary between Ronald Roberson and Aaron L. Rascoe. Angela Todd filed for Clerk of Superior Court, and Tyrone M. Ruffin filed for sheriff.
Camden County
Camden County races are currently exclusively Republican contests. Francisco Salmeron filed for the At-Large Board of Commissioners seat, while Troy Leary seeks the Shiloh District seat. Jennifer Gray filed for Clerk of Superior Court, and J. Kevin Jones is running for sheriff.
Chowan County
Chowan County features both Republican and Democratic candidates. For the Board of Commissioners, Republicans Lisa Perry (District 01 Seat 02) and Larry McLaughlin (District 02 Seat 02) filed, while Democrat Ellis Lawrence is seeking the District 03 Seat 02. Edward “Scooter” Basnight filed as the Republican candidate for sheriff.
Currituck County
All Currituck races currently feature Republican candidates. Matt Beickert filed for the At-Large commissioner seat, Mike Payment for District 03, and Steve Hedrick for District 05. Ray Matusko is running for Clerk of Superior Court, and Jeffrey Walker filed for sheriff.
Dare County
Dare County has drawn numerous candidates across multiple races. The Board of Commissioners At-Large seat has Republican Ervin Bateman running. The District 01 commissioner race features a three-way Republican primary between David Twiddy, Edgar L. Barnes, and Mike Burrus. The District 02 seat has Republicans Rob Ross and Christian Thomas Hayman competing.
The Board of Education races include a partisan contest in District 01, where Democrat Kelleta Govan faces Republicans Stephen Nichols, Shannon Walters, and Christie Baer. Republicans Ron Payne (District 02) and Rich Shope (District 03) filed for their respective seats.
The sheriff’s race has attracted four Republicans so far: Jimmy Pierce, Teddy Daniels, Rodney Rawls, and Jeff Deringer. Dean Martin Tolson filed for Clerk of Superior Court, and Cheryl House for Register of Deeds, both as Republicans.
Gates County
Gates County races currently feature Democratic candidates. Brian Keith Rountree filed for the Board of Commissioners Gates District seat. Monica Horton-Wiggins is seeking Clerk of Superior Court. Republican Ray Campbell filed for sheriff. Kevin Briggs filed for Board of Education District 05, a nonpartisan race.
Hertford County
All Hertford County local races currently feature only Democratic candidates. Leroy Douglas II filed for Board of Commissioners District 01, and Andre M. Lassiter for District 02. Shirley Gatling Johnson is running for Clerk of Superior Court, and Dexter A. Hayes filed for sheriff.
Hyde County
Hyde County races are currently exclusively Democratic. Phillip “Andy” Holloway filed for Board of Education At-Large. Brandy Cahoon Pugh is seeking Clerk of Superior Court, Merita Lewis-Spencer for Register of Deeds, and Carl “Guire” Cahoon Jr. for sheriff.
Pasquotank County
Pasquotank County has both Democratic and Republican contests. Democrat Charles Jordan filed for the At-Large commissioner seat, Republican Sean Lavin for the Northern Outside district, and Democrat Clifford Shaw for the Southern Inside district. Republican Jennifer S. Thompson filed for Clerk of Superior Court, and Republican Tommy Wooten for sheriff.
Perquimans County
Perquimans races are Republican contests. Three candidates filed for Board of Commissioners: Tim Corprew, James William Ward, and Wallace Nelson. Todd Tilley is running for Clerk of Superior Court, and Shelton “Shelby” White for sheriff. The Board of Education race is nonpartisan, with Matt Winslow and Annie White competing.
Tyrrell County
Tyrrell County features both parties in the commissioner race, with Democrat Nina Basnight Griswell and Republican Jordan R. Davis. Democrat Angie Ethridge Sexton filed for Clerk of Superior Court, and Democrat R. Kevin Sawyer for sheriff. Karen Page Clough filed for the nonpartisan Board of Education race.
Washington County
Washington County has several competitive races. The At-Large commissioner seat features Democrat Melinda Porter against Republican Jonathan B. Sawyer IV. Democrats Julius Walker Jr. (District 02) and Tracey A. Johnson (District 03) filed for their respective commissioner seats.
The sheriff’s race currently features a Democratic primary between Arlo Norman and William Downing, with Republican Mike Patterson also filing, setting up a potential general election contest.
Board of Education races are all Democratic: Carlos Riddick filed for At-Large, while District 01 has a three-way primary between Gregory Boston, Khandus Jackson, and Sherri Blount Gilliam. District 02 features Democrats Lois Clark and Julie Tallerico Simpson. Brian Keith Phelps filed for Clerk of Superior Court.
