By Miles and Nicole Layton
EDENTON — Lot of candidate filings – oh boy – see the latest as of Friday’s filing deadline.
A few races of note – more of these stories will appear in more detail in future articles (been a long day):
Chowan Sheriff’s race — Republican Edward “Scooter” Basnight and Democrat Kristy Lalonde. That’s going to be a race to watch in the months leading up to the November election.
Speaking of the sheriff’s race — Pasquotank’s sheriff’s race — Republicans Tommy Wooten vs Nina Daniels. Bertie and Tyrrell’s sheriff races may be interesting, too.
State House — Republican Primary for District 1 – Washington County Commission Chairman John Spruill v State Representative Ed Goodwin. The winner of that contest will face a Democrat in the November election.
And, of course, there are the Republican primaries for Congressional District 1 and NC Senate District 1. That’s going to be interesting.
Chowan County Commission Bob Kirby is not running for reelection. That’s a big deal — Bob did/does a lot for the county and region. Retiring. More on that later.
Several local races that I thought would be uncontested have candidates on both sides of the party ledger — read our list so I don’t have to repeat myself. The final list is available for download at the end of the story.
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.
Candidates — reach out to me at mileslayton1969@gmail.com
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Contested State Senate Race
If you don’t know who’s running for the District 1 congressional seat, you need to get out more, maybe put down the PlayStation controller, take a shower and move out of grandma’s basement. Republicans are Laurie Buckhout – Retired U.S. Army Colonel, former Acting Assistant Secretary of Defense for Cyber Policy, 2024 Republican nominee; Bobby Hanig – State Senator representing parts of the district; Asa Buck – Carteret County Sheriff, popular law enforcement figure in coastal counties; Eric Rouse – Lenoir County Commissioner (does not currently live in the district); Ashley-Nicole Russell – attorney with offices in Carteret County and Greenville.
The Democrat is Don Davis, who is running for reelection to a second term – he ran against Buckhout in 2024 — narrow margin of victory; less than 2 percent. Davis is a graduate of the US Air Force Academy, former Snow Hill mayor and member of the General Assembly.
Side note and to clarify other mainstream media reports because they have no clue – maybe should’ve read a book in college — when the GOP majority in the General Assembly redrew the maps to make congressional districts more equitable, much like Democrats did without hesitation for many decades when they dominated Raleigh, Davis found himself on the other side of the 1st district’s “lines” because he lives in Snow Hill, Greene County, located within the redrawn 3rd Congressional District. What does that mean? A congressional candidate, any candidate for that matter, is not required to live in their district until they are elected to serve — Davis said that if he is reelected, he will move to the 1st District – welcome, neighbor!
Final side note, depending on who you talk to, Republicans are favored by at least 8 points to win the 1st District — if they can resist the urge to engage in a food fight as happened in the 2024 campaign cycle.
Contested State Senate Race
The region’s State Senate District 1 seat has attracted four Republican candidates: Dave Forsythe of Corapeake, Jerry Tillett of Manteo, Jay Lane of Elizabeth City, and Cole Johnson of Shiloh. Democrat is Melissa Zehner of Southern Shores.
The State Senate District 1 race will affect voters in Bertie, Camden, Gates, and several other eastern counties.
State Senate District 2 — Republican Norm Sanderson is running for reelection; Democrat William Surrett.
The State Senate District 3 race – State Sen. Bob Brinson, Republican, and challenger Charles Dudley, Democrat. Distinct 3 — Beaufort, Craven, Lenoir, etc. Speaking of Beaufort County, we’ll begin paying more attention to that stretch of the woods.
Contested State House Races
As we all know — or should know — the Republican Primary for State House, District 1, is between Ed Goodwin, who is running for reelection, and John Spruill, chairman of the Washington County Commission, with Claude Harris III as the candidate in the Democratic Primary. Since I’m familiar with District 1 – a Democrat has not represented this multi-county district in many years, so pay close attention to the Republican Primary.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the Chowan River, Democrats vying for District 23 are Shelly Willingham and Patricia Smith; Republican Brent Roberson.
Up by Camden for District 5, Republican Bill Ward has filed for reelection; Democrat being Sam Davis III.
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, Justin Dues, Robert Colon, Daryl Farrow, Marcus Williams, Orrick Quick competing for the Democratic nomination, while Republicans Elizabeth Temple, Margot Dupree, Don Brown, Thomas Johnson, Michelle Morrow, Richard Dansie and Michael Whatley are vying for their party’s nod; Libertarian being Shannon Bray.
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. I’m too old and too blind to be typing 10,000 names in – check out the download at the end of the article.
Here are a few familiar names of folks we know who wield the gavel – District 1 Judge Meader Harris is running unopposed. Republican Kyle Jones and Democrat Jennifer Wells – District 4 Judge candidates.
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 feature Democrats only — the Force is strong with Democrats in that county. 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.
To quote Scooby Doo – ruh ro – David White of Windsor is challenging inucmbent Sheriff Tyrone M. Ruffin of Aulander, known for his trademark black cowboy hat, in the Democratic Primary.
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.
Worth noting, Dave Chick is still gathering signatures in his bid for the at-large seat on county commission.
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 Kathleen Miglorie (District 02, Seat 02) and Ellis Lawrence (District 3, Seat 2) have filed. Republican Edward “Scooter” Basnight and Democrat Kristy Lynn LaLonde filed as candidates for sheriff.
Currituck County
Currituck races feature Democrats Reggie Saunder and Claywood Wilson Jr. and Republicans Matt Beickert and Denise Hall running for Board of Commissioners At-Large and Republicans Mike Payment and Ronda Galko running for District 3. For Commissioners, District 5, Democrat JeKeith Cowell Sr. is running while Republicans Steve Hedick and Charles J. Gray will face each other in the primary.
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 and Republican candidates. Republican Jay Peay has filed for the Board of COmmissioners Eure District seat. Democrat Brian Keith Rountree filed for the Board of Commissioners Gates District seat. Democrat Monica Horton-Wiggins is seeking Clerk of Superior Court. Republican Ray Campbell filed for sheriff. In the nonpartisan Board of Education races, Brian Silvers and Sallie J. Ryan are vying for District 1; Lola N. Rountree and Danny Halle for District 3; Kevin Briggs, L. Ray Brothers and Nick Lolies, District 5; and Adam Williams, Shari Earhart and Angela (JoJo) Legg, District 2.
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
In Hyde County, Democrat Phillip “Andy” Holloway and Republican Dustin Nails filed for Board of Education At-Large. Democrat Brandy Cahoon Pugh is seeking Clerk of Superior Court, Democrat Merita Lewis-Spencer for Register of Deeds, and Democrat Carl “Guire” Cahoon Jr. for sheriff.
Pasquotank County
Pasquotank County has both Democratic and Republican contests. Democrats Charles Jordan and Timothy C. Stallings Jr. and Republican Carl Witten filed for the At-Large commissioner seat, Republican Sean Lavin for the Northern Outside district, and Democrat Clifford Shaw for the Southern Inside district. Republicans Jennifer S. Thompson and Christopher Terry filed for Clerk of Superior Court, and Republicans Tommy Wooten and Jaunita (Nita) Daniels for sheriff — that’ll be fun one to watch since the work together.
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, Kristy Corprew and Annie White competing.
Tyrrell County
Tyrrell County features both parties in the commissioner race, with Democrat Nina Basnight Griswell and Mark Mixon and Republican Jordan R. Davis. Democrat Angie Ethridge Sexton filed for Clerk of Superior Court, and Democrat R. Kevin Sawyer and Republican Joey Elliott for sheriff. Karen Page Clough, Jana Liverman Rawls, Monica Liverman and Joni Marie Liverman 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.
Democrats Arlo Norman and William Downing and Republican Mike Patterson have filed for sheriff.
