By Nicole Bowman-Layton

EDENTON — Local Democratic candidates for sheriff, county commission, and the courts headlined the Chowan County Democratic Party’s county convention Saturday, outlining their priorities ahead of the 2026 election cycle.

Held March 21 at The Venue on Water Street, the event featured remarks from sheriff candidate Kristy LaLonde, county commission candidate Kathleen Miglorie, and District Court Judge Jenny Wells, who is seeking election to her seat.

Other county political groups throughout the state also held their conventions on Saturday. We will publish information on those events as it becomes available.

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Sheriff’s race

LaLonde is running for Chowan County sheriff as a Democrat against incumbent Republican Edward “Scooter” Basnight, who is seeking reelection. If elected in November, LaLonde will be the county’s first woman sheriff.

Voting in the General Election officially begins Sept. 4, with the initial sending of absentee ballots. It is followed by in-person voting, Oct. 15 and Oct. 31, and Election Day, Nov. 3, 2026. The deadline to register to vote in the general election is 5 p.m. Oct. 9.

LaLonde, who holds certifications as a North Carolina-certified alcohol and drug counselor and a certified criminal justice addictions professional, said her background bridging law enforcement and behavioral health sets her candidacy apart.

“Public safety is not just about reacting,” she said. “It’s about prevention, understanding and connection.”

She said her approach aligns with Gov. Josh Stein’s Executive Order 33, which focuses on strengthening coordination between behavioral health and the criminal justice system. She said she would prioritize coordination with mental health and treatment providers, expanded training for deputies and community outreach programs.

“I will ensure deputies are trained not only in law enforcement, but in communication, de-escalation and understanding the people that they serve,” LaLonde said. “When we support our deputies, they’re better equipped to support the community.”

LaLonde also noted the historic nature of her candidacy.

“I didn’t step away from law enforcement,” she said. “I stepped away to become the change I wanted to see in it, and now I’m back to bring that change home to Chowan County. I’m proud to stand here before you as a candidate to become the first female sheriff in Chowan County.”

County Commission race

Miglorie is running for Chowan County commissioner in District 2, Seat 2. The seat is currently held by Republican Larry McLaughlin, who is seeking reelection.

Each of the county’s three districts is represented by two board members. There is also an at-large seat. Commissioner Tony Shaffer currently represents District 2, in seat 1.

Democrats Ellis Lawrence (up for re-election in 2026) and Trey Taylor, who both represent District 3) are currently on the board.

“Chowan County is not an island,” she said, arguing that the county can draw on examples from neighboring communities, work more effectively with the town of Edenton, other counties and the state government.

On county finances, Migliorie was direct: “Everybody works hard for their money. Your money and your tax dollars should work hard for you.”

She noted that the county commissioners are spending money on “pet projects,” such as Harbor Towns and the re-erection of the Confederate monument behind the county courthouse.

As previously reported by the Albemarle Observer, Harbor Towns is funded by revenue from its cruises and a multi-million-dollar state grant.

The Town of Edenton and Chowan County signed a Memorandum of Understanding to re-erect the Confederate monument behind the current county courthouse after it was removed from town property. According to the document, the town will pay for the transport and re-erection of the monument from storage to its new location, as well as site preparation. The county approved a $7,500 contigency for landscaping. The project is currently stalled because a lawsuit challenging the re-erection of the monument on county property is still active in the court system.

Miglorie said the current county leadership falls short on communicating with residents and listening to their concerns.

“We need to get more information out to the people — but more importantly, listen,” Migliore said. “Let’s hear what people are caring about, what they’re concerned about. Let’s take that information and work with it to shape our policies and to shape how we’re spending our money.”

When asked how to better engage younger residents in local government, Miglorie said the county should improve its social media presence, pursue mentorship opportunities and focus on creating the kind of community young people want to return to.

“We need to try to think about what can we do, and what’s been successful in other places, to create a good landscape that our young people want to come back to and feel good about,” she said.

Judicial candidate

Wells, a District Court judge appointed in 2025 by Gov. Josh Stein, is seeking election to her seat in Judicial District 1, which covers seven counties in northeastern North Carolina from Gates County to Dare County.

She is being challenged in the General Election by Republican Kyle Jones of Hertford.

She successfully advocated for Ann to enter a treatment program. Several years later, the two ran into each other at the courthouse.

“I said, ‘Ann, what are you doing here? You don’t have a new case, do you?’” Wells said. “And she said, ‘No, Miss Wells. I’m running that treatment facility now. And I’m here to advocate for somebody else just like me.’”

The audience applauded. “That’s the reason I still believe in the justice system and the important work that we do,” Wells said.

She outlined three priorities for the district: addressing a shortage of lawyers in the region — which she described as a “legal desert” — expanding treatment courts to all seven counties, and ensuring equal access to justice in her courtroom.

On access, Wells said she is keenly aware of what it means for someone to appear before a judge.

“I understand that if you’re in my courtroom, you’re probably not having a good day,” she said. “You’re either a victim in a case, you’ve been charged with a case, you’re fighting for custody of your child. No matter why you’re there, you’re probably not having a good day, and I’m going to make sure that you are, number one, informed about what’s going on with the court, and number two, that you are given an opportunity to be heard.”

On treatment courts, Wells cited roughly 35 years of research showing recovery courts are about 30% more effective at reducing reoffending than traditional court structures.

“You shouldn’t have better opportunities just because you live in a certain county,” she said.

Wells also noted that before her appointment and that of Judge Eula Reed last year, eight of the nine judicial positions in the district were held by men.

“We have to show young women and men that they have a place here and that they can advance here,” she said.

Wells had to leave the event early to attend several other conventions in the area. She will be in Edenton at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 24, at Edenton Bay Trading Company, 407 S. Broad St., for a meet and greet.

Party organization

In addition to candidate remarks, the attendees conducted party business, including the election of new county executive committee officers.

Colleen Nicholas and Lois Thompson were elected county co-chairs. The county’s 1st vice chair is Aaron Coston, while former president John Capitman will serve as 2nd vice chair. Jacqueline Hugee will be the 3rd vice chair, while Dana Nicholas was selected to serve as secretary. They also picked county representatives to various committees.

The party also screened video messages from a slate of statewide Democratic candidates and leaders, including Supreme Court Justice Anita Earls and Court of Appeals Judges John Arrowood, Toby Hampson, and Christine Walseth, as well as messages from Gov. Josh Stein and Lt. Gov. Rachel Hunt.

Stein urged attendees to stay engaged in the coming months.

“We’ve got about seven months to go until the midterms, and we know what we need to do,” Stein said in his recorded message. “We need to talk to voters and support our candidates, so let’s do it.”

Chowan County’s gathering was one of many Democratic Party county conventions held across North Carolina on the same day as part of the party’s organizational cycle. County conventions serve as organizing meetings where parties coordinate volunteers, elect officers and prepare for future campaign cycles.