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EDITOR’S NOTE: This article focused on candidates filing in December 2015 for the 2016 election cycle. It has been superceded by an article that focuses on the full slate of candidates once the filing window closed on Dec. 21. That article also corrects a number of minor errors that appeared in the article below. Please see the new article for up-to-date information.
The filing window for candidates in 2016 elections in North Carolina is closing fast with the deadline set for noon Monday.
Many races are stacking up to be hotly contested. Others, especially judgeships, are seeing only the incumbent file, giving the people no say in whether these individuals ought to continue serving — unless a challenger materializes in the final days of filing. Meanwhile, a few races have no candidates at all so far.
A range of federal, state and local offices will appear on primary and general election ballots in Western North Carolina next year. The filing period began on Dec. 1 this cycle due to primaries in March 2016, two months earlier than normal for the state. The change was made so that voters can participate in the presidential primary process while it’s still being contested, which may draw more candidates’ attention to North Carolina during the primary season.
The following offers a breakdown of those candidates who have thrown their hats in the ring so far.
The candidates’ party affiliation is given, even when a candidate is running in a nonpartisan race. In these cases, the nonpartisan nature of the race is noted. Party affiliation for any registered voter, including candidates, is public record, but will not appear on the ballot for candidates in nonpartisan races. For primary purposes, these races will appear on the ballots of all voters regardless of the voters’ own affiliation and choice of primary participation.
Party affiliation is noted as:
- D for Democrat
- R for Republican
- U for Unaffiliated
- L for Libertarian
- G for Green Party
Town of residence (not county) is given for each candidate. In cases where their postal address incorrectly implies residence a county whose limits are not within the county from which they are running, the actual county in which they are registered to vote is noted. For instance, a Madison County candidate with a Weaverville address does not live within the town limits of the Buncombe County municipality of Weaverville but within the area that the federal U.S. Postal service has designated as having a Weaverville zip code, so this is noted as “Weaverville, Madison County.”
The residence listed is based on their voter registration record, though some candidates may give various other locations when running, including the location of a campaign office.
Candidates who have announced but not filed are not included. A few candidates who have filed but whose records have not been updated on the state Board of Elections Website may not be listed immediately, but will be added as soon as they are officially listed.
Anyone wishing to seek a local office can file with their county boards of elections. Those running for state or federal offices should verify their eligibility with their county election boards, then contact the state board to file.
The list below will be updated periodically until the filing window has closed. Names are given based on the candidate’s voter registration. For those who are running with a nickname that will appear on that ballot, that is listed in quotes.
Statewide Non-Judicial Offices
Governor
Clyde Robert Brawley Jr., R-Mooresville
Kenneth “Ken” Bridgeforth Spaulding, D-Durham
Lon Vernon Cecil, L-High Point, Davidson County
Patrick “Pat” L. McCrory, R-Charlotte (incumbent)
Roy Asberry Cooper III, D-Raleigh
Lieutenant Governor
Daniel “Dan” J. Forest, R-Raleigh (incumbent)
Diana Holly Jones, D-Asheville
Joseph John “J.J.” Summerell, L-Greensboro
Linda D. Coleman, D-Knightdale
Robert Earl Wilson, D-Cary
Ronald L. Newton, D-Newton
Secretary of State
Abraham Joseph “A.J.” Daoud, R-Pilot Mountain
Elaine Folk Marshall, D-Lilington (incumbent)
Michael Salvatore LaPaglia, R-Durham
Attorney General
Eldon “Buck” Sharpe Newton III, R-Wilson
James “Jim” Roderick O’Neill, R-Winston-Salem
Joshua “Josh” H. Stein, D-Raleigh
Auditor
Beth A. Wood, D-Raleigh (incumbent)
Commissioner of Agriculture
Steven “Steve” Wayne Troxler, R-Browns Summit (incumbent)
Walter Graham Smith Jr., D-Yadkinville
Commissioner of Insurance
John Michael “Mike” Causey, R-Greensboro
Ronald “Ron” Leonard Pierce, R-Charlotte
George Wayne Goodwin, D-Raleigh (incumbent)
Commissioner of Labor
Charles C. Meeker, D-Raleigh
Cherie Killian Berry, R-Newton (incumbent)
Superintendent of Public Instruction
Henry Junior Pankey, D-Durham
Joel Wesley Sills, R-Dunn
June St. Clair Atkinson, D-Raleigh (incumbent)
Mark Randall Johnson Jr., R-Winston-Salem
Rosemary Stein, R-Snow Camp
Treasurer
Dale R. Folwell, R-Winston-Salem
Daniel “Dan” Terry Blue III, D-Raleigh
Roger Ronal “Ron” Elmer Jr., D-Cary
Judicial offices affecting WNC
Court of Appeals Judge (Dietz) (nonpartisan race)
Richard Donald Dietz, R-Winston-Salem (incumbent)
Vinston Miller Rozier Jr., D-Raleigh
Court of Appeals Judge (Hunter) (nonpartisan race)
Abraham “Abe” Penn Jones, D-Raleigh
Robert “Bob” Neal Hunter, R-Morehead City (incumbent)
(NOTE: Jones was previously listed as a candidate for the Zachary seat, below. The N.C. Board of Elections corrected this listing as of Dec. 15.)
Court of Appeals Judge (Stephens) (nonpartisan race)
Linda N. Stephens, D-Raleigh (incumbent)
Philip Edward Berger Jr., R-Hillsborough
Court of Appeals Judge (Zachary) (nonpartisan race)
Rickye McKoy-Mitchell, D-Charlotte
Valerie Johnson Zachary, R-Yadkinville (incumbent)
Superior Court Judge, District 24
Robert Gregory “Greg” Horne, R-Boone (incumbent)
District Court Judge, District 24 (Eggers-Gryder) (nonpartisan race)
Joshua James “Josh” Teague, D-Boone
Rebecca “Becca” E. Eggers-Gryder, R-Boone (incumbent)
District Court Judge, District 24 (Harrison) (nonpartisan race)
Hal Gene Harrison, R-Spruce Pine (incumbent)
District Court Judge, District 24 (McEntire) (nonpartisan race)
Theodore “Ted” Wright McEntire, R-Spruce Pine (incumbent)
District Court Judge, District 28 (Dray) (nonpartisan race)
Andrea F. Dray, D-Asheville (incumbent)
District Court Judge, District 28 (Hill) (nonpartisan race)
James Calvin Hill, D-Candler (incumbent)
District Court Judge, District 29B (Brittain) (nonpartisan race)
Thomas McAvoy “Mack” Brittain Jr., R-Etowah (incumbent)
District Court Judge, District 29B (Brooks) (nonpartisan race)
Athena Fox Brooks, R-Horse Shoe (incumbent)
District Court Judge, District 29B (Cowan) (nonpartisan race)
Emily Greene Cowan, R-Hendersonville (incumbent)
District Court Judge, District 29B (Knight) (nonpartisan race)
Peter Brian Knight, R-Hendersonville (incumbent)
District Court Judge, District 30 (Leslie) (nonpartisan race)
Monica Hayes Leslie, D-Waynesville (incumbent)
District Court Judge, District 30 (Sellers) (nonpartisan race)
Tessa Shelton Sellers, R-Hayesville (incumbent)
District Court Judge, District 30 (Walker) (nonpartisan race)
Richard K. Walker, D-Hayesville (incumbent)
Federal and state legislative offices affecting WNC
U.S. Senate
Christia “Chris” Virdelle Rey, D-Spring Lake
Deborah K. Ross, D-Raleigh
Kevin Day Griffin, D-Durham
Larry Howard Holmquist, R-Greensboro
Paul Michael Wright, R-Dudley
Richard Mauze Burr, R-Winston-Salem (incumbent)
Sean Newton Haugh, L-Durham
U.S. House District 5 (Watauga and various non-WNC counties)
Patricia “Pattie” Margaret Curran, R-Kernersville
Virginia Ann Foxx, R-Banner Elk (incumbent)
U.S. House District 10 (Polk, Rutherford, part of Buncombe and various non-WNC counties)
Carl Andrew “Andy” Millard, D-Columbus
Patrick Timothy McHenry, R-Denver (incumbent)
U.S. House District 11 (most of WNC)
Mark Randal Meadows, R-Cashiers (incumbent)
Fredrick “Rick” E. Bryson, D-Swain
Thomas “Tom” Waddell Hill, D-Zirconia
N.C. Senate District 45 (Wautaga, Avery and various non-WNC counties)
Arthur “Art” M. Sherwood, D-Lenoir
Deanna Marie Ballard, R-Blowing Rock
Kenneth Arnold Boham, R-Lenoir
(Note: Sen. Daniel “Dan” Frederick Soucek, R-Boone, filed to run but then withdrew a few days later. In earlier versions of this article he was listed as a candidate.)
N.C. Senate District 47 (Madison, Polk, Yancey, Mitchell, Avery and McDowell)
Ralph Edward Hise Jr., R-Spruce Pine (incumbent)
N.C. Senate District 48 (Henderson, Transylvania and part of Buncombe)
Dennis Grover Justice, R-Fletcher
Charles “Chuck” Marion Edwards, R-Flat Rock
Norman Bossert, D-Pisgah Forest
N.C. Senate District 49 (part of Buncombe)
Teresa “Terry” Quaid Van Duyn, D-Asheville (incumbent)
N.C. Senate District 50 (Jackson, Swain, Macon, Graham, Clay, Cherokee, Transylvania and Haywood)
Jane Bates Hipps, D-Candler, Haywood County
James “Jim” Wayland Davis, R-Franklin (incumbent)
N.C. House District 85 (Avery, McDowell and Mitchell)
Joshua “Josh” Robert Dobson, R-Nebo (incumbent)
N.C. House District 93 (Watauga and a non-WNC county)
Jonathan Christian Jordan, R-Crumpler (incumbent)
Lewis “Lew” Bevin Hendricks, R-Boone
Ronald “Ronnie” David Marsh, D-Boone
Percilla Sue Counts, D-Boone
N.C. House District 112 (Rutherford and a non-WNC county)
Michael “Mike” Dean Hager, R-Rutherfordton (incumbent)
N.C. House District 113 (Polk, Henderson, Transylvania)
Cody Hayden Henson, R-Brevard
Coty James Ferguson, R-Brevard
Maureen Theresa Mahan Copelof, D-Brevard
N.C. House District 114 (portions of Buncombe)
None
N.C. House District 115 (portions of Buncombe)
Frank Hannon Moretz, R-Fairview
John Curtis Ager Jr., D-Fairview (incumbent)
Robert “Bob” David Chilmonik, R-Black Mountain
N.C. House District 116 (portions of Buncombe)
Brian Mills Turner, D-Asheville (incumbent)
N.C. House District 117 (portions of Henderson)
Charles “Chuck” Worden McGrady, R-Hendersonville (incumbent)
N.C. House District 118 (portions of Haywood, Madison, Yancey)
Michele Donna Presnell, R-Burnsville (incumbent)
Reese Aulton Steen, D-Mars Hill
Rhonda Cole Schandevel, D-Canton
N.C. House District 119 (portions of Haywood, Swain, Jackson)
Aaron Lee Littlefield, R-Cullowhee
Joe Sam Queen, D-Waynesville (incumbent)
James Michael “Mike” Clampitt, R-Bryson City
N.C. House District 120 (portions of Macon, Clay, Cherokee, Graham)
Elliott John Southworth, R-Murphy
Harold Kevin Corbin, R-Franklin
County-level offices
AVERY
Register of Deeds
Cynthia Renee Dellinger, R-Newland
County Commissioner
Drema Darlene Hicks, R-Elk Park
Martha Jaynes Hicks, R-Elk Park (incumbent)
County School Board (nonpartisan)
John Lemuel Greene Jr., R-Newland
Kathey Ann Aldridge, R-Newland
Richard Keith Tutterow, D-Newland
BUNCOMBE
Board of Commissioners Chair
Brownie Wayne Newman, D-Asheville (incumbent)
Miranda Vinzant DeBruhl, R-Leicester (currently a District 3 commissioner)
County Commissioner, District 1
Gordon Dean Smith, D-Asheville
Isaac Franklin Coleman Jr., D-Asheville
Jasmine Elizabeth Beach-Ferrara, D-Asheville
County Commissioner, District 2
Jordan Scott Burchette, R-Fairview
Lawrence “Larry” F. Dodson, D-Weaverville
Matthew “Matt” Caswell Kern, D-Asheville
Michael “Mike” Vernon Fryar, R-Fairview (incumbent)
Scott J. Bissinger, D-Fletcher, Buncombe County
County Commissioner, District 3
Edward “Ed” Craig Hay Jr., D-Asheville
Joseph “Joe” Leonard Belcher, R-Candler (incumbent)
Register of Deeds
Andrew “Drew” Mark Reisinger, D-Asheville (incumbent)
CHEROKEE
Board of Commissioners, District II
David “CB” Franklin McKinnon, R-Marble (incumbent)
Randall “Randy” Lynn Barnett, D-Murphy
Board of Commissioners, District V
Roy Grant Dickey, R-Murphy (incumbent)
Board of Education, District I
Andrew Deluna, R-Andrews
Jeff Edward Tatham, R-Andrews
John Timothy Coffey, D-Marble (incumbent)
Board of Education, District II
Carlos Rafael Ramos, R-Murphy
John Jacob Worden, R-Murphy
Kerry Lyle Archer, D-Murphy
CLAY
Commissioner, Countywide
Dwight Hunter Penland, R-Hayesville
Randy Nichols, R-Hayesville (incumbent)
Robert “Rob” Christopher Peck, R-Hayesville
School Board
Willie Daniel “Danny” Jones, R-Hayesville
Jason Troy Rhinehardt, D-Hayesville (incumbent)
GRAHAM
County Commissioner
Karen Connie Orr, R-Robbinsville (incumbent)
John D. Lovin, D-Robbinsville
Keith Lee Eller, R-Robbinsville (incumbent)
Joey Lynn Cody, R-Robbinsville (incumbent)
Shaun Larry Adams, R-Robbinsville
County Commissioner (unexpired)
Raymond David Williams Sr., R-Robbinsville
Terri Newman Hamm, R-Almond
School Board
Douglas Rodney Nelson, R-Robbinsville (incumbent)
Sharon Cable Edwards, R-Robbinsville (incumbent)
HAYWOOD
County Commissioner
Charles Lee Boyd, D-Waynesville
Lawrence Kevin Ensley, R-Waynesville (incumbent)
Robin Greene Black, D-Canton
Stephen “Steve” Michael Brown, D-Waynesville
Terry Eugene Ramey, D-Clyde
HENDERSON
County Commissioner, District 2
Charles “Charlie” Dwayne Messer, R-Fletcher (incumbent)
County Commissioner, District 5
Grady Harold Hawkins, R-Hendersonville (incumbent)
County School Board (nonpartisan)
Thomas Blair Craven, R-Hendersonville
Burton “Burt” Henry Harris, R-Hendersonville
Ervin W. Bazzle, U-Hendersonville (incumbent)
Jared Michael Bellmund, U-Etowah
Josh David Houston, R-Flat Rock (incumbent)
Mary Louise Johnston Corn, U-Fletcher (incumbent)
Frederick “Rick” Richard Wood, D-Hendersonville (incumbent)
JACKSON
County Commissioner, District 4
Mark Riggs Jones, D-Cashiers (incumbent)
County Commissioner, District 3
Vicki Jane Greene, D-Sylva (incumbent)
Ronald “Ron” Mau, R-Cullowhee
School Board, District 1 (nonpartisan)
Elizabeth King Cooper, D-Whittier (incumbent)
MACON
County Commissioner, District 2
Charles “Charlie” Daniel Leatherman, D-Franklin
Karl Ellis Gillespie, R-Franklin
Ronald “Ron” Marion Haven, R-Franklin
County Commissioner, District 3
Robert “Bobby” H. Kuppers, D-Franklin
Emmanuel “Manny” W. Carrion, R-Franklin
Gregory Floyd Boyer, R-Franklin
Paul Clayton Higdon, R-Franklin (incumbent)
MADISON
Board of Education, District 1 (nonpartisan)
Craig Davidson Goforth, D-Mars Hill (incumbent)
Board of Education, District 2 (nonpartisan)
Kelby Richard Cody, D-Marshall (incumbent)
County Commissioner
Matthew “Matt” Thomas Wechtel, R-Weaverville, Madison County (incumbent)
Randall “Randy” Bradford, D-Marshall
Douglas Wayne Brigman, D-Mars Hill (incumbent)
Register of Deeds
Susan Penland Rector, D-Marshall (incumbent)
McDOWELL
Board of Education, Marion (nonpartisan)
Amy Sue Moomaw, U-Marion
Michelle Lee Pupoh, R-Marion
Randy Lee Williams, D-Marion (incumbent)
Board of Education, North Cove
Terry Edward English, D-Marion
Board of Education, Old Fort (nonpartisan)
Chad “Snapper” Darrin Greene, U-Old Fort
George Patrick Ellis, R-Old Fort
County Commissioner
Barry Edwin McPeters, R-Marion (incumbent)
Christopher “Chris” David Allison, R-Marion
Thomas Franklin “Frank” Dean, R-Marion
Everett Lynn Greene, R-Marion
Van Randolph “Randy” Hollifield, R-Nebo (incumbent)
Register of Deeds
Tonia Rae Hampton, R-Old Fort (incumbent)
MITCHELL
County Commissioner
Danny Ray Burleson, R-Spruce Pine
Elizabeth Kay Ellis Pollard, R-Spruce Pine
Kenneth “Ken” Wayne Hollifield, R-Spruce Pine (incumbent)
Register of Deeds
Kathy J. Laws, R-Bakersville (incumbent)
POLK
Board of Education, Saluda Township (nonpartisan)
Rhonda M. Corley, D-Saluda (incumbent)
Board of Education, Tryon Township (nonpartisan)
Richard “Rick” Ned Covil, D-Tryon (incumbent)
Board of Education, White Oak Township (nonpartisan)
Kevin Clayton Seay, U-Saluda
Lucinda “Cindy” Tate Allen, U-Mill Spring (incumbent)
County Commissioner
Jake Hunter Johnson, R-Saluda
John Dennis Hill, R-Columbus
Myron Lee Yoder, R-Columbus
Penelope “Penny” Jeanne Padgett, D-Mill Spring
Registrar of Deeds
Sheila W. Whitmire, R-Mill Spring (incumbent)
RUTHERFORD
County Commissioner, District 2
James Gregory “Greg” Lovelace, R-Bostic (incumbent)
Jody Marc Ledford, D-Forest City
County Commissioner, District 3
Edwin “Eddie” Baxter Holland, D-Henrietta (incumbent)
Jerry Ashley Wease, D-Mooresboro
Register of Deeds
Charles Albert Martell, R-Forest City
Faye Howard Huskey, D-Forest City (incumbent)
School Board, at large
Jacqueline “Jackie” Strong Hampton, D-Forest City (incumbent)
School Board, District 1
Miles Barry Gold, R-Rutherfordton (incumbent)
School Board, District 2
John Mark Bennett, D-Forest City (incumbent)
School Board, District 3
Richard “Ritchie” Samuel Garland, D-Mooresboro (incumbent)
SWAIN
Board of Education
Gerald “Jerry” G. Mckinney, D-Bryson City (incumbent)
Lambert G. Wilson, D-Bryson City (incumbent)
James Maurice Biggs, D-Bryson City
Mellie K. Burns, R-Bryson City (incumbent)
County Commissioner
Boyd Andre Gunter, D-Bryson City
Carolyn Sue Bair, R-Whittier
David Monteith, D-Bryson City (incumbent)
Stephen “Steve” Whitley Moon, D-Bryson City (incumbent)
Wayne Henry Dover, D-Bryson City
TRANSYLVANIA
County Commissioner
James David Lorenz, R-Brevard
Jason Robert Chappell, R-Brevard (incumbent)
Michael “Mike” Stephen Hawkins, R-Brevard (incumbent)
Page Ives Level, R-Brevard (incumbent)
Register of Deeds
Cynthia “Cindy” McCall Ownbey, D-Balsam Grove (incumbent)
WATAUGA
County Commissioner, District 1
Diane Warman Blanks, D-Boone
Henry Perry Yates, R-Boone (incumbent)
County Commissioner, District 2
Elizabeth Kingsley Shukis, R-Boone
John Everett Welch, D-Boone (incumbent)
County Commissioner, District 4
David Richard Blust, R-Boone (incumbent)
Larry K. Turnbow, D-Blowing Rock
Board of Education (nonpartisan)
Brenda Cole Reese, D-Banner Elk (incumbent)
Ronald “Ron” Ivan Henries, R-Deep Gap (incumbent)
Jon Stephen “Steve” Combs, D-Sugar Grove
Register of Deeds
Amy Jones Shook, R-Boone (incumbent)
YANCEY
County Commissioner
Jeff Obrien Whitson, R-Burnsville (incumbent)
James “Jim” Moore Edwards, D-Burnsville
John D. Stallings, D-Burnsville
Kenneth James Winters, D-Spruce Pine
Board of Education (nonpartisan)
Angela “Angie” Dawn Weatherman, R-Burnsville (incumbent)
Anthony Preston Allen, D-Burnsville
William “Bill” Harrison Whiteside Jr., U-Burnsville (incumbent)
Edwin D. Fortner, R-Burnsville
Erica Griffith Edwards, D-Burnsville
Gerald T. Blalock, R-Burnsville
P. Norbert “Norb” McKinney, U-Burnsville (incumbent)
Register of Deeds
Rachel Ann Austin, R-Burnsville
John Randall “Randy” Ollis, D-Burnsville
Susan Erline Jobe, D-Burnsville (incumbent)
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