As of June 24, 2024, David R. Gooden did not have a website and did not complete our questionnaire.

Bladen Journal, Canvass in Bladen approved; Gooden will request hand recount

David R. Gooden previously served as a Bladen County Commissioner. He served 2 terms from 2012 to 2020.

As of June 8, 2025, David R. Gooden did not have a website or any information online.

Public Services

Said, "My number one philosophy is keep tax rates down."

- Said, "My number one philosophy is keep tax rates down."

Economy

Believes some Bladen County schools need to be closed.

- Believes some Bladen County schools need to be closed.

Education

Public Safety

Housing & Urban Development

Transportation & Infrastructure

David R. Gooden

As of June 24, 2024, G. Michael Cogdell did not have a website and did not complete our questionnaire.

Bladen Journal, Bladen commissioner: Two-term incumbent, Cogdell, promoting equalities

Michael is a retired teacher and business owner.

Bladen County Commissioners, G. Michael Cogdell

G. Michael Cogdell is currently a County Commissioner for Bladen County. He was first elected in 2012 and is serving his third term. Michael previously served on the Bladen County Board of Education.

As of June 8, 2025, G. Michael Cogdell did not have a website or any information online.

Wants to decrease economic disparities in Bladen County.

- Wants to decrease economic disparities in Bladen County.

G. Michael Cogdell

As of June 24, 2024, Mark Gillespie did not have a website and did not complete our questionnaire.

Bladen Journal, Bladen commissioner: Gillespie says infrastructure vital to success of county

Mark is the manager of the ABC Store in Elizabethtown.

Bladen County, Meet Our County Commissioners

Mark Gillespie is currently a Bladen County Commissioner. He was first elected in 2010 and served until 2014. He was reelected in 2020, and is now seeking a third term.

As of June 8, 2025, Mark Gillespie did not have a website or any information online.

Said, "We’ve got to build our infrastructure in the county. We’ve got to figure out a way to market ourselves so we can recruit businesses here."

- Said, "We’ve got to build our infrastructure in the county. We’ve got to figure out a way to market ourselves so we can recruit businesses here."

Mark Gillespie

As of June 24, 2024, Ray Britt did not have a website and did not complete our questionnaire.

Bladen commissioner: Chairman, Britt, seeking reelection to board

Ray has worked as the owner and operator of Ray's in the city of Elizabethtown.

Ray Britt currently serves as a Bladen County Commissioner. He was elected in 2016 and has served two terms.

Open Letter – Thank you again to Bladen County Commissioners

Advocated for the expansion of early voting through the addition of early voting sites and Sunday voting.

- Advocated for the expansion of early voting through the addition of early voting sites and Sunday voting.

Advocated for higher pay for jobs and expansion of industries.

- Advocated for higher pay for jobs and expansion of industries.

- Advocated supporting the school system.

As of June 8, 2025, Ray Britt did not have a website or any information online.

Supports expansion of housing in the county.

- Supports expansion of housing in the county.

Ray Britt

- County Commissioners create and pass laws at the county-level. These laws show up in very tangible ways, such as determining how much you pay property and sales tax rates, public transportation, and maintaining infrastructure.
- County Commissioners are responsible for preparing and passing the county budget. The budget determines how much funding goes to various public services, such as public transportation, law enforcement, repairing roads, and maintaining infrastructure.
- County Commissioners oversee the administrative duties of your county’s government to ensure the safety, comfort, and well-being of county residents.
- County Commissioners can create, change, or abolish offices, positions, departments that are not required by law. 
- County Commissioners are elected to 4-year terms, with no term limits. Typically, you only vote for the County Commissioner that represents your county commission district.