Gary earned his bachelor's degree in finance from the University of Illinois. He and his wife have three children.

Gary is a business entrepreneur who founded an insurance firm in 2001 and sold it in June 2023. 

Gary Sides currently serves as a member of the Union County Board of Education. He was first elected in 2014 and is serving his third term. Gary has previously been vice chair of the board.

As of June 14, 2024, Gary Sides’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Public Services

Candidate website

Believes in favorable economic development to reduce the tax burden on homeowners.

Supports favorable economic development to reduce the tax burden on homeowners.

- Supports favorable economic development to reduce the tax burden on homeowners.

Economy

Opposes CRT and DEI in education. As a school board member, developed a motion to review objectionable books in school libraries.

As a school board member, developed a motion to review "objectionable books" in school libraries.

Supports "increased funding for our public school system."

Supports increased funding for the public school system.

Opposes critical race theory (CRT) as well as diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in schools.

- As a school board member, developed a motion to review "objectionable books" in school libraries.
- Supports increased funding for the public school system.
- Opposes critical race theory (CRT) as well as diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in schools.

Education

Supports prioritizing first responders and improving public safety infrastructure.

Public Safety

Housing & Urban Development

Said, "Preserving our rural setting and improving our roads and intersections are also key to maintaining the quality of life in Union County."

- Said, "Preserving our rural setting and improving our roads and intersections are also key to maintaining the quality of life in Union County."

Transportation & Infrastructure

Facebook

LinkedIn

Gary Sides

Gary Sides has been a resident of Union County since 1991 and holds a BS in Finance from the University of Illinois. He and his wife are licensed therapeutic foster parents who have adopted three children, one from Union County DSS. Their oldest child is serving in the US Army, and their youngest attends Union County Public Schools.

Gary Sides is a business entrepreneur who founded an insurance firm in 2001, which he grew to over $7 million in sales before selling it in June 2023. He has served on the Union County Board of Education since 2014, holding positions such as Vice Chair and chair of various committees. Previously, he was appointed to the Stallings, NC Town Council in 2004-2005.

Gary Sides has been an elected member of the Union County Board of Education since 2014, serving as Vice Chair and on the Finance, Curriculum, Policy, Special Projects, and Facilities committees. He was first elected in 2014 with over 60% of the vote and was re-elected in 2018 and 2022. Additionally, he served as Chairman of the UC Education Foundation in 2013-14 and was an appointed member of the Stallings, NC Town Council in 2004-5.

As a UCPS board member, supported a mask-optional policy and proposed motions for optional in-person graduation and a return to five-day in-person classes post-restrictions.

As a Union County Board of Education member, managed significant challenges including a lawsuit, superintendent changes, student reassignment, COVID restrictions, and policies on CRT, EDI, and inappropriate books in school libraries.

Believes in advocating for educational excellence and continuity, especially during crises. As a Board of Education member, navigated the Covid crisis focusing on student well-being and opposed divisive ideologies in education.

The candidate's website says, "Hired a new superintendent after the retirement of the former superintendent after allegations of misconduct. Our current superintendent has been with UCPS for 8+ years now."

The candidate's website says, "Helped settle the school board vs. County Commission lawsuit soon after joining the board."

Supports "road and intersection improvements" as part of his transportation and infrastructure policy.

- 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.