2026 North Carolina General Election

Meet Bob Drach

Bob Drach and his family settled in New Hanover County in 2004. His kids went to school here. They played basketball, performed in regional bands, and made friends across the community.

Meet Bob Drach

Bob holds a bachelor’s degree from the College of William and Mary, an MBA and Certificate in Public Management from Stanford University and is a Certified Management Accountant (CMA). He served as CEO of HMF Express from 2004 to 2020 and previously held leadership positions in business.

Bob Drach and his family settled in New Hanover County in 2004. He holds a bachelor's degree from the College of William and Mary and an MBA and Certificate in Public Management from Stanford University.

He served as CEO of HMF Express from 2004 to 2020 and previously held leadership positions in business. He also taught in Baltimore and Tanzania schools, served on the New Hanover County Board of Equalization and Review, and ran for North Carolina State Auditor in 2024.

Bob Drach previously served as chief executive officer of HMF Express. He also taught in schools in Baltimore and Tanzania and held leadership positions in business.

Bob previously ran for North Carolina State Auditor in 2024.

Managing Our Budget

As a Certified Management Accountant, strong financial management is my calling card. New Hanover County should focus on reducing debt service costs, which currently consume about 12% of the county budget. Lower debt obligations would free up resources for core services while improving the county’s long-term financial health.

Because voters in 2022 rejected a tax increase referendum, property taxes should be held at their current level.

Bob Drach For New Hanover County Commissioner — Issues

Tar Heel: As someone with extensive financial-management experience, what changes would you push for in county budgeting, transparency, and long-term fiscal planning?

Drach: Best practice for a county is to have general reserves of 17% to cover cash flow needs. I would restore this as a priority. Another thing that seems obvious is the difference between interest earned on the revenue stabilization fund, which is reported to be 2.25%, and the interest paid on recent debt issued by the county, which is reportedly 4.25%.

Drach - Libertarian Party of North Carolina

Drach: The County has made a series of bad financial decisions, and at this point can go in one of two different directions. One is to raise taxes, grow services faster than revenues support, and max out its debt capacity.

The other is to fit our spending into the current tax base, accelerate paydown of debt and pending school bond, and make New Hanover County a more affordable and sustainable place. I chose the second path, which would change the discussion from "How do we raise taxes?" to "How do we further reduce the burden of taxes?"

Lower debt obligations would free up resources for core services while improving the county’s long-term financial health.

Because voters in 2022 rejected a tax increase referendum, property taxes should be held at their current level. In order to increase spending on priorities, the county should seek greater efficiency across its operations and ensure every tax dollar is spent wisely.

The County Endowment, which now exceeds $1.5 billion, deserves closer scrutiny.

In order to increase spending on priorities, the county should seek greater efficiency across its operations and ensure every tax dollar is spent wisely.

The County Endowment, which now exceeds $1.5 billion, deserves closer scrutiny. Locking this money up was a policy mistake by the County and it should now explore all avenues to see that money is used to reduce debt, invest in public schools, and provide meaningful tax relief for residents.

Supports reducing county debt and restoring general reserves to 17% of spending for cash-flow needs.

Supports holding property taxes at current levels and finding operational efficiencies to fund county priorities.

Proposes examining county endowment funds for debt reduction, public-school investment, and property-tax relief.

- Supports reducing county debt and restoring general reserves to 17% of spending for cash-flow needs.
- Supports holding property taxes at current levels and finding operational efficiencies to fund county priorities.
- Proposes examining county endowment funds for debt reduction, public-school investment, and property-tax relief.

Economy

Tar Heel: For residents who value both personal freedom and practical local problem-solving, what concrete differences would they notice if you were on the Board?

Drach: Most constituents want the local government to make their lives better. Like, there are emergency services that kick in when we have hurricanes. The county helps fund education for over 20,000 students. Fire stations are less than 5 miles away from everywhere. Sheriff's deputies are on call 24 hours a day. We have parks and trails. There are some cost-effective safety net and diversion programs that help people get back on track. These are the programs that I would protect.

For capital spending, I can explain my approach by looking back at some recent County capital projects. I would have put more money into the failing public-school infrastructure and much less into new government offices, museum, libraries, and the out of the blue purchase of a local building for the already well-resourced community college.

Pledges to protect county emergency services, education funding, parks and trails, and cost-effective safety-net and diversion programs.

Would prioritize public-school infrastructure over new county offices, museums, libraries, and a community-college building purchase.

- Pledges to protect county emergency services, education funding, parks and trails, and cost-effective safety-net and diversion programs.
- Would prioritize public-school infrastructure over new county offices, museums, libraries, and a community-college building purchase.

Public Services

Drach: The county is landlocked and out of space. All effort should now go into preserving green space and maximizing the value (and hence tax revenue potential) of every parcel in the county. If we are going to have zoning laws and planning maps, they should not be gamed. When developers purchase property subject to zoning, they should not change the zoning ad hoc in a way that pushes costs onto others.

What Makes Sense
Protecting Our Environment

New Hanover County continues to grow, but growth should be managed responsibly and in the best interest of residents—not simply developers.

Developers should pay their fair share and should not receive unnecessary subsidies or special treatment.

Conservation areas should be protected from development and preserved for future generations.

Opposes ad hoc zoning changes that shift development costs onto others.

Supports requiring developers to pay their fair share and opposes unnecessary subsidies or special treatment.

- Opposes ad hoc zoning changes that shift development costs onto others.
- Supports requiring developers to pay their fair share and opposes unnecessary subsidies or special treatment.

Housing & Urban Development

Drach: The Republican County Commission failed to set capital spending priorities, leaving the county maxed-out on debt service while the capital needs of schools have been neglected. They mismanaged the financial windfall from the sale of the County Hospital — a big wasted opportunity. Republicans are "troubled" by Flock camera warrantless surveillance or make no comment at all while I'm on record to cancel the contract. Should I go on?

Tar Heel: Although the Board of Commissioners does not write state firearms law, how would your strong support for the right to bear arms influence your approach to local public-safety policies, county facilities, and cooperation with state or federal agencies?

Drach: I believe there is more opportunity for community-based policing. The County Commission is limited regarding direct policy. What the commission does is fud the Sherriff's office. The Sherriff is an elected equal branch of local government. But through budget discussions and funding of complementary social services, I will give this issue focus.

Plans to cancel the county's contract for Flock camera surveillance.

Supports expanding community-based policing through county budget discussions and funding for complementary social services.

- Plans to cancel the county's contract for Flock camera surveillance.
- Supports expanding community-based policing through county budget discussions and funding for complementary social services.

Public Safety

As of September 2, 2026, Bob Drach’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Transportation & Infrastructure

Developers should pay their fair share and should not receive unnecessary subsidies or special treatment.

Conservation areas should be protected from development and preserved for future generations.

Regarding the PFAS (“forever chemicals”) issue in the Cape Fear River, I support the attention incumbent Commissioner Rob Zapple has brought to this important issue and believe the county should remain engaged in protecting our community’s environmental health.

Tar Heel: You have highlighted the importance of keeping growth in line with infrastructure and protecting green space. What specific policies would you support or oppose to achieve that balance?

Drach: Recent county expenditures from the just mentioned Revenue Stabilization Fund to buy parcels along the Cape Fear River and for local parks were a great use of a small fraction of money set aside for this use. There is more money there for more purchases like these.

Conservation areas should be protected from development and preserved for future generations.

Regarding the PFAS (“forever chemicals”) issue in the Cape Fear River, I support the attention incumbent Commissioner Rob Zapple has brought to this important issue and believe the county should remain engaged in protecting our community’s environmental health.

Managing Our Budget

Supports protecting conservation areas from development and using revenue stabilization funds for riverfront and park land purchases.

Supports continued county engagement to protect community health from exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in the Cape Fear River.

- Supports protecting conservation areas from development and using revenue stabilization funds for riverfront and park land purchases.
- Supports continued county engagement to protect community health from exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in the Cape Fear River.

Energy & the Environment

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Bob Drach

- Supports requiring developers to pay their fair share and opposes unnecessary subsidies or special treatment.

Isaac Brickman

Buket Urgen

LeAnn is from Penderlea, North Carolina. She attended Craven Community College and East Carolina University. She has a bachelor’s degree in biology from East Carolina University. She lives with her two sons in Carolina Beach, North Carolina.

LeAnn Pierce | New Hanover County, NC

LeAnn Pierce is from Penderlea, North Carolina. She has a bachelor’s degree in biology from East Carolina University. She lives with her two sons in Carolina Beach, North Carolina.

LeAnn was the owner and operator of Drifter's Reef Hotel in Carolina Beach. She sold the business in 2024.

LeAnn Pierce was first elected to the town council eight years ago and has served as mayor for the past two years.

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LeAnn Pierce was first elected to the Carolina Beach town council in 2013. She was re-elected in 2017 and then voted mayor in 2019. She was first elected to the New Hanover county board of commissioners in 2022 and is serving her first term.

Believes in "small government and lower taxes" and supports maintaining revenue neutrality.

Believes that creating higher-paying jobs with a sustainable living wage will help address workforce housing needs and supports government partnerships with the private sector and state partners to tackle economic issues.

- Believes in "small government and lower taxes" and supports maintaining revenue neutrality.
- Believes that creating higher-paying jobs with a sustainable living wage will help address workforce housing needs and supports government partnerships with the private sector and state partners to tackle economic issues.

As of September 2, 2026, LeAnn Pierce’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Believes affordable workforce housing is a significant issue in New Hanover County due to high property values and rental prices.

- Believes affordable workforce housing is a significant issue in New Hanover County due to high property values and rental prices.

Supports and funds law enforcement to ensure community safety.

- Supports and funds law enforcement to ensure community safety.

Supports modernizing public transportation by implementing smaller buses, a ride share program, and a trolly-style system to improve efficiency and traffic flow.

Supports modernizing public transportation by implementing smaller buses, a ride share program, and a trolley-style system to improve efficiency and traffic flow.

- Supports modernizing public transportation by implementing smaller buses, a ride share program, and a trolley-style system to improve efficiency and traffic flow.

Supports reducing single-use plastics, recycling programs, and balanced tree preservation initiatives.

- Supports reducing single-use plastics, recycling programs, and balanced tree preservation initiatives.

LeAnn Pierce

LeShonda Wallace is from Newark, New Jersey. 

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LeShonda Wallace has a Ph.D in public health from Walden University, a master's in nursing from the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, and a bachelor's degree from Rutgers University.

LeShonda is a public health clinician. She works at the New Hanover County Health Department.

LeShonda is a public health clinician. She is also the founder and executive director of SEEDS, which supports individuals affected by HIV/AIDS.

Dr. LeShonda Wallace previously ran for New Hanover County commissioner in 2026 but did not win.

This is LeShonda's first time running for public office.

Supports initiatives focused on small business and entrepreneur development, job training, and workforce development.

Said, "I do not think the current tax rate is sufficient to support services that provide real benefits to residents."

Supports managing new development to balance economic growth with infrastructure capacity and environmental protection.

- Supports initiatives focused on small business and entrepreneur development, job training, and workforce development.
- Said, "I do not think the current tax rate is sufficient to support services that provide real benefits to residents."
- Supports managing new development to balance economic growth with infrastructure capacity and environmental protection.

- Promotes quality and timely healthcare.

Supports investing in affordable housing and protecting low- and moderate-income residents.

Supports reforming the zoning code to allow for accessory development units (ADUs) and duplexes.

Supports converting vacant or underused commercial buildings into residential housing through adaptive reuse.

- Supports investing in affordable housing and protecting low- and moderate-income residents.
- Supports reforming the zoning code to allow for accessory development units (ADUs) and duplexes.
- Supports converting vacant or underused commercial buildings into residential housing through adaptive reuse.

As of September 2, 2026, LeShonda Wallace’s website did not contain information on this issue.

- Supports transit-orientated development.

Is concerned about water quality and "responsible land use."

- Is concerned about water quality and "responsible land use."

LeShonda Wallace

Richard Collier grew up in eastern North Carolina.

Richard is a regional growth manager at McKim and Creed engineering and surveying firm. He has worked there for over 30 years.

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Richard previously served two terms on the New Hanover County Planning Board. He is currently serving his third term on the Wilmington Planning Commission.

Supports the growth of small businesses, advanced manufacturing, and technology by streamlining permitting and ensuring infrastructure keeps pace.

- Supports the growth of small businesses, advanced manufacturing, and technology by streamlining permitting and ensuring infrastructure keeps pace.

Supports improvements to public transportation, including "microtransit, shuttle services, and better connections to the airport, job centers, and UNCW."

- Supports improvements to public transportation, including "microtransit, shuttle services, and better connections to the airport, job centers, and UNCW."

Supports zoning reforms that allow accessory dwelling units (ADUs) and multi-family housing in targeted locations, paired with incentives for developers who include affordable or workforce units.

- Supports zoning reforms that allow accessory dwelling units (ADUs) and multi-family housing in targeted locations, paired with incentives for developers who include affordable or workforce units.

Supports community policing and collaboration with the district attorney’s office to address drug-related crime and repeat offenders.

- Supports community policing and collaboration with the district attorney’s office to address drug-related crime and repeat offenders.

Believes the city should work with the North Carolina Department of Transportation and the Wilmington Metropolitan Planning Organization to ensure state-funded projects align with local growth and invest in local infrastructure.

- Believes the city should work with the North Carolina Department of Transportation and the Wilmington Metropolitan Planning Organization to ensure state-funded projects align with local growth and invest in local infrastructure.

Supports requiring developers to exceed minimum standards for environmental conservation, such as preserving tree canopies and investing in stormwater management.

- Supports requiring developers to exceed minimum standards for environmental conservation, such as preserving tree canopies and investing in stormwater management.

Richard M. Collier

Rob is a graduate of the University of Virginia. He and his wife, Michele, have been married 38 years. They have three children; Holden, Zoey and Jack, all of whom have graduated from North Carolina universities, and four grandchildren. Rob and his wife Michele have lived and worked in Wilmington for the past 24 years.

Rob Zapple is a graduate of the University of Virginia. Rob is a member of the Downtown Wilmington Rotary Club and serves on the Board of Trustees for the Thalian Hall Center for the Performing Arts. Rob lives in Wilmington with his wife Michele.

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Rob is a general contractor and owner of Rob Zapple Design and Build, Inc.

Rob is currently a member of the New Hanover County Board of Commissioners. He was first elected in 2014 and re-elected in 2018. He previously ran for a position on the New Hanover County Board of Commissioners in 2012 but did not win.

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Promises to ensure the government operates within its budget.

- Promises to ensure the government operates within its budget.

As a County Commissioner, worked to increase funding for local non-profits and doubled the number of pre-K classrooms.

As a county commissioner, increased funding for local non-profits and doubled the number of pre-K classrooms.

Advocates for transparency in how funds from the sale of New Hanover Regional Medical Center are used.

As a New Hanover County Commissioner, Zapple voted to fast-track the development of Hanover Pines Nature Park.

- Supported increasing pay for teachers.
- As a county commissioner, increased funding for local non-profits and doubled the number of pre-K classrooms.
- Advocates for transparency in how funds from the sale of New Hanover Regional Medical Center are used.
- As a New Hanover County Commissioner, Zapple voted to fast-track the development of Hanover Pines Nature Park.

Supports the creation of affordable housing.

Supports the continued creation of affordable housing.

- Supports the continued creation of affordable housing.

Supports a strong, transparent, and accountable law enforcement effort, and encourages communication and cooperation between different law enforcement agencies to ensure community safety.

- Supports a strong, transparent, and accountable law enforcement effort, and encourages communication and cooperation between different law enforcement agencies to ensure community safety.

Supports increased funding for transportation projects such as multi-use trails, bike paths, public transportation, rail realignment, and a new Cape Fear River bridge.

- Supports increased funding for transportation projects such as multi-use trails, bike paths, public transportation, rail realignment, and a new Cape Fear River bridge.

Opposes allowing pollutants in waterways or air.

Believes in balancing economic growth with environmental conservation and maintaining quality of life.

Supports stricter environmental regulations.

- Opposes allowing pollutants in waterways or air.
- Believes in balancing economic growth with environmental conservation and maintaining quality of life.
- Supports stricter environmental regulations.

Rob Zapple

- 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.

Creates new laws and passes the budget for your county.

New Hanover County Commissioner

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New Hanover County Commissioner

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