2026 North Carolina General Election

Leandre was born and raised in Port-au-Prince for the first six years of his life. Many of his family members still live in the capital city of Haiti. Aunts, uncles, cousins—all were directly affected by the earthquake.

March 2010.qxd (Tip of the Spear)

Michel Leandre Jr. is a man of service committed to clear-headed, committed-faith-filled, and upfront; family-centered, community-first leadership. Armed with a Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership and decades of professional military, ministry, corporate, and government experience, Michel will bring tested and disciplined, compassionate leadership to Onslow County.

Onslow County Contests - Carolina Coast Election Watch

He is running for County Commissioner to advance the causes of Community Wellness to the top of local government’s priority list, like attainable housing, safe neighborhoods, mental wellness, youth support and empowerment, responsible growth, and strong support for veterans and military families.A devoted husband of 26 years and father of 5, Leandre believes leadership is service and his mission is simple: to serve; not to be served, and to put community wellness first.

Michel Leandre, Jr. is originally from Port-au-Prince, Haiti. He has a Ph.D. in organizational leadership. He is a husband and father of five.

Michel Leandre, Jr. has a graduate degree in organizational leadership. He is a husband and father of five.

### Michel Leandre, Jr.

Retired U.S. Marine

Retired Marine. Minister. Community Servant…
Michel Leandre Jr. is a man of service committed to clear-headed, committed-faith-filled, and upfront; family-centered, community-first leadership. Armed with a Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership and decades of professional military, ministry, corporate, and government experience, Michel will bring tested and disciplined, compassionate leadership to Onslow County.

Leandre, a contracting officer for the Marine Special Operations Command, hadn’t stepped foot in Haiti since he left almost 25 years ago. Now he’s back, working as an interpreter and traveling with civil affairs teams all around Haiti to help find out what the people need and how the various international and state organizations can be of assistance.

Michel is a retired U.S. Marine and minister. He previously worked as a contracting officer for the Marine Special Operations Command.

As of September 2, 2026, Michel Leandre, Jr. did not have a website or any information online.

Economy

Armed with a Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership and decades of professional military, ministry, corporate, and government experience, Michel will bring tested and disciplined, compassionate leadership to Onslow County.
He is running for County Commissioner to advance the causes of Community Wellness to the top of local government’s priority list, like attainable housing, safe neighborhoods, mental wellness, youth support and empowerment, responsible growth, and strong support for veterans and military families.A devoted husband of 26 years and father of 5, Leandre believes leadership is service and his mission is simple: to serve; not to be served, and to put community wellness first.

Prioritizes youth support, empowerment, and mental wellness in local government.

Prioritizes youth support, empowerment, and mental wellness.

- Prioritizes youth support, empowerment, and mental wellness.

Public Services

Prioritizes attainable housing and responsible growth in local government.

Promotes attainable housing and responsible growth.

- Promotes attainable housing and responsible growth.

Housing & Urban Development

Public Safety

Transportation & Infrastructure

Energy & the Environment

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Michel Leandre, Jr.

As of September 2, 2026, Michel Leandre, Jr.’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Isaac Brickman

Buket Urgen

With a BSBA and a forthcoming MBA from ECU, I bring a business-driven approach to county governance. I don't just want goals, I want a fiscally responsible roadmap that ensures Onslow County is a place where our children can afford to stay, work, and thrive.

Rebecca Cooper | Onslow County Commissioner

GEORGETOWN RENAISSANCE COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION

Board Member focusing on economic development and cultural heritage.

I’m not a career politician, I’m a homeschooling mom of five and the wife of a Marine veteran who is now a police officer. I’ve lived in Onslow County for 25 years, and like you, I’ve watched our community change. Growth is good, but only when it works for the people who live here, not just the developers building here.

Rebecca Cooper has a bachelor's degree in business administration and is set to earn a master's degree in business administration from ECU. She serves on the board of the Georgetown Renaissance Community Association. She is a homeschooling mother of five and the wife of a Marine veteran who now works as a police officer.

AN ECONOMY FOR EVERYONE

From our active-duty families to our civilian population, we need an economy that aligns local wages with the actual cost of living.

Wants local wages to align with the cost of living.

- Wants local wages to align with the cost of living.

LOCAL HEALTHCARE

Local healthcare is a must. As a mother of a child with Type 1 Diabetes, I know what it’s like to have to drive to Greenville or Wilmington for care. We must incentivize healthcare professionals to build their careers here.

Advocates for incentives for health care professionals to build their careers locally.

- Advocates for incentives for health care professionals to build their careers locally.

SMART GROWTH & ACCOUNTABILITY

We need smart growth that requires accountability. We cannot let infrastructure fall behind. I will fight for ordinances that hold developers responsible for the long-term impact of their projects.

Plans to pursue ordinances holding developers responsible for their projects' long-term impacts.

- Plans to pursue ordinances holding developers responsible for their projects' long-term impacts.

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

Calls for smart growth that prevents infrastructure from falling behind.

- Calls for smart growth that prevents infrastructure from falling behind.

LinkedIn

Rebecca Cooper

Royce Bennett is from Jacksonville, North Carolina. He attended Northern Nash High School. He has a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from North Carolina Wesleyan College. He has an associate’s degree in applied science from Nash Community College. He lives with his wife, Karen, in the Northwoods neighborhood of Jacksonville. He attends Blue Creek Baptist Church.

Staff Directory • Royce Bennett

CANDIDATE: Royce Bennett

Royce Bennett is from Jacksonville, North Carolina. He has an associate’s degree in applied science from Nash Community College and a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from North Carolina Wesleyan College. He lives with his wife in Jacksonville and has two adult children, one granddaughter, and one grandson. He attends Blue Creek Baptist Church.

Royce is a county commissioner. He works at the Onslow County Board of Commissioners. He previously served as a police officer and administrator at the Rocky Mount Police Department and the Morehead City Police Department for over 12 years.

Royce is an independent business person. He previously served as a police officer and administrator at the Rocky Mount Police Department and the Morehead City Police Department.

Royce currently serves as a member of the Board of Commissioners in Onslow County. He was first elected in 2022 and is serving his first term. 

Believes in re-focusing the budget to address increased taxes and declining property values.

- Believes in re-focusing the budget to address increased taxes and declining property values.

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

Royce Bennett

Tim Foster is from Onslow County, North Carolina. He has a bachelor's degree in history from the University of North Carolina and a master's degree in school administration from East Carolina University. He is married to his wife, Tashia, and they have two sons together.

Staff Directory • Tim Foster

2026 candidate filing closes, primaries set | Local News | jdnews.com

Tim Foster is from Onslow County, North Carolina. He earned a bachelor's degree in history from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington and a master's degree in school administration from East Carolina University. Tim lives with his wife, Tashia, and their two kids in Onslow County, North Carolina.

Tim is the athletic director for Onslow County Schools. He previously taught and coached in Onslow County. 

Tim currently works as the coordinator of athletics for Onslow County and head coach of the Northside High School boys' basketball team He previously served as a teacher, an assistant athletic director, an assistant principal, and a principal in the Onslow County Schools system.

is the athletic director for Onslow County Schools.

Tim is currently a member of the Onslow County Board of Commissioners.

11/08/2022 OFFICIAL GENERAL ELECTION RESULTS - ONSLOW

Tim is currently a member of the Onslow County Board of Commissioners. He was first elected in 2022 and is in his first term.

As of September 2, 2026, Tim Foster did not have a website or any information online.

Onslow County unveils new park and upcoming plans

Supports the acquisition of 22.8 acres for park expansion to enhance facilities and programs.

As chairman of the Onslow County Board of Commissioners, supported the acquisition of 22.8 acres for Onslow Pines Park expansion of facilities and programs.

As chairman of the Onslow County Board of Commissioners, helped open Hines Farm Park as a part of a five-year strategic plan to support county's youth.

As chairman of the Onslow County Board of Commissioners, supports fair elections run by the county's Board of Elections.

- As chairman of the Onslow County Board of Commissioners, supported the acquisition of 22.8 acres for Onslow Pines Park expansion of facilities and programs.
- As chairman of the Onslow County Board of Commissioners, helped open Hines Farm Park as a part of a five-year strategic plan to support county's youth.
- As chairman of the Onslow County Board of Commissioners, supports fair elections run by the county's Board of Elections.

Tim Foster

Whitney Cantrell lives in Jacksonville, North Carolina.

Whitney is an operations manager for Excel Body Works. She was previously an office manager for D&N Auto Body & Painting.

Whitney Cantrell's campaign for Onslow County commissioner.

Candidate filing opens for 2026 election | Local News | jdnews.com

Whitney Cantrell's campaign for Onslow County commissioner is her first run for public office.

As of September 2, 2026, Whitney Cantrell did not have a website or any information online.

County, firefighters discuss working together | Local News | jdnews ...

For Candidate Whitney Cantrell on Issue public-safety:  
Advocates for treating public safety teams as essential, life-saving community-driven units rather than contractors.

Said "We need to stop treating [volunteer fire fighters] like contractors and start treating them like the life-saving community-driven teams they are."

- Said "We need to stop treating [volunteer fire fighters] like contractors and start treating them like the life-saving community-driven teams they are."

Whitney Cantrell

- 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.

Onslow County Commissioner

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Onslow County Commissioner

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