2026 North Carolina General Election

Ronda Mayor Vacant Orig Elect 11-2024 (To be elected as unexpired term in 11/2026 Elections)
Ronda Commissioner Matthew Foster 225 Martin Street, Ronda, NC 28670 Orig Elect 11-2024 / Appt 2026 (To be elected as unexpired term in 11/2026 Elections)
Ronda Commissioner Helen Porter 625 Cemetery St, Ronda NC 28670 336-835-5427 Elected 11-2022
Ronda Commissioner Chris Nelson 885 Factory St, Ronda NC 28670 336-906-4484 Elected 11-2022 chrisnelsonrtc22@gmail.com
Ronda Commissioner Kevin Reece 685 Factory St, Ronda NC 2870 336-469-8528 Orig Elect 11-2022 / Appt 10-2025 widowcreek@hotmail.com

Town-Officials-112025 (PDF)

The Town of Ronda also held a municipal non-partisan election on Tuesday, Nov. 8.

Seven candidates ran for three seats on the Ronda Town Board of Commissioners.

Elected were Chris Nelson, with 78 votes for 20.10 percent; Helen T. Porter 67 votes for 17.27 percent; and JoAnn Royal 53 votes for 13.66 percent.
Rounding out the voting in Ronda, Roberta "Mickey" Cruise had 47 votes for 12.11 percent; Victor Varela 39 votes for 10.5 percent; Bobby Munsey 36 votes for 9.28 percent and Manuel Wood 27 votes for 6.96 percent.

Wilkes, N.C., sees 'Red Wave,' Foxx keeps seat, Budd wins

Chris currently serves as a Ronda town commissioner. He was elected in 2022.

Ronda has full Town Board of Commissioners again

Chris Nelson currently serves as a Ronda town commissioner. He was elected in 2022.

Commissioner Kevin Reese voted against the motion, saying he promised voters that he wouldn’t raise taxes. Commissioners Chris Nelson and Matthew Foster were absent, but they joined Munsey and Porter in voting to raise the tax rate to 26 cents in a recent meeting.

Tax, water rates upped to steady finances

Voted for increasing Ronda's tax rate to 26 cents.

- Voted for increasing Ronda's tax rate to 26 cents.

Economy

On Tuesday, the Ronda Board of Commissioners voted to ask the North Carolina General Assembly to place the question of dissolving the town on the ballot for residents to decide.

"Whatever this town decides is exactly what I'll go with," said Commissioner Chris Nelson. "I am a representative of this community and not a leader," he added.

Could Ronda dissolve? Residents could vote on dissolving town

Commissioners stressed the importance of getting citizen feedback before moving forward.

"If we decided to vote tonight that we intended to dissolve this town we would either have eggs or mudpies on our face before we ever got home," said Nelson....

Said he would defer to residents on whether to dissolve Ronda, warning against deciding without citizen feedback.

- Said he would defer to residents on whether to dissolve Ronda, warning against deciding without citizen feedback.

Public Services

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

Housing & Urban Development

Reconvene at 4:35pm to Vote
1) Letter to FBI- Commissioner Nelson made a motion to send the letter, no second, motion is dead.
2) Letter to Criminal Justice Standards Division- Commissioner Nelson made a motion to
send the letter, no second, motion is dead.
3) Letter to NC State Bar Association- Commissioner Nelson made a motion to send the
letter, no second, motion is dead.

TOWN OF RONDA MINUTES (Special Meeting; September 1st, 2023)

Moved to send letters to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Criminal Justice Standards Division, and North Carolina State Bar Association.

- Moved to send letters to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Criminal Justice Standards Division, and North Carolina State Bar Association.

Public Safety

Transportation & Infrastructure

Energy & the Environment

Chris Nelson

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

Mauricio Mendez

Walter Ley

I was born in Wilkes County, I am a Republican, I am member of First Baptist Church of Ronda, and I am a business owner.

Reece launches write-in campaign for Ronda Board

In a statement to The Tribune, Reece said the fraudulent insurance claim of a ring was filed without his knowledge by his former girlfriend Debra Goldman. Reece said he bought the ring from Goldman as she needed money for her daughter’s college and said he hoped to one day marry Goldman and be able to return the ring to her to give to a grandchild. Reece said he entered an Alford plea on the obstruction charges not because he is guilty, but because he is a single parent to an autistic child and he felt the DA’s office was “playing dirty.”

Town of Ronda alleges misconduct in case against former commissioner

Kevin Reece was born in Wilkes County. He is a member of First Baptist Church of Ronda and is a single parent.

Town of Ronda alleges misconduct in case against former ...

Shortly after Goldman lost her bid for state auditor in 2012, she moved to Ronda (population 417), where she worked as executive director of the Derie Cheek Reece Foundation, a nonprofit stroke education group. Reece, the creator of that foundation, said he met Goldman on the campaign trail and felt she would be a good director for his nonprofit.

Goldman, Reece resign as Ronda town commissioners

Kevin Reece is a business owner. He created the Derie Cheek Reece Foundation, a nonprofit stroke education group.

Goldman, Reece resign as Ronda town commissioners - WRAL

Kevin is a business owner. He created the Derie Cheek Reece Foundation, a nonprofit stroke education group.

Reece had to resign as a Ronda commissioner after he entered an Alford plea to two counts of felony obstruction of justice and received a suspended sentence with 18 months of supervised probation. He regained eligibility to serve as an elected official after the 18 months of supervised probation ended and was appointed to fill a vacancy on the Ronda board by other commissioners in September 2025.

Appeals court upholds Reece suit dismissal

Goldman, her boyfriend, Kevin Reece, and Reece's political ally Sam Foster were all elected Tuesday as write-in commissioner candidates in Ronda, a tiny Wilkes County town. They took over three of the town's four commissioner seats, defeating an incumbent and shifting the balance of the board against Mayor Victor Varela, a longtime political foe of Reece's.

Goldman, Reece and Foster elected as write-in candidates in Ronda

Kevin Reece was appointed to fill a vacancy on the Ronda board in September 2025. He had previously been elected as a write-in candidate for commissioner in Ronda.

Ronda board wants Reece case investigated - Wilkes Journal-Patriot

Kevin was appointed to fill a vacancy on the Ronda board in September 2025. He had previously been elected as a write-in candidate for commissioner in Ronda.

I am for protecting taxpayer money and cutting wasteful spending. I would continue to encourage the Board to maintain what we have, to prevent big expenses due to lack of maintenance.

When it came time to do the budget, it was suggested that the town raise the in-town water rate to the same percentage as the out-of-town customers. I fought against this and was able to convince the board that the in-town citizens should not share the same burden as the out-of-town customers because the majority of the out-of-town customers were using water that Ronda was purchasing from Elkin. I was able to convince the board to apply this increase to those who were using water that the town was purchasing from Elkin. This kept the in-town water rates down. I never voted for a water rate increase to any in-town customers unlike the other commissioners.

Supports cutting wasteful spending and maintaining town assets to avoid larger costs from deferred maintenance.

Opposes raising water rates for in-town customers and says he supported applying the increase to customers using water purchased from Elkin.

- Supports cutting wasteful spending and maintaining town assets to avoid larger costs from deferred maintenance.
- Opposes raising water rates for in-town customers and says he supported applying the increase to customers using water purchased from Elkin.

The town had stopped doing any events. I requested these to be placed on the agenda: Community Bingo, Community Yard Sale days and to bring back the Roundabout Festival. Working together with the Board I was able to bring these events to Ronda.

Said he placed community bingo, yard-sale days, and the Roundabout Festival on the agenda and helped bring the events to Ronda.

- Said he placed community bingo, yard-sale days, and the Roundabout Festival on the agenda and helped bring the events to Ronda.

I have great concerns that Government has gotten to the point that it believes citizens are to serve the government and not the other way around. I am for a very limited government that stays out of the lives of the people. I oppose the tax reevaluation being done by the county at this time.

I predict the economy is about to tank and property values will fall but because of the reevaluation, our property values will go up and even with cutting the percentage, the people may end up paying more. The Town of Ronda's taxes are tied to the county assessed values. The Ronda Board sets the town's tax rates. I will do everything in my power to make sure the town agrees to go revenue neutral which means no matter how much the property values increase the citizens will pay the same amount of town tax as they do now.

Opposes the county's property-tax reevaluation at this time.

Plans to advocate for town tax rates that keep the town's total tax revenue unchanged, so residents' town tax payments do not increase with assessed property values.

- Opposes the county's property-tax reevaluation at this time.
- Plans to advocate for town tax rates that keep the town's total tax revenue unchanged, so residents' town tax payments do not increase with assessed property values.

This initially was supported by the town board, but this changed as a citizen who owned property initially agreed to allow us access to build the ramp but changed their mind. I respect private property rights, so I did not push the town to use eminent domain. The creation of a ramp, as I mentioned, is needed and will save lives. I will look for other options to protect landowners wishes and find a way to accommodate emergency personnel to save lives when I am reelected.

Plans to seek alternatives to eminent domain for an emergency boat ramp while accommodating landowners and emergency personnel.

- Plans to seek alternatives to eminent domain for an emergency boat ramp while accommodating landowners and emergency personnel.

I contacted Mayor Benge, Commissioners Simmons and Luffman . They agreed to emergency approval to have the pump houses repaired, I went out and monitored the contractor's work. I had the archive rooms placed on the agenda for repairs, this was not an easy task as some commissioners felt it was out of sight, out of mind in my opinion.

I worked directly with the general assembly making many trips to the state legislature to obtain appropriations money for Ronda. This, unlike many grants, is not money we have to pay back. My theory on this is that the State does all it can to tax you and get your money. So, I fought them to finally send some of it back to us. With the help of Representative Sara Stevens, Senator Eddie Settle, and Representative Jeffery Elmore, we were able to secure Ronda millions of dollars which is now being used to improve our water system and reduce the amount of water we are forced to buy from Elkin at very high rates.

Reece said the town had already reached out to state officials for help. At the close of the emergency meeting, Reece made a motion to ask the county for funding assistance until they can get back on their feet.

Ronda mayor pro-tem calls urgent meeting over finances

Said he sought emergency approval for pump-house repairs and monitored the contractor's work.

Said he helped secure state funding to improve Ronda's water system and reduce water purchases from Elkin.

Moved to request county funding assistance for Ronda during the town's financial distress.

- Said he sought emergency approval for pump-house repairs and monitored the contractor's work.
- Said he helped secure state funding to improve Ronda's water system and reduce water purchases from Elkin.
- Moved to request county funding assistance for Ronda during the town's financial distress.

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

Facebook

Kevin Reece

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

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

Manuel Wood

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

== Biography ==
Varela has lived in Ronda for several years and has been involved in local community activities. He has a background in business and aims to bring his experience to the town commission.

Victor Varela (Ronda Town Commission At-large, North Carolina, candidate 2026)

Victor Varela has been involved in local community activities.

Victor Varela has a background in business.

Victor Varela (Ronda Town Commission At-large, North Carolina ...

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

Victor Varela

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

Alejandra Gracias

- Town commissioners serve as the legislative body for the town government. 
- Town commissioners have the authority to decide the services offered to the town, pass the budget, decide the property tax, acquire property, and enter into agreements with other governments. 
- The town commissioners can create or abolish any offices, positions, departments, etc. to improve the organization of the town. 
- Town commissioners may make investigations into the town or any of its departments or agencies. 
- Most town commissioners in Georgia are elected in odd years to staggered 4 year terms. Elections are nonpartisan. 

Legislative body for your town's government. 

Ronda Town Commissioner

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Ronda Town Commissioner

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