Local candidates begin filing for 2026 – The Taylorsville Times

Matt Dillon attended Catawba Valley Community College. He lives with his wife, Heather, and has four children and attends Jesus Revelation Church, where he is a deacon and musician.

Matt currently works as the owner and operator of Dillow Construction and Dillow Masonry.

Matt Dillow (Alexander County Board of Commissioners, North Carolina, candidate 2026)

Matt's campaign for Alexander County Commission is his first run for public office.

Said he favors "a more conservative approach on how tax dollars are spent."

- Said he favors "a more conservative approach on how tax dollars are spent."

Economy

As of January 2, 2026, Matt Dillow did not have a website or any information online.

Public Services

Housing & Urban Development

Public Safety

Transportation & Infrastructure

Energy & the Environment

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Matt Dillow

As of January 2, 2026, Matt Dillow’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Buket Urgen

Andrew Johnson went to Alexander Central High School. He has a wife and child. 

Andrew's campaign for county commissioner is his first run for public office.

As of January 2, 2026, Andrew Johnson did not have a website or any information online.

Andrew Johnson

As of January 2, 2026, Andrew Johnson’s website did not contain information on this issue.

ALAMANCE BOARD OF ELECTIONS 2026 Primary

Darren Warren is from Taylorsville. He graduated Temple Baptist School. Darren lives in Taylorsville and attends Freedom Baptist Church.

Darren Warren's campaign for Alexander County Commissioner is his first entry into politics.

11/05/2024 OFFICIAL GENERAL ELECTION RESULTS - ALEXANDER

Darren previously ran to be an Alexander County commissioner in 2024, but did not win.

Supports spending cuts and tax cuts, including an eventual sunset on property tax.

Supports spending and tax cuts, including an eventual sunset on property tax.

Believes grants should be used to cut expenditures and local taxes, but criticizes their current use for expanding government and increasing taxes.

Supports grants being used to cut expenditures and local taxes, but opposes when they are used to grow the size and budget of local government.

- Supports spending and tax cuts, including an eventual sunset on property tax.
- Supports grants being used to cut expenditures and local taxes, but opposes when they are used to grow the size and budget of local government.

Said he would "ensure that county resources are only available to and used by U.S. Citizens residing in Alexander County."

- Said he would "ensure that county resources are only available to and used by U.S. Citizens residing in Alexander County."

Supports a return to original zoning setbacks.

Supports a return to original 15' zoning setbacks.

- Supports a return to original 15' zoning setbacks.

As of January 2, 2026, Darren Warren’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Darren Warren

- Said "Ensure that county resources are only available to and used by U.S. Citizens residing in Alexander County."

Darren Warren is from and currently lives in Taylorsville. Darren graduated Temple Baptist School. Darren attends Freedom Baptist Church.

Larry Yoder

Larry Yoder's campaign for Alexander County Commissioner in the Republican Primary is his first entry into politics.

As of January 2, 2026, Larry Yoder’s website did not contain information on this issue.

LinkedIn

Commissioners

Larry Yoder and his wife, Hazel Adams Yoder, live in Taylorsville. He is a graduate of Lincolnton High School and attended Western Carolina University, Gaston College, and Catawba Valley Community College. Larry is a member of First Baptist Church.

Larry is employed in the transportation sector. 



Yoder Announces Bid For N.C. House

Yoder previously served as an Alexander County Commissioner from 2004-2016. He was re-elected in November 2018 and again in November 2022. He served as Vice-Chairman for 2025.

As of January 2, 2026, Larry Yoder did not have a website or any information online.

Marty Loudermilt

Marty Loudermilt attended Mitchell Community College. He lives in Stony Point with his wife and three children. He is a member of Sulphur Springs Baptist Church.

Marty is retired from law enforcement. He previously served as a Lieutenant with the Troutman Police Department and as a Deputy with the Alexander County Sheriff's Office. Previously, he was employed part-time with G.L. Wilson Building Company.

Marty Loudermilt's campaign for Alexander County Board of Commissioners is his first time running for public office.

Marty previously served ten years on the Alexander County Board of Education.

As of January 2, 2026, Marty Loudermilt did not have a website or any information online.

As of January 2, 2026, Marty Loudermilt’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Marty is retired from law enforcement. He previously served as a lieutenant with the Troutman Police Department and as a deputy with the Alexander County Sheriff's Office. Previously, he was employed part-time with G.L. Wilson Building Company.

Marty Pennell lives with his wife, Jennifer, in Taylorsville and has four children and two grandchildren.

Marty is the owner and real estate broker at The Pennell Group. He also operates Pennell Construction Company.

Marty is the owner of The Pennell Group, a real estate brokerage, and operator of Pennell Construction Company,

Marty Pennell is currently a member of the Alexander County Board of Commissioners representing Alexander County. He was first elected as a county commissioner in November 2018 and was re-elected in November 2022, and is currently serving his second term. He will serve as Chairman of the Board in 2025.

Marty currently serves as a member of the Alexander County Commission. He was first elected in 2018 and is serving his second term.

As of January 2, 2026, Marty Pennell did not have a website or any information online.

Instagram

Marty Pennell

As of January 2, 2026, Marty Pennell’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Michael's campaign for Alexander County Commission is his first run for public office.

Supports returning to an eight year property tax evaluation cycle and lowering tax rates.

- Supports returning to an eight year property tax evaluation cycle and lowering tax rates.

As of January 2, 2026, Michael Pennell did not have a website or any information online.

Opposes high-density housing construction.

- Opposes high-density housing construction.

Michael Pennell

As of January 2, 2026, Michael Pennell’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Commissioners take oaths of office – The Taylorsville Times

Alexander County (NC) Commissioners

Ronnie L. Reese attended Alexander Central High School and the University of North Carolina School of Elected Officials. He lives with his wife, Vilas, in Wittenburg, and attends Macedonia Baptist Church as a deacon, Sunday school teacher, and choir member.

Ronnie is the owner of R.V.M. Motor Company. He previously worked as a field adjuster for Allstate and as a shop manager for Reese's Body Shop.

Ronnie L. Reese ran for the Alexander County Board of Commissioners in 2022 but did not win.

11/08/2022 OFFICIAL GENERAL ELECTION RESULTS - ALEXANDER

Ronnie currently serves as an Alexander County Commissioner. He was first elected in 2014 and is in his third term. He previously served on the Alexander County School Board. He served two terms.

Supports lowering taxes, with plans to lower them again.

Supported various property upgrades without raising taxes.

- Supports lowering taxes, with plans to lower them again.
- Supported various property upgrades without raising taxes.

Supports continued expansion of Catawba Valley Community College's (CVCC) Workforce Training Center.

- Supports continued expansion of Catawba Valley Community College's (CVCC) Workforce Training Center.

As of January 2, 2026, Ronnie L. Reese did not have a website or any information online.

Ronnie L. Reese

Ronnie L. Reese lives with his wife, Vilas, in Wittenburg, and attends Macedonia Baptist Church as a deacon, Sunday school teacher, and choir member.

As of January 2, 2026, Ronnie L. Reese’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Ryan Mayberry

Ryan Mayberry is from the Hiddenite Community of Alexander County, North Carolina. He has an associate degree from Wilkes Community College and a bachelor’s degree from Appalachian State University.

Ryan is a construction contractor and real estate developer. He owns his own construction company and works as a licensed real estate broker, helping clients buy and sell properties. He previously served three terms on the Alexander County Board of Commissioners, including three years as chairman and three years as vice-chairman.

Ryan Mayberry served three terms on the Alexander County Board of Commissioners, including three years as chairman and three years as vice-chairman. He previously ran for the U.S. House to represent North Carolina’s 5th Congressional District in 2024 but did not win.

As of January 2, 2026, Ryan Mayberry’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Ryan is from Hiddenite, North Carolina. He attended Wilkes Community College and Appalachian State University. He has an associate’s degree from Wilkes Community College and a bachelor’s degree from Appalachian State University.

Ryan Mayberry - Ballotpedia

NC Primary Guide: Voter lookup, candidates, election results map ...

Candidates and Issues for the 2024 Elections in Watauga County ...

Longtime Incumbent and Former County Commissioner battle it out ...

Believes the Federal Government spends too much and should be more efficient with taxpayer money.

Believes the economy is struggling under current policies, with rising gas prices, unaffordable groceries, and challenges for families to achieve homeownership.

- Believes the Federal Government spends too much and should be more efficient with taxpayer money.
- Believes the economy is struggling under current policies, with rising gas prices, unaffordable groceries, and challenges for families to achieve homeownership.

As of January 2, 2026, Ryan Mayberry did not have a website or any information online.

Supports an "all of the above" strategy for energy, advocating for increased oil production, coal mining, nuclear reactor construction, and investment in research and development for new technologies.

- Supports an "all of the above" strategy for energy, advocating for increased oil production, coal mining, nuclear reactor construction, and investment in research and development for new technologies.

- 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.