2026 North Carolina General Election

2026 North Carolina Primary Election

Democrat

Libertarian

Nonpartisan

Republican

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

Economy

Public Services

Housing & Urban Development

Public Safety

Transportation & Infrastructure

Energy & the Environment

Billy Scruggs

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

Matthew Tomas

Buket Urgen

Deb is the vice chairwoman of the Cleveland County Board of Health. She is also involved with the Cleveland County Animal Rescue Effort (CARE) and is working to open a shelter for the organization.

Cleveland County

Meet the candidates

Photos reveal needles on floor inside local animal shelter - WSOC TV

Deb Hardin is the vice chairwoman of the Cleveland County Board of Health. She is also involved with the Cleveland County Animal Rescue Effort (CARE).

Deb is currently a Cleveland County Commissioner. She was elected in 2022 and is serving her first term. 

Filing deadline looms for candidates; county commissioner race ...

Beyond Mecklenburg, these candidates won their local-level ...

Cleveland County animal shelter under fire for operating without a ...

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

For Candidate Deb Hardin on Issue public-safety:  
Plans to address concerns regarding cleanliness and safety within local animal shelters.

Plans to address concerns regarding cleanliness and safety within local animal shelters.

- Plans to address concerns regarding cleanliness and safety within local animal shelters.

Facebook

LinkedIn

Deb Hardin

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

Denise Martin Wright grew up in Cleveland County on her family's farm. She earned a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Denise lives in Cleveland County with her husband, Jeff, where they have two children.

Denise was an information technology executive for an international property and casualty insurance company. She is also a small business owner.

Denise Martin Wright ran for Cleveland County commissioner in 2024 but did not win.

Primary results for Cleveland County.

Denise ran for Cleveland County commissioner in 2024 but did not win.

As of January 2, 2026, Denise Martin Wright’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Denise Martin Wright

Denise Martin Wright grew up in Cleveland County on her family's farm, Martin Charolais. Denise earned a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte following graduation from Burns High School. Denise lives in Cleveland County with her husband, Jeff, and they have two children.

Denise had a 21-year career in the private sector as an Information Technology (IT) executive for an international property and casualty insurance company. Denise is also a small business owner in Cleveland County and serves as a board member for the Gardner-Webb University Godbold College of Business.

Denise Martin Wright ran for Cleveland County commissioner in 2024 but did not win. Denise previously served on the Cleveland County Planning and Zoning Board, the Board of Adjustments, and the Department of Social Services Board.

Doug Bridges is from Shelby, North Carolina. He has a high school diploma from Shelby High School. He and his wife, Lynn, have a son.

Doug Bridges | BallotReady

Kings Mountain Herald

Willie Green files write-in petition

Doug Bridges is from Shelby, North Carolina. He has a high school diploma from Shelby High School. He and his wife have a son.

Bridges has experience in customer service.

Doug is currently a Cleveland County Commissioner. He was appointed to the position in 2017 and was subsequently elected in 2018. He was re-elected in 2022.

Advocates for fostering a pro-business environment to attract industrial investment and create local jobs.

- As a county commissioner, cut taxes.
- Advocates for fostering a pro-business environment to attract industrial investment and create local jobs.

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

Prioritizes funding and resources for law enforcement and first responders.

- Prioritizes funding and resources for law enforcement and first responders.

Doug Bridges

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

Josh Biddix is a veteran of the Marine Corps. He and his wife, Scotti, have a hemp store and farm together.

Family to bring hemp store, farm to Cleveland County

Military vets push for medical marijuana

Josh Biddix is from Morganton. He attended Robert L. Patton High School. Josh lives with his wife, Scotti, in Morganton.

Josh previously served as a law enforcement officer. He also served in the U.S. Marine Corps.

Veterans frustrated over medical marijuana stalling

North Carolina Senate Committee Holds Hearing on Medical Marijuana

Josh is the co-owner of Broad River Hemp Company. He previously served as a law enforcement officer for the Gastonia Police Department and Asheville Police Department. He also served in the U.S. Marine Corps for two years.

Josh Biddix is currently a Cleveland County Commissioner.

Josh's campaign for Cleveland County commissioner is his first run for public office.

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

Supports medical marijuana, advocating for its benefits as a military veteran.

Supports medical marijuana legalization, advocating for its benefits for military veterans dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder.

- Supports medical marijuana legalization, advocating for its benefits for military veterans dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder.

Josh Biddix

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

Stephen Harrington Instagram

Laura is a Teacher at Cleveland County Schools

As of January 2, 2026, Laura Boggs Tharrington did not have a website or any information online.

Laura Boggs Tharrington

As of January 2, 2026, Laura Boggs Tharrington’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Wayne King is from Kings Mountain, North Carolina. He has a son, Noah.

Wayne King touts experience with Meadows in run for Congress

Wayne King iVoterGuide Profile - iVoterGuide

Wayne King is from Kings Mountain, North Carolina. He has a fiancee, a child, and is involved with his church.

Wayne is the co-founder of Compliance Professionals. He previously served as Deputy Chief of Staff and District Director for Congressman Mark Meadows.

Wayne previously served as Deputy Chief of Staff and District Director for U.S. Representative Mark Meadows.

Believes strong communities start with strong families, strong faith, and responsible stewardship, not higher taxes.

For Candidate Wayne King on Issue economy:  
Opposes new taxes and is concerned that property tax increases could hinder economic development, suggesting that big businesses should help relieve the tax burden on local residents.

Concerned that property tax increases could hinder economic development, suggesting that big businesses should help relieve the tax burden on local residents.

For Candidate Wayne King on Issue economy: Advocates for cutting the budget and curbing spending, similar to how families manage their own budgets.

Advocates for cutting the budget and curbing spending.

- Believes strong communities start with strong families, strong faith, and responsible stewardship, not higher taxes.
- Concerned that property tax increases could hinder economic development, suggesting that big businesses should help relieve the tax burden on local residents.
- Advocates for cutting the budget and curbing spending.

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

Opposes any additional restrictions on gun ownership and strongly supports Second Amendment rights.

Opposes any additional restrictions on gun ownership.

- Opposes any additional restrictions on gun ownership.

Wayne King

Supports fiscal responsibility and believes in balancing a budget based on real-world experience.

Opposes new taxes and acknowledges the financial burden on families due to inflation.

- 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.

Cleveland County Commissioner, Republican Primary

Election results

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Economy

Public Services

Housing & Urban Development

Public Safety

Transportation & Infrastructure

Energy & the Environment

Cleveland County Commissioner, Republican Primary

Election results

Candidates (7).css-1e5j0e1{margin:0;font-size:16px;line-height:1.4;font-family:"HouschkaRoundedAlt";font-weight:400;color:#22034F;} Choose 2

Compare candidates

Economy

Public Services

Housing & Urban Development

Public Safety

Transportation & Infrastructure

Energy & the Environment

Candidates (7)
Choose 2