As 2025 begins to wind down, many are already looking ahead to the 2026 midterm elections across the country — and the filing period for races in North Carolina began on Monday.
As of 12 p.m. on Dec. 1, candidates for federal, state and local offices can file to formally begin their campaigns for the 2026 primary elections as a precursor to general elections later in November. In Orange County, a trio of county-level seats will be on the ballot as a District 1 seat, District 2 seat and at-large seat will begin new four-year terms on the Board of County Commissioners in 2027. The at-large seat will be open, as two-term commissioner Sally Greene will step away from public office when the term expires. Two other veterans of the board, Democrats Jamezetta Bedford and Earl McKee, will aim to keep their seats after announcing re-election campaigns.
Additionally, the Orange County Board of Education will have three seats up for grabs — with the March 3 primary serving as its general election, since the race is nonpartisan and falls before the new academic year begins. Will Atherton, Anne Purcell, André Richmond and Sarah Smylie will all see their four-year terms expire. After four years, the Orange County sheriff position will also be up for re-election, with Charles Blackwood finishing his third four-year term and seeking another.
At the federal and state levels of government, Orange County will see its representatives serving two-year terms also on the ballot. U.S. House Rep. Valerie Foushee, who is in her second term, N.C. Sen. Graig Meyer, N.C. Rep. Allen Buansi and N.C. Rep. Renée Price will all see their seats up for election.
Which Candidates Are On The Ballot?
Below is a list of all the candidates who have filed to run for local office or have declared their intentions to file. Candidates are separated by party affiliation (when relevant) and listed alphabetically by last name. Candidates who have verbally committed to the election cycle are listed as such.
U.S. House – District 4
- Valerie Foushee (D) – Incumbent
- Mahesh (Max) Ganorkar (R)
North Carolina Senate – District 23
North Carolina House – District 50
- Renée Price (D) – Incumbent
North Carolina House – District 56
- Allen Buansi (D) – Incumbent
Orange County Board of Commissioners – District 1 (1 seat)
- Jamezetta Bedford (D) – Incumbent
Orange County Board of Commissioners – District 2 (1 seat)
- Earl McKee (D) – Incumbent
Orange County Board of Commissioners – At-Large (1 seat)
- Adam Beeman (D) – Challenger – Verbal
- Karen Stegman (D) – Challenger
Orange County Sheriff
- Charles Blackwood (D) – Incumbent
- David LaBarre (D)
District Attorney District 18
- Jeff Nieman (D) – Incumbent
Orange County Board of Education (4 seats)
- Will Atherton – Incumbent
- Anne Purcell – Incumbent
Additional Chapelboro coverage on candidates can be found on the Local Elections page, as well as other updates in the races as the election cycle continues this spring and fall.
What Are Upcoming Dates to Know?
The filing period will remain open to potential candidates until Friday, Dec. 19 at 12 p.m. Those interested in filing can visit the North Carolina Board of Elections website for more details on filing requirements and frequently-asked questions.
Voter registration for the local primary election cycle will close at 5 p.m. on Friday, February 9. Early voting then runs from February 15 to March 2, which is another opportunity to initially register to vote. Primary Election Day itself is Tuesday, March 3, while the general election will end on Tuesday, Nov. 3.
Editor’s Note: An earlier version of this article incorrectly said there were three Orange County Board of Education seats on the 2026 ballot instead of four. It has since been updated.
Featured photo by Dakota Moyer/Chapel Hill Media Group.
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