As 2025 begins to wind down, many are already looking ahead to the 2026 midterm elections across the country — with the filing period for races in North Carolina ending on Friday.
As of Dec. 19, candidates for federal, state and local offices can no longer 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. Bedford will run against Maria T. Palmer in the primary. McKee faces a primary challenge from fellow Democrat Beth Bronson and a general election challenge from Republican Louis D. Capitanio.
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. Atherson, Purcell, and Smylie will each seek reelection. 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. He faces a primary challenge from David LaBarre.
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. Price has two primary challengers, Democrats Mary Lucas and Brandall Redd. Buansi faces a general election challenge from Libertarian candidate Matthew P. Clements.
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.
U.S. House – District 4
- Nida Allam (D)
- Valerie Foushee (D) – Incumbent
- Mahesh (Max) Ganorkar (R)
- Guy Meilleur (L)
- Mary Patterson (D)
North Carolina Senate – District 23
- Graig R. Meyer (D) – Incumbent
- Laura Pichardo (R)
North Carolina House – District 50
- Mary Lucas (D)
- Renée Price (D) – Incumbent
- Brandall Redd (D)
North Carolina House – District 56
- Allen Buansi (D) – Incumbent
- Matthew P. Clements (L)
Orange County Board of Commissioners – District 1 (1 seat)
- Jamezetta Bedford (D) – Incumbent
- Maria T. Palmer (D)
Orange County Board of Commissioners – District 2 (1 seat)
- Beth Bronson (D)
- Earl McKee (D) – Incumbent
- Louis D. Capitanio (R)
Orange County Board of Commissioners – At-Large (1 seat)
- Adam Beeman (D)
- Karen Stegman (D)
- Jefferey Hoagland (R)
Orange County Sheriff
- Charles Blackwood (D) – Incumbent
- David LaBarre (D)
District Attorney District 18
- Jeff Nieman (D) – Incumbent
Orange County Clerk Of Superior Court
- Mark Kleinschmidt (D) – Incumbent
Orange County Register of Deeds
- Amy Jo McLamb (D)
- Penny Rich (D)
Orange County Board of Education (4 seats)
- Will Atherton – Incumbent
- Brian D. Edwards
- Anne Purcell – Incumbent
- Saru D. Salvi
- Sarah Smylie – Incumbent
- Lori Russell
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?
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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