The Ballot Brief
Forsyth County, North Carolina

Forsyth Commission District A

3 candidates are tracked for Forsyth Commission District A on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Tonya McDaniel, Mali (Shai) Woodbury and Contessa Smith. Candidate information follows official Forsyth County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

About this race

Voters choose two District A commissioners. Incumbents McDaniel and Woodbury advanced from the four-way March 3 Democratic contest; Contessa Smith is the only Republican in the two-seat race, per the State Board of Elections certified list and results archive.

North Carolina › Forsyth County › Forsyth Commission District A

Tonya McDaniel

Democratic Incumbent

Top priorities
  • Pursuing equity in property tax rates and school funding for District A
  • Overseeing the county budget to support resident safety and well being

Per the campaign site.

Biography

McDaniel has served as County Commissioner for Forsyth County District A since being appointed in December 2018, per the campaign site. McDaniel holds a bachelor's degree in political science from Winston-Salem State University and a master's in public administration from North Carolina Central University, and has served on the North Carolina State Health Coordinating Council, per the campaign site.

Campaign site (opens in a new tab)

Mali (Shai) Woodbury

Democratic Incumbent

Top priorities
  • Securing pay and resources for educators
  • Treating education as an investment in a safe and healthy community
  • Supporting teachers and students countywide

Per the campaign site.

Biography

Woodbury is an educator with more than 25 years of experience in public schools and at the collegiate level, and previously served on the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Board of Education from 2018 to 2022, including as chair, per the campaign site. Woodbury holds a doctorate in education leadership from Walden University, per the campaign site.

Campaign site (opens in a new tab)

Contessa Smith

Republican

Biography

Contessa Smith is on the State Board of Elections certified candidate list for this two-seat race's November 3, 2026 ballot. No campaign website was found as of September 8, 2026.

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Questions about this race

Who is running for Forsyth Commission District A in 2026?

3 candidates are tracked for Forsyth Commission District A on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Tonya McDaniel, Mali (Shai) Woodbury and Contessa Smith. Candidate information follows official Forsyth County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

When is the Forsyth Commission District A election in North Carolina?

Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Registration deadlines, early voting dates and mail ballot rules for North Carolina are on the North Carolina election hub at theballotbrief.com.

How do I see my exact Forsyth County ballot?

Enter your ZIP code in the lookup at theballotbrief.com for the statewide and congressional races, or a full street address to add the county, city and district contests for that location.

Verify this race

Candidate roster from official Forsyth County and state election office filings, last verified September 27, 2026. Bios and priorities carry their attribution inline.

Cross-check with the official North Carolina election office, or see the full Forsyth County sample ballot and your exact ballot by address.

The rest of your Forsyth County ballot

18 tracked races in Forsyth County, North Carolina. Landed here from another county's search? Look up your own ballot below.

Also on your ballot
North Carolina Senate District 31North Carolina Senate District 32North Carolina House District 71See all 18 Forsyth County races
Candidate profiles
Tonya McDaniel, full profileMali (Shai) Woodbury, full profileContessa Smith, full profileOfficial North Carolina election office