Gaston County Sample Ballot & Voter Guide 2026
34 candidates are on the November 3, 2026 ballot across 20 Gaston County races, led by the Gaston County Board of Commissioners Dallas Township contest.
County offices
Clerk of Superior CourtThomas Brown (R)
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Thomas Brown Republican
- Upholding high standards of public service and improving access to justice
- Modernizing office operations using the state's eCourts program
Per the campaign site.
About Thomas Brown
Thomas Brown is a Magistrate Judge with more than 13 years of experience in the North Carolina court system, per his campaign site. Born and raised in Gastonia, he is unopposed for Clerk of Superior Court, a position his father, Larry Brown, held from 2006 to 2020.
Thomas Brown (Republican) is unopposed on the November 3, 2026 ballot for an open seat.
Full race pageSheriffChad E. Hawkins (R)
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Chad E. Hawkins Republican
Chad E. Hawkins is the incumbent Gaston County Sheriff, first elected in 2022, per the Sheriff's Office's official site. He has more than 34 years of experience in fire and law enforcement, including as Police Chief in Cherryville and Belmont, and holds degrees from Gaston College, Gardner-Webb University and Methodist University.
Chad E. Hawkins (Republican), the incumbent sheriff first elected in 2022, is unopposed on the November 3, 2026 ballot.
Full race pageDistrict Attorney District 38Travis Page (R)
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Travis Page Republican
Travis Page serves as District Attorney for Prosecutorial District 38, per the North Carolina Judicial Branch's judicial directory. No campaign website was found as of September 27, 2026.
District 38 covers all of Gaston County. Travis Page (Republican) is the incumbent district attorney, unopposed on the November 3, 2026 ballot.
Full race pageSchool board
Board of Education At-LargeBrenda Eskridge (D) · Dot Cherry (R)
Brenda Eskridge Democratic
- Teacher retention through competitive pay
- Equitable resource allocation across schools and expanded mental health services
Per the Future Education Magazine.
About Brenda Eskridge
Brenda Eskridge appears on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Gaston County Board of Education At-Large, per the county elections office's certified candidate list. No campaign website was found as of September 8, 2026; the official election filing is the only verifiable source for Brenda Eskridge.
Dot Cherry Republican Incumbent
Dot Cherry is the incumbent At-Large Board of Education member and current Vice Chairman, per the district's official board page. No campaign website was found as of September 8, 2026; the official roster and election filing is the only verifiable source for Dot Cherry.
Board of Education races became partisan starting with this cycle, following a 2025 state law change. Dot Cherry (Republican) is the incumbent Vice Chairman seeking re-election, per the district's official board page. This contest is on the November 3, 2026 ballot.
Full race pageBoard of Education Dallas TownshipJosh Crisp (R) · Debra Gunnings-Johnson (D)
Josh Crisp Republican Incumbent
Josh Crisp serves as Chairman of the Gaston County Board of Education, representing Dallas Township, per the Gaston County Schools website. No campaign website was found as of September 27, 2026.
Debra Gunnings-Johnson Democratic
Debra Gunnings-Johnson appears on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Gaston County Board of Education Dallas Township, per the county elections office's certified candidate list. No campaign website was found as of September 8, 2026; the official election filing is the only verifiable source for Debra Gunnings-Johnson.
Josh Crisp (Republican), the incumbent board Chairman, is seeking re-election, per the district's official board page. This contest is on the November 3, 2026 ballot.
Full race pageBoard of Education Gastonia TownshipChe'z (Shea) Adams (D) · Tim Taylor (R)
Che'z (Shea) Adams (Democratic) and Tim Taylor (Republican) are on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Gaston County Board of Education Gastonia Township.
Che'z (Shea) Adams Democratic
- Teacher compensation and facility improvements
- Expanded teaching resources
Per the Future Education Magazine.
About Che'z (Shea) Adams
Che'z (Shea) Adams is a former social worker and current educator, per Future Education Magazine. No campaign website was found for the race. No campaign website was found as of September 8, 2026; the official election filing is the only verifiable source for Che'z (Shea) Adams.
Tim Taylor Republican
- Teacher retention and student safety
- Expanding STEAM program offerings
Per the Future Education Magazine.
About Tim Taylor
Tim Taylor is a telecommunications manager and a parent in the district, per Future Education Magazine. No campaign website was found for the race. No campaign website was found as of September 8, 2026; the official election filing is the only verifiable source for Tim Taylor.
This is an open seat: incumbent Lee Dedmon did not advance past the March 3, 2026 Democratic primary, which Che'z (Shea) Adams won; the district's other Gastonia Township seat (held by Janna Smith) is not up in 2026.
Full race pageBoard of Education Riverbend TownshipBarbara Walls (D) · A.M. Stephens III (R)
Barbara Walls Democratic
Barbara Walls appears on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Gaston County Board of Education Riverbend Township, per the county elections office's certified candidate list. No campaign website was found as of September 8, 2026; the official election filing is the only verifiable source for Barbara Walls.
A.M. Stephens III Republican Incumbent
A.M. Stephens III is the incumbent Riverbend Township Board of Education member, per the district's official board page. He describes himself on his campaign site as a product of Gaston County public schools.
A.M. Stephens III (Republican) is the incumbent seeking re-election, per the district's official board page. This contest is on the November 3, 2026 ballot.
Full race pageBoard of Education South Point TownshipDavid Gain-Tang Chee (D) · Tod Kinlaw (R)
David Gain-Tang Chee Democratic
David Gain-Tang Chee appears on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Gaston County Board of Education South Point Township, per the county elections office's certified candidate list. No campaign website was found as of September 8, 2026; the official election filing is the only verifiable source for David Gain-Tang Chee.
Tod Kinlaw Republican Incumbent
- Ensuring a safe and secure learning environment for students and teachers
- Timely, competitive teacher compensation
- Curriculum transparency for parents
Per the local press.
About Tod Kinlaw
Tod Kinlaw serves on the Gaston County Board of Education, representing South Point Township, per the Gaston County Schools website. No campaign website was found as of September 27, 2026.
Tod Kinlaw (Republican) is the incumbent seeking re-election, per the district's official board page. This contest is on the November 3, 2026 ballot.
Full race pageJudges
North Carolina Superior Court Judge, District 38, Seat 1David A. Phillips (R)
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
David A. Phillips Republican Incumbent
David A. Phillips is a sitting Gaston County Superior Court judge, listed in the county's 2025 Public Officials Directory with a term ending November 2026. Governor Roy Cooper appointed him to the District 38 bench in April 2018 after 28 years in private practice as a criminal defense attorney in Gastonia, and he served 12 years on the Gaston County Board of Education, per NC Newsline. No campaign website was found as of September 27, 2026; the official election filing is the only verifiable source for David A. Phillips.
David A. Phillips (Republican) is unopposed on the November 3, 2026 ballot for North Carolina Superior Court Judge, District 38, Seat 1. Voters across Gaston County vote on this seat, per North Carolina General Statutes Chapter 7A. North Carolina judicial races have been partisan since the 2018 court reorganization. The field is the State Board of Elections' certified general-election candidate list (read September 7, 2026).
Full race pageNorth Carolina District Court Judge, District 38, Seat 1Cameron (Chip) Harrison (R)
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Cameron (Chip) Harrison Republican
Cameron "Chip" Harrison is a sitting Gaston County District Court judge (Seat 1), listed in the county's 2025 Public Officials Directory with a term ending November 2026. Governor Josh Stein appointed him to the District 38 bench in March 2025 to fill the seat vacated when Judge Craig Collins was elected to Superior Court; he had been an assistant public defender in the Gaston County Public Defender's Office and earlier practiced law privately and taught business law at Alamance Community College, per the Governor's Office announcement. No campaign website was found as of September 27, 2026; the official election filing is the only verifiable source for Cameron (Chip) Harrison.
Cameron (Chip) Harrison (Republican) is unopposed on the November 3, 2026 ballot for North Carolina District Court Judge, District 38, Seat 1. Voters across Gaston County vote on this seat, per North Carolina General Statutes Chapter 7A. North Carolina judicial races have been partisan since the 2018 court reorganization. The field is the State Board of Elections' certified general-election candidate list (read September 7, 2026).
Full race pageNorth Carolina District Court Judge, District 38, Seat 2William (Gus) Anthony (R)
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
William (Gus) Anthony Republican Incumbent
William (Gus) Anthony is a native of Gaston County who has practiced law since 1996, per the Gaston County Republican Party. He began his legal career as a public defender before entering private practice, after serving in the U.S. Navy, per the same source. No campaign website was found as of September 27, 2026.
William (Gus) Anthony (Republican) is unopposed on the November 3, 2026 ballot for North Carolina District Court Judge, District 38, Seat 2. Voters across Gaston County vote on this seat, per North Carolina General Statutes Chapter 7A. North Carolina judicial races have been partisan since the 2018 court reorganization. The field is the State Board of Elections' certified general-election candidate list (read September 7, 2026).
Full race pageCities and towns
Board of Commissioners Dallas TownshipCathy Cloninger (R) · Matt Buchanan (D)
Cathy Cloninger Republican
- Fiscal responsibility, including prudent budget management and keeping tax rates low
- Public safety and transparent county operations
Per the campaign site.
About Cathy Cloninger
Cathy Cloninger is the incumbent Dallas Township Commissioner, first elected in 2022. She spent 34 years in Gaston County domestic violence services before retiring as a county employee in 2017, per local press, and holds a Social Work degree from Mars Hill College.
Matt Buchanan Democratic
- a healthcare informed, community focused approach to county governance
Per the campaign site.
About Matt Buchanan
Matt Buchanan is a nursing student pursuing an Associate Degree in Nursing while working in critical care, per the campaign site. Buchanan has previously worked in food service, retail, manufacturing and the automotive industry, per the campaign site.
Cathy Cloninger (Republican), first elected in 2022, is the incumbent seeking a second term, per the county's official Board of Commissioners page. Matt Buchanan (Democratic) is a challenger. This contest is on the November 3, 2026 ballot.
Full race pageBoard of Commissioners Gastonia TownshipJessica Maria Moreno (D) · Tom Keigher (R)
Jessica Maria Moreno Democratic
- Expanding access to safe and stable housing
- Supporting workforce and economic opportunity for working families
- A more responsive and accessible county government
Per the campaign site.
About Jessica Maria Moreno
Moreno is a housing advocate who has worked to help residents understand their rights and access information, and has lived in Gaston County since 2017 after her family was displaced from a Mecklenburg County mobile home park during redevelopment, per the campaign site.
Tom Keigher Republican
Tom Keigher is the incumbent Gastonia Township Commissioner seeking re-election, per the county's official commissioners page. No campaign website was found as of September 8, 2026; the official roster and election filing is the only verifiable source for Tom Keigher.
Tom Keigher (Republican) is the incumbent seeking re-election, per the county's official Board of Commissioners page. Jessica Maria Moreno (Democratic) is a challenger; Gastonia Township's other commission seat (held by Scott Shehan) is not up in 2026. This contest is on the November 3, 2026 ballot.
Full race pageBoard of Commissioners Riverbend TownshipChad Brown (R)
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Chad Brown Republican
Chad Brown is the incumbent Riverbend Township Commissioner and current Chairman of the Gaston County Board of Commissioners, per the county's official commissioners page. He is unopposed on the November 2026 ballot. No campaign website was found as of September 8, 2026; the official roster and election filing is the only verifiable source for Chad Brown.
Chad Brown (Republican), the incumbent and current Board Chairman, is unopposed on the November 3, 2026 ballot.
Full race pageDistricts and boards
Soil and Water Conservation District SupervisorNonpartisan race · Dan Brandon · Colby Watts · Bill Ward
Dan Brandon Nonpartisan
Dan Brandon is the sitting Vice Chair of the Gaston County Soil & Water Conservation District Board, per the county's staff directory. He is a retired forester who also worked as a firefighter and studied forestry at N.C. State University, per The Election Hub. No campaign website was found as of September 27, 2026.
Colby Watts Nonpartisan
Colby Watts works as a parks and recreation sports turf manager for the City of Gastonia and previously interned in groundskeeping for the Carolina Panthers, per The Election Hub. He holds associate's degrees from N.C. State University and Gaston College. No campaign website was found as of September 27, 2026.
Bill Ward Nonpartisan Incumbent
Bill Ward chairs the Gaston Soil and Water Conservation District Board, with a term that runs through December 2026, per the county's staff directory. He lives in Stanley and has owned a STEM-education business since 1999 and a photography business since 2005, per the statement he gave the Gaston Gazette in 2022. No campaign website was found as of September 29, 2026.
Nonpartisan race; three candidates for two seats, confirmed on the county's official sample ballot. Bill Ward chairs the board now, per the county's staff directory. This contest is on the November 3, 2026 ballot.
Full race pageBy address
These seats are elected by district; only the district covering your address is on your ballot.
Gaston County is split across 5 North Carolina Senate and House districts.
Find your districts by addressNorth Carolina Senate: 2 districtsDistricts 43, 44
North Carolina Senate District 43Steve Rutherford (D) · Brad Overcash (R)
Steve Rutherford Democratic
Steve Rutherford is a 20-year U.S. Navy veteran and a graduate of South Point High School who earned a bachelor's degree from Southern Illinois University, per the Political Candidate Directory. He declared his candidacy for the Senate District 43 seat, which covers part of Gaston County, on December 1, 2025, per his campaign site. His site does not list detailed policy positions.
Brad Overcash Republican Incumbent
Brad Overcash represents North Carolina Senate District 43, covering Gaston County, per the NC General Assembly. He is serving his second term in the state Senate.
Steve Rutherford (Democratic), Brad Overcash (Republican) meet on the November 3 ballot; Brad Overcash is the sitting member, per the General Assembly's roster. Party nominees were chosen at the March 3 primary (a second primary is held only when no one reaches 30 percent plus one); unaffiliated candidates qualified by petition. The field is the State Board of Elections' certified general-election candidate list (read September 7, 2026). This seat is elected by district; only the district covering your address appears on your ballot.
Full race pageNorth Carolina Senate District 44Ted Alexander (R) · Rod Powell (D)
Ted Alexander Republican Incumbent
Ted Alexander graduated from UNC-Charlotte with a degree in Political Science and earned a master's degree in Historic Preservation from Cornell University, per the campaign site. He was elected Mayor of Shelby in 2003 and re-elected without opposition in 2007, and previously served as the Virginia State Main Street Director, per the campaign site.
Rod Powell Democratic
- Strengthen public schools and teacher support
- Expand rural healthcare access, including telehealth and mental health services
- Invest in roads, water systems and broadband
Per the campaign site.
About Rod Powell
Rod Powell is a retired school teacher with 30 years of classroom experience in North Carolina, per his campaign site. His district covers Cleveland, Lincoln and part of Gaston counties, per the same source.
Ted Alexander (Republican), Rod Powell (Democratic) meet on the November 3 ballot; Ted Alexander is the sitting member, per the General Assembly's roster. Party nominees were chosen at the March 3 primary (a second primary is held only when no one reaches 30 percent plus one); unaffiliated candidates qualified by petition. The field is the State Board of Elections' certified general-election candidate list (read September 7, 2026). This seat is elected by district; only the district covering your address appears on your ballot.
Full race pageNorth Carolina House: 3 districtsDistricts 108, 109, 110
North Carolina House District 108John A. Torbett (R) · Sydnie Hutchinson (D)
John A. Torbett Republican Incumbent
John A. Torbett is the sitting North Carolina Representative for District 108 and a resident of Stanley, per the North Carolina General Assembly's member roster and his campaign site. He began his career building homes before more than two decades in the corrugated converting industry across the southeastern United States, per his campaign site.
Sydnie Hutchinson Democratic
Sydnie Hutchinson is the Democratic candidate for North Carolina House District 108 on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the State Board of Elections' certified general-election candidate list. No campaign website was found as of September 7, 2026.
John A. Torbett (Republican), Sydnie Hutchinson (Democratic) meet on the November 3 ballot; John A. Torbett is the sitting member, per the General Assembly's roster. Party nominees were chosen at the March 3 primary (a second primary is held only when no one reaches 30 percent plus one); unaffiliated candidates qualified by petition. The field is the State Board of Elections' certified general-election candidate list (read September 7, 2026). This seat is elected by district; only the district covering your address appears on your ballot.
Full race pageNorth Carolina House District 109Mark D. Carver (D) · Donnie Loftis (R)
Mark D. Carver Democratic
- Ensure access to quality public education
- Address the rising cost of living and housing costs
- Support first responders
Per the campaign site.
About Mark D. Carver
Carver spent 25 years at Kelly-Springfield Tire Company, including as a union shop steward and division chairman, before retiring in 2001, and has taught history at Gaston College for 20 years, per the campaign site.
Donnie Loftis Republican Incumbent
Donnie Loftis is retired after serving 30 years in the U.S. Army, from 1980 to 2010, per the NC General Assembly. He represents House District 109, covering Gaston County, and has served the equivalent of 2.5 terms in the state House. No campaign website was found as of September 7, 2026.
Mark D. Carver (Democratic), Donnie Loftis (Republican) meet on the November 3 ballot; Donnie Loftis is the sitting member, per the General Assembly's roster. Party nominees were chosen at the March 3 primary (a second primary is held only when no one reaches 30 percent plus one); unaffiliated candidates qualified by petition. The field is the State Board of Elections' certified general-election candidate list (read September 7, 2026). This seat is elected by district; only the district covering your address appears on your ballot.
Full race pageNorth Carolina House District 110Caroline Eason (R) · Mary Silver (D)
Caroline Eason Republican
- Job creation and tax cuts
- Lowering healthcare costs
- Strengthening public education
Per the campaign site.
About Caroline Eason
Caroline Eason is a pharmacist and small business owner who operates her family's independent pharmacies in Cherryville, Vale, and Maiden, per her campaign site.
Mary Silver Democratic
Mary Silver is the Democratic candidate for North Carolina House District 110 on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the State Board of Elections' certified general-election candidate list. No campaign website was found as of September 7, 2026.
Caroline Eason (Republican), Mary Silver (Democratic) meet on the November 3 ballot. The seat is open: Rep. Kelly E. Hastings (Republican), the sitting member per the General Assembly's roster, is not on the November ballot. Party nominees were chosen at the March 3 primary (a second primary is held only when no one reaches 30 percent plus one); unaffiliated candidates qualified by petition. The field is the State Board of Elections' certified general-election candidate list (read September 7, 2026). This seat is elected by district; only the district covering your address appears on your ballot.
Full race pageSee your full ballot
Voting info and more
Voting info and more
Verify your ballot with the official election office.
Cross-check every race and candidate with the official election office. Official sources are the final word.
North Carolina nominees were set by the March 3 primary; a candidate clearing 30 percent plus one avoids a second primary, and unopposed nominees still print on the November 3 ballot, per the State Board of Elections.
Who is on the ballot in Gaston County, North Carolina on November 3, 2026?
Gaston County sample ballot 2026: see where the board of commissioners dallas township candidates stand on schools, health care and housing and affordability. Every candidate profile on this page names the official filing or campaign source it came from.
When is the 2026 general election in North Carolina?
Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Registration deadlines, early voting dates and mail ballot rules for North Carolina are listed on the North Carolina election hub. North Carolina election hub →
How do I see my exact Gaston County ballot?
Enter your ZIP code in the lookup for the statewide and congressional races on every ballot in the county, or a full street address to add the county, city and district contests for that location. Look up your ballot →
Sample ballot by ZIP code in Gaston County14 ZIP codes
Candidate roster last updated Sep 29, 2026 from official election sources.