Onslow County Sample Ballot & Voter Guide 2026
26 candidates are on the November 3, 2026 ballot across 14 Onslow County races, led by the District Attorney, Prosecutorial District 5 (Duplin, Jones, Onslow, Sampson) contest.
County offices
District Attorney, Prosecutorial District 5 (Duplin, Jones, Onslow, Sampson)Ernie Lee (R)
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Ernie Lee Republican
Ernie Lee is the sitting District Attorney for Prosecutorial District 5, covering Duplin, Jones, Onslow and Sampson counties, per the North Carolina Judicial Branch's judicial directory. No campaign website was found as of September 27, 2026.
Ernie Lee (Republican) filed for reelection and no other candidate filed, so he is unopposed on the November 3, 2026 general election ballot, per the NC State Board of Elections' certified candidate list and the county-by-county filing data in Candidate_Listing_2026.csv, which lists this contest under all four counties of Prosecutorial District 5 including Onslow.
Full race pageBoard of CommissionersTim Foster (R) · Whitney Cantrell (R) · Royce Bennett (R) · Rebecca Cooper (D) · Michel Leandre, Jr. (D)
Tim Foster (Republican), Whitney Cantrell (Republican), Royce Bennett (Republican), Rebecca Cooper (Democratic) and Michel Leandre, Jr. (Democratic) are on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Onslow County Board of Commissioners.
Tim Foster Republican Incumbent
Tim Foster serves as chairman of the Onslow County Board of Commissioners, per Onslow County government. No campaign website was found as of September 8, 2026; the official election filing is the only verifiable source for Tim Foster.
Whitney Cantrell Republican
Whitney Cantrell works as an operations manager for Excel Body Works and previously served as an office manager for D&N Auto Body & Painting, per her Branch.vote candidate profile. This is her first run for public office. No campaign website was found as of September 8, 2026; the official election filing is the only verifiable source for Whitney Cantrell.
Royce Bennett Republican Incumbent
Royce Bennett is a sitting Onslow County commissioner, per the Board of Commissioners' roster. No campaign website was found as of September 27, 2026.
Rebecca Cooper Democratic
- Wants ordinances that hold developers accountable for the long-term impacts of growth
- Wants to incentivize healthcare professionals to build careers in Onslow County so residents have to travel less for care, drawing on her experience as a parent of a child with Type 1 diabetes
- Wants local wages to better match the actual cost of living for military and civilian families in the county
Per the campaign site.
About Rebecca Cooper
Rebecca Cooper describes herself as a homeschooling mom of five and the wife of a Marine veteran who is now a police officer, and says she has lived in Onslow County for 25 years, per her campaign site. She holds a BSBA and is pursuing an MBA from East Carolina University.
Michel Leandre, Jr. Democratic
Michel Leandre, Jr. appears on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Onslow County Board of Commissioners, 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 Michel Leandre, Jr.
Three at-large seats are up in 2026. Six Republicans ran in the March 3, 2026 primary; Tim Foster, Whitney Cantrell and Royce Bennett won the three Republican nominations, per Candidate_Listing_2026.csv. They face Democrats Rebecca Cooper and Michel Leandre Jr., who were unopposed for their party's nomination, in the November 3, 2026 general election for the three seats.
Full race pageClerk of Superior CourtCindy P. Casteen (R)
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Cindy P. Casteen Republican Incumbent
Cindy P. Casteen is the sitting Onslow County Clerk of Superior Court, per Onslow County government. No campaign website was found as of September 8, 2026; the official election filing is the only verifiable source for Cindy P. Casteen.
Cindy P. Casteen (Republican) filed and no other candidate filed, so she is unopposed on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per Candidate_Listing_2026.csv.
Full race pageSheriffChris Thomas (R)
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Chris Thomas Republican Incumbent
- expanding patrol coverage and community policing programs
- deputy training and resources
- securing grants for public safety
Per the campaign site.
About Chris Thomas
Chris Thomas is the sitting Sheriff of Onslow County seeking re-election, per the campaign site. Thomas says the tenure has included expanding patrol coverage, launching community policing programs and securing grant funding for public safety, per the campaign site.
Chris Thomas (Republican) filed and no other candidate filed, so he is unopposed on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per Candidate_Listing_2026.csv.
Full race pageSchool board
Board of EducationDoug Davis (R) · Angie Todd (R) · Bill Lanier (R)
Doug Davis Republican
Doug Davis appears on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Onslow County Board of Education, 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 Doug Davis.
Angie Todd Republican Incumbent
Angie Todd is a current member of the Onslow County Board of Education seeking reelection, per her campaign site, and serves as chair of the North Carolina School Boards Coalition.
Bill Lanier Republican Incumbent
Bill Lanier is a current member of the Onslow County Board of Education seeking reelection, per Onslow County Schools. No campaign website was found as of September 8, 2026; the official election filing is the only verifiable source for Bill Lanier.
Three at-large seats are up in 2026. Six Republicans ran in the March 3, 2026 primary; Doug Davis, Angie Todd and Bill Lanier won the three nominations, per Candidate_Listing_2026.csv. No Democrat or other candidate filed, so all three are unopposed on the November 3, 2026 general election ballot.
Full race pageJudges
North Carolina Superior Court Judge, District 5, Seat 1Robert H. Gilmore (R)
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Robert H. Gilmore Republican
Robert H. Gilmore currently serves as a District Court judge for Judicial District 5, which covers Duplin, Jones, Onslow and Sampson counties, per the Sampson Independent. He is running for the open Superior Court seat after Judge Henry Stevens IV chose not to seek reelection. No campaign website was found as of September 27, 2026; the official election filing is the only verifiable source for Robert H. Gilmore.
Robert H. Gilmore (Republican) is unopposed on the November 3, 2026 ballot for North Carolina Superior Court Judge, District 5, Seat 1. Voters across Duplin, Jones, Onslow and Sampson counties vote on this seat, per North Carolina General Statutes Chapter 7A. State law limits who may run for this seat to a resident of Duplin, Jones or Sampson County, but every voter in the district still elects it. 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 5, Seat 1Mario White (D)
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Mario White Democratic Incumbent
Mario White serves as Chief District Court Judge for North Carolina's Judicial District 5, covering Duplin, Jones, Onslow and Sampson counties, and was appointed to the District Court in 2020, per North Carolina Judicial Branch. No campaign website was found as of September 27, 2026; the official election filing is the only verifiable source for Mario White.
Mario White (Democratic) is unopposed on the November 3, 2026 ballot for North Carolina District Court Judge, District 5, Seat 1. Voters across Duplin, Jones, Onslow and Sampson counties 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 5, Seat 2Morgan H. Swinson (R)
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Morgan H. Swinson Republican Incumbent
Morgan H. Swinson serves as a District Court judge for the judicial district covering Duplin, Jones, Onslow and Sampson counties, per WCTI News 12. No campaign website was found as of September 27, 2026; the official election filing is the only verifiable source for Morgan H. Swinson.
Morgan H. Swinson (Republican) is unopposed on the November 3, 2026 ballot for North Carolina District Court Judge, District 5, Seat 2. Voters across Duplin, Jones, Onslow and Sampson counties 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 5, Seat 8Johnathon S. Naylor (R)
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Johnathon S. Naylor Republican Incumbent
Johnathon S. Naylor was appointed by Gov. Josh Stein in February 2026 to the District Court for Judicial District 5, filling the vacancy left by the retirement of Judge William B. 'Billy' Sutton Jr, per NC Governor's Office. Naylor worked as an attorney at Castle, Peterson & Naylor, P.C. since 2017 and serves as treasurer of the Onslow County Bar Association. He earned his Bachelor of Science from Campbell University and his Juris Doctor from Campbell University School of Law, per NC Governor's Office. No campaign website was found as of September 27, 2026; the official election filing is the only verifiable source for Johnathon S. Naylor.
Johnathon S. Naylor (Republican) is unopposed on the November 3, 2026 ballot for North Carolina District Court Judge, District 5, Seat 8. Voters across Duplin, Jones, Onslow and Sampson counties vote on this seat, per North Carolina General Statutes Chapter 7A. This seat covers the remainder of an unexpired term. 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 pageDistricts and boards
Soil and Water Conservation District SupervisorNonpartisan race · Emily Walton · Jacob (JD) Shepard · Robert Johnson · Carroll Harrod
Emily Walton Nonpartisan Incumbent
Emily Walton is a current District Supervisor on the Onslow County Soil and Water Conservation Board of Supervisors, per Onslow County government. No campaign website was found as of September 8, 2026; the official election filing is the only verifiable source for Emily Walton.
Jacob (JD) Shepard Nonpartisan
No campaign website was found as of September 27, 2026.
Robert Johnson Nonpartisan Incumbent
Robert Johnson is a current District Supervisor on the Onslow County Soil and Water Conservation Board of Supervisors, per Onslow County government. No campaign website was found as of September 8, 2026; the official election filing is the only verifiable source for Robert Johnson.
Carroll Harrod Nonpartisan
No campaign website was found as of September 27, 2026.
Two of the district's elected seats are up in 2026 (nonpartisan). Four candidates filed: current supervisors Emily Walton and Robert Johnson, and challengers Jacob (JD) Shepard and Carroll Harrod, per Candidate_Listing_2026.csv and the county's official Soil & Water Conservation Board of Supervisors page. 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.
Onslow County is split across 3 North Carolina House districts.
Find your districts by addressNorth Carolina House: 3 districtsDistricts 14, 15, 16
North Carolina House District 14Wyatt Gable (R)
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Wyatt Gable Republican Incumbent
Wyatt Gable represents Onslow County in the North Carolina House, per his official legislative biography. No occupation or working campaign site was found through official or verified sources. No campaign website was found as of September 7, 2026.
Wyatt Gable (Republican) is the only candidate on the November 3 ballot; Wyatt Gable 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 15Phillip Shepard (R) · Christopher Schulte (D)
Phillip Shepard Republican Incumbent
Phillip Shepard is retired from civil service and serves as a minister, per his official legislative biography. He represents Onslow County and is serving his 8th term in the North Carolina House. No campaign website was found as of September 7, 2026.
Christopher Schulte Democratic
Christopher Schulte is a psychology instructor who taught at Coastal Carolina Community College from 2008 to February 2026, per his Vote Smart candidate biography. He holds a master's degree in psychology from the University of North Texas and a bachelor's degree in psychology from Wright State University, per the same source. No campaign website was found as of September 7, 2026.
Phillip Shepard (Republican), Christopher Schulte (Democratic) meet on the November 3 ballot; Phillip Shepard 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 16Carson Smith (R) · Jim Harris (D)
Carson Smith Republican Incumbent
Carson Smith is a retired Pender County sheriff, per his official legislative biography. He represents Onslow and Pender counties and is serving his 4th term in the North Carolina House. No campaign website was found as of September 7, 2026.
Jim Harris Democratic
- Affordability
- Healthcare access and quality
- Strengthening public education
Per the campaign site.
About Jim Harris
Harris holds a finance degree from Michigan State University and an MBA from Wayne State University, and worked at IBM and Intel before relocating to Hampstead in 2017, per the campaign site. He serves as chairman of the Democratic Party of Pender County, per the campaign site.
Carson Smith (Republican), Jim Harris (Democratic) meet on the November 3 ballot; Carson Smith 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 6Andi Morrow (D) · Michael Anthony Lazzara (R)
Andi Morrow Democratic
Andi Morrow is the Democratic candidate for North Carolina Senate District 6 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.
Michael Anthony Lazzara Republican Incumbent
Michael Anthony Lazzara represents Onslow County in the North Carolina Senate, per his official legislative biography. No occupation or campaign site was found through official or verified sources. No campaign website was found as of September 7, 2026.
Andi Morrow (Democratic), Michael Anthony Lazzara (Republican) meet on the November 3 ballot; Michael Anthony Lazzara 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 pageSee your full ballot
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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 Onslow County, North Carolina on November 3, 2026?
Onslow County sample ballot 2026: see where the board of commissioners and board of education candidates stand on housing and health care. 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 Onslow 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 Onslow County13 ZIP codes
Candidate roster last updated Oct 1, 2026 from official election sources.