Washington County Sample Ballot & Voter Guide 2026

Regina Rodgers Parker was appointed by Governor Josh Stein to the Superior Court for Judicial District 2, covering Beaufort, Hyde, Martin, Tyrrell and Washington counties, on May 8, 2026, filling the vacancy left by the retirement of Judge Wayland Sermons, per the Governor's office. Parker had served Judicial District 2 since 2001 and as Chief District Court Judge there since 2018. She received her Bachelor of Science from East Carolina University and her Juris Doctor from North Carolina Central University. No campaign website was found as of September 27, 2026.

Jerauld Brian Pafford is a candidate for Superior Court Judge, District 2, covering Beaufort, Hyde, Martin, Tyrrell and Washington counties, per his campaign site. He currently works as a public defender at the North Carolina Administrative Office of the Courts, previously ran a private law firm, and worked as in-house counsel for East Carolina University, per WCTI. He is from Eastern North Carolina and lives in Washington, North Carolina; this is his first run for public office.

Darrell B. Cayton, Jr. is a district court judge for the judicial district that presides over Beaufort, Hyde, Martin, Tyrrell and Washington counties, first elected to the court in 2010, per WCTI 12 News. No campaign website was found as of September 27, 2026.

Lloyd Williams grew up in Hyde County and worked as a commercial fisherman before and during law school, per his campaign site. He studied at UNC-Chapel Hill, Beaufort County Community College and East Carolina University before earning his law degree from Campbell University, and has spent 19 years as an Assistant District Attorney in the Second Prosecutorial District, where he serves as Lead Prosecutor for the Recovery Treatment Court.

D. Cole Phelps grew up in Creswell, Washington County, North Carolina, and earned his law degree from North Carolina Central University School of Law, per his campaign website. He was elected to the Washington County Board of Commissioners at age 23 and later served as Chairman, and opened a law practice in Plymouth in 2013, per the same source. In 2025 he was certified by the North Carolina State Bar as a specialist in juvenile delinquency law, per his website.

Roy Surrett is a Democrat running for North Carolina Senate District 2, covering Carteret, Chowan, Halifax, Hyde, Martin, Pamlico, Warren and Washington counties. He is a graduate of Wake Forest University who spent 38 years in federal service, including as a U.S. Customs officer and at the National Security Agency and the Department of Defense, per the Albemarle Observer. Surrett is married with three children, and this is his first run for public office, per the Albemarle Observer.

Norman Sanderson grew up on a family farm in Columbus County and later worked in law enforcement for the Pamlico County Sheriff's Office, per the campaign site. He went on to serve as a Christian school principal and later owned a childcare facility in Havelock for more than 20 years before being elected to the North Carolina Senate, per the campaign site.

Edward C. Goodwin is the Republican incumbent for North Carolina House District 1, covering Chowan, Currituck, Dare, Perquimans, Tyrrell and Washington counties, per the North Carolina General Assembly. Goodwin is retired and served in the U.S. Air Force from 1972 to 1976, per the North Carolina General Assembly. No campaign website was found as of September 20, 2026.