The Ballot Brief
28012

Who is on the ballot in 28012?

Gaston County, NC

Reported by The Ballot Brief Editorial Team. Updated as public election and video sources change.

Fields below reflect the November 3, 2026 general election ballot as races are certified.

23 races on your November 3 ballot. Jump to:
U.S. Senate1U.S. House1Statewide4Local14Measures3
About this preview
County and municipal contests depend on your exact address — use the address lookup below for the full slate. Every race links to official sources on the North Carolina voter hub.
Sample Ballot Preview

28012 sample ballot preview: statewide, congressional and Gaston County races

U.S. House, North Carolina District 14
2 candidates
Federal ▾
Tim Moore portrait
TM
Tim Moore
REP INCUMBENT
Biography
Moore previously served as Speaker of the North Carolina House of Representatives for a decade, per the official House biography. He earned a political science degree from UNC Chapel Hill and a law degree from Oklahoma City University, and has practiced law in Cleveland County throughout his career, per the official House biography.
Key voting record
Voted yes on the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, the 2025 tax-and-spending package, which passed the House 218-214 in July 2025. Supported
Voted yes on the Laken Riley Act, expanding federal detention of certain immigrants charged with theft or violent crimes, which passed the House 263-156 in January 2025. Supported
Voted yes on the National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal 2026, which passed the House 231-196 in September 2025. Supported
Campaign siteFull profile
LW
Lakesha Womack
DEM
Biography
Womack has more than two decades of experience in financial services and small-business development and serves as chief strategy officer of a community development financial institution, per the campaign site. She also works as a consultant and minister, per the campaign site.
Top Priorities
  • Expanding economic opportunity and addressing affordability
  • Strengthening education
  • Protecting voting rights and affordable health care
Per the campaign site.
Campaign siteFull profile
About this race
North Carolina fields are from the State Board of Elections' certified general candidate list. NC redrew its congressional map in October 2025, so district boundaries differ from 2024 in the east; enter your street address with the official lookup to confirm your district.
U.S. Senate
4 candidates
Federal ▾
RC
Roy Cooper
DEM
Biography
Roy Cooper is the Democratic nominee for North Carolina's open U.S. Senate seat, a two-term former governor and four-term former attorney general. His Senate campaign's central theme is making everyday life cost less for North Carolinians, building on a gubernatorial record that included signing Medicaid expansion. The race for retiring Sen. Thom Tillis's seat is rated among the most competitive in the country.
Top Priorities
  • Lower everyday costs for North Carolina families
  • Protect health care access, building on Medicaid expansion
  • Invest in public schools and workforce training
Campaign Finance
$26,822,373 raised · top industries: Large donors giving $2,000+ (49% of receipts), Small-dollar donors under $200 (21% of receipts)
Key voting record
Signed North Carolina's Medicaid expansion into law in 2023, extending health coverage to hundreds of thousands of residents after years of advocacy. Supported
Vetoed the legislature' abortion ban in 2023, calling it an attack on reproductive freedom. Opposed
Campaign siteFull profile
MW
Michael Whatley
REP
Biography
Michael Whatley is the Republican nominee for North Carolina's open U.S. Senate seat, the former chair of the Republican National Committee and previously of the North Carolina GOP. Endorsed by President Trump, his campaign pledges to enact the America First agenda in the Senate, with an emphasis on law and order and rolling back policies like cashless bail.
Top Priorities
  • Enact the Trump administration's America First agenda
  • Restore law and order, including ending cashless bail
  • Secure the border and back law enforcement
Campaign Finance
$8,410,252 raised · top industries: Large donors giving $2,000+ (62% of receipts), Small-dollar donors under $200 (23% of receipts)
Campaign siteFull profile
Shannon W. Bray portrait
SW
Shannon W. Bray
Biography
Shannon W. Bray is a U.S. Navy veteran who served from 1991 to 1997 and now works as a cybersecurity professional and systems architect, according to his campaign site. Bray's background includes work on systems handling sensitive information and critical infrastructure. Bray is the Libertarian nominee for U.S. Senate in North Carolina.
Top Priorities
  • Opposing expansion of government surveillance and protecting digital privacy rights
  • Government transparency and accountability systems auditable by the public
  • Modernizing government technology systems while maintaining constitutional limits on defense and intelligence oversight
Per the campaign site.
Campaign siteFull profile
MD
Michael Dublin
Biography
Michael Dublin is a public school educator and community activist, according to his campaign site. He filed as the North Carolina Green Party's U.S. Senate candidate on June 15, 2026, per the state Green Party. Dublin is running for U.S. Senate in North Carolina in the November 2026 general election.
Top Priorities
  • Overturning Citizens United and ending gerrymandering
  • A Green New Deal for North Carolina with renewable energy development and union jobs
  • Criminal justice reform, voting rights protection, and expanded access to housing and education
Per the campaign site.
Campaign siteFull profile
Supreme Court Associate Justice, Seat 01
2 candidates
Statewide ▾
AE
Anita Earls
DEM
Biography
Earls is an attorney who currently serves as an Associate Justice on the North Carolina Supreme Court, per the campaign site. Her campaign focuses on protecting constitutional rights for North Carolinians, per the campaign site.
Top Priorities
  • Upholding the state constitution
  • Protecting access to healthcare
  • Defending the right to a sound basic public education and voting rights
Per the NCSBE Judicial Voter Guide.
Campaign siteFull profile
SS
Sarah Stevens
REP
Biography
Sarah Stevens is an attorney with more than 30 years in private practice and president of the Surry County Bar Association, per her campaign site. She has served as Republican Leader and Speaker Pro Tempore of the North Carolina House, chairing the House Elections Law and Judiciary Committees, and holds a law degree from Campbell University School of Law, per her campaign site.
Campaign siteFull profile
Court of Appeals Judge, Seat 01
2 candidates
Statewide ▾
JS
John S. Arrowood
DEM
Biography
John S. Arrowood is on the State Board of Elections certified candidate list for this seat's November 3, 2026 ballot. No campaign website was found as of September 8, 2026.
Full profile
MC
Michael C. Byrne
REP
Biography
Michael C. Byrne is on the State Board of Elections certified candidate list for this seat's November 3, 2026 ballot. No campaign website was found as of September 8, 2026.
Full profile
Court of Appeals Judge, Seat 02
2 candidates
Statewide ▾
T(
Tobias (Toby) Hampson
DEM
Biography
Tobias (Toby) Hampson is on the State Board of Elections certified candidate list for this seat's November 3, 2026 ballot. No campaign website was found as of September 8, 2026.
Top Priorities
  • Keeping judges with Court of Appeals experience on the bench
  • Defending the rule of law
Per the NCSBE Judicial Voter Guide.
Full profile
GC
George Cooper Bell
REP
Biography
George Cooper Bell is on the State Board of Elections certified candidate list for this seat's November 3, 2026 ballot. No campaign website was found as of September 8, 2026.
Full profile
Court of Appeals Judge, Seat 03
2 candidates
Statewide ▾
CM
Christine Marie Walczyk
DEM
Biography
Christine Marie Walczyk is on the State Board of Elections certified candidate list for this seat's November 3, 2026 ballot. No campaign website was found as of September 8, 2026.
Top Priorities
  • Protecting individual liberties and equal access to justice
  • Maintaining an independent judiciary
Per the NCSBE Judicial Voter Guide.
Full profile
CC
Craig Collins
REP
Biography
Craig Collins is on the State Board of Elections certified candidate list for this seat's November 3, 2026 ballot. No campaign website was found as of September 8, 2026.
Full profile

Countywide races in Gaston County

ZIP 28012 sits in Gaston County, per the Census crosswalk. These seats are voted countywide; district seats, city races and school boards need a street address. All Gaston County races (20).

Gaston County Board of Commissioners Dallas Township
2 candidates
County ▾
CC
Cathy Cloninger
REP
Biography
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.
Top Priorities
  • Fiscal responsibility, including prudent budget management and keeping tax rates low
  • Public safety and transparent county operations
Per the campaign site.
Campaign siteFull profile
MB
Matt Buchanan
DEM
Biography
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.
Top Priorities
  • a healthcare informed, community focused approach to county governance, per campaign site
Campaign siteFull profile
About this race
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.
Gaston County Board of Commissioners Gastonia Township
2 candidates
County ▾
JM
Jessica Maria Moreno
DEM
Biography
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.
Top Priorities
  • 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.
Campaign siteFull profile
TK
Tom Keigher
REP
Biography
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.
Full profile
About this race
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.
Gaston County Board of Commissioners Riverbend Township
1 candidate
County ▾
CB
Chad Brown
REP
Biography
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.
Full profile
Why only one name?
Only one name is on the ballot for this office: no other candidate qualified. An unopposed candidate is elected unless a write-in outpolls them where write-ins are allowed, so this line still counts as a vote.
About this race
Chad Brown (Republican), the incumbent and current Board Chairman, is unopposed on the November 3, 2026 ballot.
Gaston County Board of Education At-Large
2 candidates
County ▾
BE
Brenda Eskridge
DEM
Biography
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.
Top Priorities
  • Teacher retention through competitive pay
  • Equitable resource allocation across schools and expanded mental health services
Per the Future Education Magazine.
Full profile
DC
Dot Cherry
REP INCUMBENT
Biography
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.
Full profile
About this race
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.
Gaston County Board of Education Dallas Township
2 candidates
County ▾
JC
Josh Crisp
REP INCUMBENT
Biography
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.
Full profile
DG
Debra Gunnings-Johnson
DEM
Biography
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.
Full profile
About this race
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.
Gaston County Board of Education Gastonia Township
2 candidates
County ▾
C(
Che'z (Shea) Adams
DEM
Biography
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.
Top Priorities
  • Teacher compensation and facility improvements
  • Expanded teaching resources
Per the Future Education Magazine.
Full profile
TT
Tim Taylor
REP
Biography
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.
Top Priorities
  • Teacher retention and student safety
  • Expanding STEAM program offerings
Per the Future Education Magazine.
Full profile
About this race
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.
Gaston County Board of Education Riverbend Township
2 candidates
County ▾
BW
Barbara Walls
DEM
Biography
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.
Full profile
AS
A.M. Stephens III
REP INCUMBENT
Biography
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.
Campaign siteFull profile
About this race
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.
Gaston County Board of Education South Point Township
2 candidates
County ▾
DG
David Gain-Tang Chee
DEM
Biography
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.
Full profile
TK
Tod Kinlaw
REP INCUMBENT
Biography
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.
Top Priorities
  • Ensuring a safe and secure learning environment for students and teachers
  • Timely, competitive teacher compensation
  • Curriculum transparency for parents
Per the local press.
Full profile
About this race
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.
Gaston County Clerk of Superior Court
1 candidate
County ▾
TB
Thomas Brown
REP
Biography
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.
Top Priorities
  • Upholding high standards of public service and improving access to justice
  • Modernizing office operations using the state's eCourts program
Per the campaign site.
Campaign siteFull profile
Why only one name?
Only one name is on the ballot for this office: no other candidate qualified. An unopposed candidate is elected unless a write-in outpolls them where write-ins are allowed, so this line still counts as a vote.
About this race
Thomas Brown (Republican) is unopposed on the November 3, 2026 ballot for an open seat.
Gaston County Sheriff
1 candidate
County ▾
CE
Chad E. Hawkins
REP
Biography
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.
Campaign siteFull profile
Why only one name?
Only one name is on the ballot for this office: no other candidate qualified. An unopposed candidate is elected unless a write-in outpolls them where write-ins are allowed, so this line still counts as a vote.
About this race
Chad E. Hawkins (Republican), the incumbent sheriff first elected in 2022, is unopposed on the November 3, 2026 ballot.
Gaston Soil and Water Conservation District Supervisor
3 candidates
County ▾
DB
Dan Brandon
Biography
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.
Full profile
CW
Colby Watts
Biography
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.
Full profile
BW
Bill Ward
INCUMBENT
Biography
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.
Full profile
About this race
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.
North Carolina Superior Court Judge, District 38, Seat 1
1 candidate
County ▾
DA
David A. Phillips
REP INCUMBENT
Biography
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.
Full profile
Why only one name?
Only one name is on the ballot for this office: no other candidate qualified. An unopposed candidate is elected unless a write-in outpolls them where write-ins are allowed, so this line still counts as a vote.
About this race
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).
North Carolina District Court Judge, District 38, Seat 1
1 candidate
County ▾
C(
Cameron (Chip) Harrison
REP
Biography
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.
Full profile
Why only one name?
Only one name is on the ballot for this office: no other candidate qualified. An unopposed candidate is elected unless a write-in outpolls them where write-ins are allowed, so this line still counts as a vote.
About this race
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).
North Carolina District Court Judge, District 38, Seat 2
1 candidate
County ▾
W(
William (Gus) Anthony
REP INCUMBENT
Biography
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.
Full profile
Why only one name?
Only one name is on the ballot for this office: no other candidate qualified. An unopposed candidate is elected unless a write-in outpolls them where write-ins are allowed, so this line still counts as a vote.
About this race
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).

Statewide, North Carolina voters also decide 3 ballot questions — see the North Carolina ballot measures guide.

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Ballot info questions for 28012

Who is running for mayor in 28012?

Mayor races depend on the city tied to your address. Use the full-address lookup, then confirm with your city or county election office.

When is the primary election in this state?

Primary dates vary by state. Use this page's official election links to confirm the next primary deadline for your address.

Can I vote early in 28012?

Early voting rules vary by state and county. Check your official election links for dates, locations, and ID rules.

Where can I see a sample ballot for 28012?

Start with the Ballot Brief lookup results for this ZIP. If you need more district precision, use the Local page with a full address.

Data sources

Where does The Ballot Brief verify ballot info for 28012?

Vote.gov Official federal voter registration and voting information gateway.State election offices Official directory for state election deadlines, ballot rules, and voter resources.Federal Election Commission Federal candidate filings and campaign finance data.Congress.gov members Official congressional member records and identifiers.