City of Gastonia Council Member
Ward 02

The Election Hub has partnered with the Gaston Business Association to bring voters information about Gaston County candidates. 

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Gastonia’s City Council has six members and is presided over by a mayor. Candidates must reside in the wards they represent. Except for Ward 4 this year, candidates are elected by their respective ward voters and serve four-year terms. Wards 1, 2 and 5 are up for reelection this year. The Ward 4 election is for an unexpired term (it will be up for reelection on schedule again in 2027) and will be voted on citywide. The elections are nonpartisan, which means that party affiliations are not listed on the ballot.  Longtime council member Dave Kirlin decided not to run for reelection, creating an opening for a newcomer. 

The key issues that candidates cite about Gastonia are economic development, the prevalence of vacant buildings downtown and recent tension at city council meetings. Gastonia’s population is approximately 85,000, and its median income is $60,000.  

Thirty-five percent of Gastonia’s registered voters are unaffiliated, 35% are Democrat and 29% are Republican.