2026 General Election: November 3, 2026. New info launches early October.
Lee Dedmon
Party:
Democrat
Incumbent:
Yes
Age:
78
Previous experience in elected office:
Gaston County Board of Education (2014-present)
Occupation:
Retired principal
Description:
Dedmon is a longtime educator who has served on the school board since 2014. He does not appear to have a campaign website. In media interviews in previous elections, he has said the county must keep teacher pay competitive and that the school system needs to invest in programs that support new teachers.
Other personal:
Dedmon is the retired principal of Cherryville Senior High School and Highland School of Technology, a magnet school in Gastonia. He is a father and grandfather. He played basketball at UNC Chapel Hill for legendary coach Dean Smith from 1969-71, and the Gaston Gazette once called Dedmon, who was listed at 6’10”, “probably the tallest principal in the history of Gaston County Schools.”
No candidate website or social media found