Tod Kinlaw

Kinlaw's top issues include school resource officers in every school, parental decision-making authority on issues affecting their children, policies on sports and locker room access based on biological sex and teacher compensation tied to performance. He states, "I support SRO's [school resource officers] in every school," and says on contested family-related issues, "I support it being a decision made by each individual parent." The Gaston Gazette reported that Kinlaw described himself as an advocate who will "hold staff accountable and work to make sure every parent is fully engaged and well-informed." In April 2026, Kinlaw faced public calls to resign from activists and community leaders after he shared a social media post making derogatory statements about Islam, including that the religion is a “satanic dealth cult.” Board Chairman Josh Crisp said in response that the post "does not reflect the views of the full board." Kinlaw also ran unsuccessfully for county commission in 2024.