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Key details about Ahmid Kargbo < Back to Candidates Ahmid Kargbo Party: Democrat Incumbent: No Age: 25 Previous experience in elected office: None Occupation: Former IT worker; student at Central Piedmont Community College Description: On his website, Kargbo says he wants Medicare for all, free public education, a high speed rail network that enables improved transportation and to end "the Genocide in Palestine." In a Gaston Business Association forum, he said he wants universal childcare, to tackle the student loan crisis, and to nationalize artificial intelligence to "make it work for the working class," not big corporations and surveillance companies. While he said he would fight to prevent corporations from buying up affordable housing, he also advocates for "rewarding municipalities for zoning changes." He also stated that he believes zoning codes that result in higher property taxes can be unfair for young people and people of color seeking to buy a home. Kargbo also advocates abolishing and prosecuting DHS and ICE, and reinvesting in public media following the Trump administration's cuts. Other personal: Kargbo is the son of West African immigrants and moved to the Huntersville area from Raleigh when he was 8. He graduated from Hopewell High School. Candidate Website Video from Gaston Business Association's Candidate Forum The Election Hub Questionnaire Please provide demographic information about yourself to help voters (age, education, current occupation, where you live). I am 25 years old, live in Huntersville, and have lived in North Carolina my whole life. I have some college education with certifications. I'm currently going back to school after being laid off working in corporate America for three years. Why are you running for this role and why should voters pick you? Please share your previous experience in elected office that would be relevant to voters. I am the only candidate pushing truly progressive policies in this race. No other candidate will sponsor Medicare for All, free public college, or the abolition of ICE. Americans are yearning for leaders who have a bold vision of the future that addresses the root of our major issues. Companies such as Duke Energy should not be regulated monopolies that can charge extra before providing service. We should break up big utility companies like Duke Energy and turn them into a public good to lower the bills of Americans. The Green New Deal is also necessary to transform our country from the oil age to a 100% renewable future. Brent Caldwell doesn't even have the moral clarity to say there is an ongoing genocide of the Palestinian people by Israel, funded by our taxpayer dollars. He should be the last choice on anyone's ballot in the primary. This is my first venture into public office. Tell us 1-2 professional accomplishments you have achieved in your work experience (not limited to public service) that give voters a sense of your leadership style or skills. I completed the Year Up program in 2021. That launched me into corporate America where I worked for three years. I am grateful to them for helping me develop and polish many professional skills I still use today. What endorsements from any notable North Carolina organizations or people have you received? None yet How long have you lived in the region/district where you are running for office? I have lived in Huntersville for 16 years. Tell us something unexpected about yourself that voters may be interested to know. [Candidate did not respond to this question.] Questionnaire from the Gaston Business Association Please provide a short introduction (50 words or less) highlighting your background and achievements. I am a first generation American who has lived in North Carolina my whole life. What motivated you to seek this office, and what specific skills, experiences, or perspectives uniquely prepare you to serve effectively in this role? I am seeking this office because of the dire state of the economy. I didn’t see any one else with a progressive policies like Medicare for All or free public education, and wanted to run on a platform that includes every age group. From your perspective, what are the top issues impacting Gaston County’s business climate and economic competitiveness? If elected, what specific actions would you support or pursue to strengthen our local economy? Zoning and the lack of public transportation. Gaston County is suffering from a lack of tax revenue and ways to generate it. Worst of all the infrastructural costs from the mostly single-family zoned county is completely unsustainable.This is nothing unique to most counties in the union unfortunately. Funding for robust public transportation systems to connect Gaston County to its nearby metropolitan areas, would transform Gaston County back to the Main Street, mixed use development zoning it was founded on. Towns like High Shoals used to have rail that connected them to bigger towns. We need to return to the basis of how our towns in NC were built and prioritize transit-oriented design. Given the office you are seeking (U.S. House, N.C. House, Sheriff, Commissioner, or School Board), what do you believe is the most pressing issue within the scope of that role, and how would you address it? Healthcare. Politicians like Tim Moore have used their posaition of power to cut the social safety net many Americans rely on with the “Big Beautiful Bill”. Immediate extensions to the ACA tax credits are needed to reduce the death and suffering that will be caused by the lack of insured Americans this year. In the long term shifting to a universal healthcare system like Medicare for All would lower costs for Americans, while removing middlemen like United Healthcare who price gouge working class people. Effective leadership requires collaboration across sectors. How would you work with local businesses, municipal leaders, and community organizations to advance shared goals? To prioritize the issues that affect us all. Local business, leaders and organization all want money to fund the necessary services our communities need, and they all agree we need more tax revenue. Relaxing the zoning codes would allow for more types of housing to be built and generate property tax. I understand however many communities don’t want to suffer from unnecessary urban sprawl. So I would work with leaders and organizations to find out the right balance of growth needed for the community. < Previous Candidate Next Candidate >

Key details about Jesse Oppenheim < Back to Candidates Jesse Oppenheim Party: Democrat Incumbent: No Age: Approximately 40 Previous experience in elected office: None Occupation: General counsel for a healthcare software company Description: (UPDATE: Oppenheim announced on Facebook that he has suspeded his campaign due to a family medical issue.) Oppenheim says that he wants to focus on "making health care more affordable and accessible, fixing our roads and schools" and bringing good jobs into our communities. He says that he is running because District 8 has been represented by people "more interested in stoking outrage than solving problems." Other personal: Oppenheim is a father and previously lived in the New York area before moving to Charlotte. He attended Kenyon College and has a JD from Brooklyn Law School. Candidate Website The Election Hub Questionnaire No response from candidate < Previous Candidate Next Candidate >

Key details about Phil Carey < Back to Candidates Phil Carey Party: Democrat Incumbent: No Age: 56 Previous experience in elected office: None Occupation: Owner, Carpe Properties, a property management company Description: Carey’s campaign website identifies his top issues as strengthening transparency in county government, public safety and crime reduction, improving physical and mental healthcare access, supporting small businesses, building local partnerships and improving transportation infrastructure in Mecklenburg County’s District 3. On his website, Carey emphasizes advocating for stronger crime legislation, supporting zero-tolerance policies for physical violence in schools, reopening and properly resourcing juvenile justice facilities, expanding access to mental-health services and school-based counseling, strengthening crisis response with clinicians involved, supporting small businesses through expanded CPCC Small Business Center services and micro-retail options, and improving public transit affordability and accessibility. Other personal: Carey has lived in Mecklenburg County for nearly 30 years. He is a single father and a recent empty-nester whose son attended Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools. His background includes owning and operating a property management company for 25 years, serving on multiple county and nonprofit boards and coaching competitive youth soccer and basketball teams. Carey holds a bachelor’s and a master’s from UNC Chapel Hill, as well as a master’s from North Carolina Central University. Candidate Website The Election Hub Questionnaire No response from candidate < Previous Candidate Next Candidate >

Cornelius Board of Commissioners Cornelius Mayor Town of Cornelius Board of Commissioners Cornelius residents will vote for five town commissioners and a mayor. They are elected to two-year terms. The races are nonpartisan, which means candidates’ political parties will not be listed on the ballot. The key duties of the commissioners are to allocate the city’s budget (the town’s budget is about $3M), fund first responders (fire and police), determine parameters around new development within city limits and advocate for the town to partner with other parts of the state and region. Cornelius is an affluent community that has grown rapidly in the last two decades; its population has almost tripled since 2000, to 34,000, and the median household income is $115,000. Politically, 42% of Cornelius voters are unaffiliated, while 35% are Republican and 21% are Democrat. Board of Commissioners Candidates

Key details about Elizabeth A. Temple < Back to Candidates Elizabeth A. Temple Party: Republican Incumbent: No Age: 55 Previous experience in elected office: None; ran unsuccessfully for N.C. House in 2024 Occupation: Music teacher Description: Temple provided little information about her political positions but said that voters should pick her because "I am a member of the Town Board Historic Preservation and Properties," She also says she supports voter ID laws. She says she "was encouraged by a Republican to run for anything this election cycle." She has also run unsuccessfully for her town council twice. Other personal: Temple lives in Smithfield, in the Raleigh region. She is a member of the NAACP and says she received bachelor's and master's degrees from East Carolina University. She also took courses at Campbell University and UNC Greensboro. In 2019, she was accused of making offensive comments to elementary school students while she was a substitute teacher, a charge she has since defended herself against. No candidate website found The Election Hub Questionnaire Please provide demographic information about yourself to help voters (age, education, current occupation, where you live). I am 55 years old. I will be 56 on June 27th. I graduated Bachelor's and Master's at East Carolina University. I was admitted to and took courses at Campbell U. and UNC-G in PhD programs. Born in Smithfield, N.C. I live here now. Why are you running for this role and why should voters pick you? Please share your previous experience in elected office that would be relevant to voters. I am a member of the Town Board Historic Preservation and Properties, I ran for Town Council twice in the past two cycles. I was a candidate for N.C. House District 28 last year. I am a longtime white member of NAACP in Harnett and Johnston counties, N.C., but I support Voter ID. This might set me apart from other competitors. Tell us 1-2 professional accomplishments you have achieved in your work experience (not limited to public service) that give voters a sense of your leadership style or skills. I am listed in Who's Who Among America's Teachers 2007, Cambridge Who's Who 2009, Marquis Who's Who in America Women in Business 2021-2022 What endorsements from any notable NC organizations or people have you received? I was encouraged by a Republican to run for anything this election cycle. I applied for endorsements recently by anyone requesting information, but I am a money-free campaign. How long have you lived in the region/district where you are running for office? Since 1970, when I was born on June 27. I am a current licensed teacher K-12 see licensure lookup at NCDPI website. Teaching in Harnett, Lenoir, Pitt, Wake, Cumberland counties. Tell us something unexpected about yourself that voters may be interested to know. I have three nieces in the public schools, they are Lily, Ahnala, and Willow Temple. They successfully play sports. I was married once. I love all people and have always tried to befriend all people. < Previous Candidate Next Candidate >

Key details about Daryl Farrow < Back to Candidates Daryl Farrow Party: Democrat Incumbent: No Age: Approximately 65 Previous experience in elected office: None; ran unsuccessfully for Congress (NC-3) in 2020 Occupation: NA Description: We were unable to find information about Farrow's positions and he did not respond to our outreach. Other personal: Farrow is a Navy veteran and attended Kansas State University. No candidate website found. The Election Hub Questionnaire No response from candidate < Previous Candidate Next Candidate >

Key details about Cyril Jefferson < Back to Candidates Cyril Jefferson Party: Democrat Incumbent: No Age: 33 Previous experience in elected office: Mayor of High Point; former High Point City Council Member Occupation: Mayor of High Point; Founder of Change Often, a consulting firm for nonprofits and philanthropic organizations Description: On his website, Jefferson's top issues are to secure the border "the smart way," fund modern policing tools, and support economic development by expanding broadband and boosting small business growth with microloans. Other personal: Jefferson is the mayor of High Point and was a city council member. He was also a music teacher and high school band director. He is married and the father of two. Jefferson has a bachelor's degree from North Carolina A&T State University. Candidate Website Video Interview of Candidate The Election Hub Questionnaire Please provide demographic information about yourself to help voters (age, education, current occupation, where you live). I am 33 years old, currently residing in High Point, NC, with my wife, Raven, and our two sons: Cyril II & Royce. I have deep community ties as an alum of T. Wingate Andrews High School (High Point) and North Carolina A&T State University (Aggie Pride!). Before being elected as the youngest Mayor in our city’s history, I served on the High Point City Council and worked as an educator in our public school system. Why are you running for this role and why should voters pick you? Please share your previous experience in elected office that would be relevant to voters. I’m running because families deserve a government that works for them, not powerful interests. Too many people are being squeezed by rising costs while Washington remains gridlocked and disconnected from everyday life. Voters should choose me because I bring a builder’s mindset and a proven record of delivering results, both in public office and previous leadership as the CEO of a social innovation firm focused on community-centered solutions. I currently serve as Mayor of High Point and previously served on the City Council. In office, I’ve brought together bipartisan and diverse coalitions to cut red tape, expand housing, strengthen workforce pathways, and reduce crime through collaborative, evidence-based approaches. I’m also a member of Take BAC Congress, a bipartisan initiative focused on restoring balance, accountability, and public trust through government reforms like congressional term limits, banning stock trading while in office, and overturning citizens united. Doing this will help fix the broken machinery of Washington, D.C. Tell us 1-2 professional accomplishments you have achieved in your work experience (not limited to public service) that give voters a sense of your leadership style or skills. Under my leadership, the City of High Point was awarded and named an All America City in 2024 for our innovative and engaging approach to fighting food insecurity, supporting entrepreneurs, and rebranding our community as a global leader in arts and design. I also secured more than $20 million from philanthropic and government partners at the state and federal levels to address issues related to small business development, downtown revitalization, workforce development, homelessness, and education. What endorsements from any notable North Carolina organizations or people have you received? My campaign has earned the support of a growing coalition of civic leaders and organizations committed to strengthening democracy, accountability, and ethical governance. I’ve received endorsements and pledges of support from U.S. Term Limits, reflecting my commitment to congressional term limits and institutional accountability; Take Back Congress, a bipartisan initiative focused on restoring balance and public trust in Congress; the D.C. Statehood Pledge, affirming my support for admitting Washington, D.C. as the 51st state; and I See Purple, reflecting a public commitment to democratic norms, constitutional checks and balances, and putting country over party. I’m also proud to be supported by respected leaders, including Rev. Dr. Roy Dennis, Senior Pastor of Gethsemane Baptist Church in Salisbury and Moderator of the Rowan Baptist Association; Hon. Melvin “Skip” Alston, member of the Guilford County Board of Commissioners; Deena Hayes-Greene, Managing Director of the Racial Equity Institute in Greensboro; Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi; and Arne Duncan, former U.S. Secretary of Education. Together, these endorsements reflect a broad coalition grounded in faith, public service, equity, education, and democratic reform. How long have you lived in the region/district where you are running for office? 30 years Tell us something unexpected about yourself that voters may be interested to know. I was raised in a family of ministers, veterans, and civil servants. This experience shaped my belief that leadership is about service, compassion, and lifting others up first. I first ran for office as an underdog in my City Council race, building a broad, grassroots coalition to win, and later did the same in my mayoral campaign, becoming the youngest person ever elected Mayor of High Point. Those races taught me how to listen, organize, and bring people together across differences to get results. < Previous Candidate Next Candidate >

District 1 District 2 District 3 District 4 District 5 District 6 CMS Board of Education District 6 District 6 is in the southernmost part of the county, covering Pineville, Ballantyne and Steele Creek. The winner of the election will be a newcomer. Current board member Summer Nunn decided not to seek reelection because she did not want to put her “career, family or reputation at risk because of politics .” This term lasts four years and is one of nine elected positions at CMS. CMS high schools that are in District 6 include Ardrey Kell, Ballantyne Ridge, Charlotte-Meck Virtual, Harper Middle College, PACE/CTE, Palisades and South Meck. This is a nonpartisan race, so candidate political parties will not be listed on the ballot. Board of Education District 6 Candidates

Key details about Colby Watson < Back to Candidates Colby Watson Party: Democrat Incumbent: No Age: Approximately 37 Previous experience in elected office: None Occupation: Small business owner ("federal contractor") Description: Watson's key issues are to regulate corporate ownership of homes, preventing medical debt from bankrupting people, improving education for children and helping N.C. farmers. Other personal: Watson is a Union County native and father of two. He says that while he does not hold "a fancy degree," he built a business with his brother that "grew to employ more than 50 people." Candidate Website The Election Hub Questionnaire No response from candidate < Previous Candidate Next Candidate >