Here are the 2026 candidates for local, judicial, state offices in Orange County
Orange County’s 2026 ballot promises a competitive race for sheriff and the election of at least one new county commissioner and a new county school board member.
Most partisan elections in the heavily Democratic county are decided in the March primary, because Republican challengers are rare in the general election.
The Board of Commissioners district primary system lets all voters across the county cast ballots in the at-large race. Voters in District 1, which covers Chapel Hill and Carrboro, and District 2, which covers the rest of the county, cast ballots in their respective primary races.
The primary winners will move on to the general election in November, when all voters may cast ballots in all of the races.
Commissioner Sally Greene has already announced that she will step down in December 2026 after eight years on the board. Three newcomers have stepped up to vie for her seat.
Orange County Register of Deeds Mark Chilton also will step down after 12 years in office. Chilton has endorsed Assistant Register of Deeds Amy McLamb as his replacement, and Chilton’s former competitor Penny Rich is also running.
In the Orange County Board of Education race, school board member André Richmond will not run for a second term. The school board race is nonpartisan.
In addition to three commissioners, four school board members and the Register of Deeds, voters will also elect a district attorney, Clerk of Superior Court, District Court judge, and state and federal lawmakers.
Incumbent Sheriff Charles Blackwood has one competitor: David LaBarre, the Durham County Sheriff’s Office director of Planning and Development.
Filing for the 2026 primary election ends at noon Dec. 19. Early voting starts Feb. 12, 2026.
The general election is Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2026.
When is the primary?
- The primary election is Tuesday, March 3. Polls will be open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
- Absentee (mail-in) voting starts Jan. 12. Voters can request mail-in ballots until 5 p.m. Feb. 17.
- Voters must register by 5 p.m. Feb. 6 to vote in person on March 3. Voters can also register at any Early Voting polling location.
- Early Voting runs Feb. 12 through Feb. 28.
More information: orangecountync.gov/1720/Elections
Who is running for office?
County Commissioners
The commissioners set the county budget and property tax rates, allocate money to schools, social services and public safety, and make policies affecting services, the local economy and more for years to come.
Three of the board’s seven seats are on the ballot: one seat in District 1; one seat in District 2; and one at-large seat.
District 1
Jamezetta Bedford (incumbent)
- Party affiliation: Democrat
- Relevant experience: Orange County Commissioners (3 years as chair, 2 as vice chair), 2018-present; Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools board member (chair and vice chair), 2003-2015; Democratic Women of Orange County, 2016-present; Orange County ABC Board, 2016-18; Orange County Communities in Schools board
- Career: Certified Public Accountant with Citrin Cooperman Advisors LLC
- Website: jamezettaforcommissioner.org
Maria Palmer
- Party affiliation: Democrat
- Relevant experience: Chapel Hill Town Council, 2013-2017; State Board of Education, 1999-2005; former member, Orange County Human Rights Commission; community organizer and activist
- Career: minister, educator, organ donation specialist
- Website: Not available
District 2
Beth Bronson
- Party affiliation: Democrat
- Relevant experience: Orange County Board of Adjustment (vice chair), 2021-present; Orange County Planning Board, 2021-present, local, state and federal campaign volunteer; volunteer work through Duke Cancer
- Career: Clinical researcher, Duke Hospital
- Website: Not available
Earl McKee (incumbent)
- Party affiliation: Democrat
- Relevant experience: Orange County commissioners, 2010-present; Little River Presbyterian Church deacon and elder; Orange County Planning Board, Social Services Board, Triangle J Council of Governments, Fire Chief’s Association of Orange County; founding member of the Caldwell Fire Department; Jaycees; Orange County Farm Bureau
- Career: Farmer; Summit Engineering inspector
- Website: facebook.com/EarlMcKeeOrange
Louis D. Capitanio
- Party affiliation: Republican
At-large
Adam Beeman
- Party affiliation: Democrat
- Relevant experience: Former chair and vice chair, Orange County Planning Board, 2017-25; Orange County Board of Adjustment, 2022-24; Orange County commissioner District 2 candidate in 2024; volunteer youth coach in Hillsborough Youth Athletic Association T-ball and Orange Recreation flag football.
- Career: Owner and operator, Beeman Electric Co.
- Website: beemanforocbocc.com
Karen Stegman
- Party affiliation: Democrat
- Relevant experience: Chapel Hill Town Council, 2017-25; Community Home Trust board of directors; former chair, Chapel Hill Public Housing Advisory Board; former chair, Ephesus Elementary School Improvement Team; PORCH neighborhood coordinator; Blue Ribbon Mentor-Advocate mentor; Orange County Partnership to End Homelessness board
- Career: Consultant, nonprofit strategy and resource development; former director of business development, IntraHealth International and JSI; former director of innovation partnerships at RTI International; and former program director, Orange County Family Resource Centers.
- Website: stegmanfororange.com
Jeffrey Hoagland
- Party affiliation: Republican
- Relevant experience: Candidate for House District 56 in 2024 and Chapel Hill Town Council in 2021 and 2023
- Career: Engineer and supervisor
- Website: Not available
Sheriff
The sheriff builds community relationships and leads dozens of deputies and non-sworn staff in enforcing laws and public safety, responding to emergencies, overseeing jail operations and court security, serving legal papers and court orders, and participating in community service programs.
Charles Blackwood (incumbent)
- Party affiliation: Democrat
- Relevant experience: Sheriff since 2014. Executive Board member and former president, N.C. Sheriffs’ Association; chair and former vice chair, N.C. Governor’s Crime Commission; former vice chair, N.C. Criminal Justice Information Network; board member, former vice chair N.C. Justice Academy Joint In-Service Training subcommittee; Sheriff’s Leadership Institute Curriculum Committee; SBI Center for the Analysis of Police Use of Force; Governor’s Task Force for Racial Equity in Criminal Justice; N.C. Fully Autonomous Vehicle Committee; and Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Abuse Services Board. Several Orange County boards. Awarded The Order of the Long Leaf Pine, the state’s highest civilian honor, in 2012, and the Dogwood Award for work combating the opioid epidemic in 2021.
- Career: 44 years with the Orange County Sheriff’s Office
- Website: blackwoodforsheriff.org
David LaBarre
- Party affiliation: Democrat
- Relevant experience: Third vice chair, Orange County Democratic Party; member, Orange County Human Relations Commission; FBI’s Raleigh-Durham Violent Gang Safe Streets Taskforce (2009-2016); FBI-certified Bomb Technician 2010-17; West Point Leadership Program Session XXV (2018); NCSU Law Enforcement Executive Program (LEEP) 2019
- Career: Sworn law enforcement officer, 2003-present (Basic, Intermediate and Advanced Law Enforcement Certifications); Executive Command Staff role as director of planning and development since 2017, Durham County Sheriff’s Office
- Website: labarreforsheriff.com
Orange-Chatham District Attorney
The Orange-Chatham district attorney works with law enforcement to determine if there is enough evidence to charge someone with a crime and how to prosecute them in court. The DA also leads a team of assistant district attorneys and investigators, and plays a key role in local and sometimes state criminal justice policy.
Jeff Nieman (incumbent)
- Party affiliation: Democrat
- Relevant experience: Created Outreach Court in 2012, North Carolina’s first therapeutic court for people experiencing homelessness; co-founder, N.C. Driver’s License Restoration Project; Teen Court judge, Volunteers for Youth diversion court program; member, Orange County NAACP Criminal Justice Committee; chair, Orange County Juvenile Crime Prevention Council; vice chair, Orange County Partnership to End Homelessness; active in the local fitness and civic group F3; Sunday School teacher, United Church of Chapel Hill; YMCA youth basketball coach
- Career: Orange-Chatham District Attorney since 2022; former assistant district attorney for 16 years; adjunct professor, N.C. Central University School of Law
- Website: jeffnieman.com
Clerk of Superior Court
The Clerk of Superior Court manages court staff and handles administrative work, such as court records and case management, financial transactions and budgets. The Clerk also acts as a judge in some cases, including for wills, adoptions and foreclosures, and manages juries and courtroom support services.
Mark Kleinschmidt (incumbent)
- Party affiliation: Democrat
- Relevant experience: Clerk of Superior Court, 2018-present; Chapel Hill mayor, 2009-15; Chapel Hill Town Council, 2001-09; board member, NC Guardianship Association; board member, The ArtsCenter
- Career: Clerk of Superior Court since 2018; attorney; adjunct law professor, UNC School of Law
- Website: facebook.com/MarkJKleinschmidt
Register of Deeds
The Register of Deeds office handles real estate and vital records, such as marriages and birth and death certificates. It also processes passport applications and administers notary public services, business filings, and public notices.
Amy Jo McLamb
- Party affiliation: Democrat
- Career: Orange County Assistant Register of Deeds, 1999-present
- Website: mclamb4deeds.com
Penny Rich
- Party affiliation: Democrat
- Relevant experience: Unsuccessful run for Register of Deeds in 2022; four years in Orange County Clerk of Superior Court’s Office; Orange County Board of Commissioners (former chair), 2012-2020; Chapel Hill Town Council, 2009-2012; OWASA Board of Directors, 2001-2007; mentor, Hodges Scholars program; member, Orange County Democratic Party; member, Democratic Women; Orange County representative, N.C. Democratic Party State Executive Committee
- Career: Assistant Clerk of Superior Court, Orange County
- Website: facebook.com/pennyrich
Orange County Board of Education
The board reviews and sets district priorities, policies and budgets, advocating with county commissioners for school funding needs. The board also hires and/or fires the superintendent and approves contracts. Four of the board’s seven nonpartisan seats are on the ballot.
Will Atherton (incumbent)
- Relevant experience: Orange County Schools board member (chair), 2018-present; Community and Technical Education (CTE) Committee (chair), Finance & Capital Needs Committee (chair), Policy Committee (chair), Orange County Community Engagement Committee, Student Achievement Committee, Joint Leadership Committee of Orange County Schools, Chapel Hill-Carrboro Schools and Board of Commissioners, Liaison for Orange County Schools Business Advisory Board, Orange County Special Needs Advisory Council, liaison, Artificial Intelligence (AI) District Committee, NCSBA Academy of School Boardsmanship Recognition, Certificate of Achievement for over 101 hours of training
- Career: IT/technology
- Website: facebook.com/willfororangecountyschools
Brian D. Edwards
- Relevant experience: Active in Orange County Democratic Party, including as precinct captain in 2010; political campaign volunteer; former president, UNC-Pembroke College Democrats; former secretary, UNC-Pembroke Student Government Association; member, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Fraternity of America; member and former treasurer, Hillsborough United Church of Christ
- Career: works at Walmart; formerly employed in public safety and criminal justice
- Website: facebook.com/profile.php?id=61585343304650
Anne Purcell (incumbent)
- Relevant experience: Orange County School Board member (former chair) since 2022. Lifelong Hillsborough resident and 30-year Orange County Schools educator, including as a teaching assistant, middle and high school teacher, assistant high school principal, director of student services. Retired as principal from C.W. Stanford Middle School (now Orange Middle School) in 2018 and returned briefly in 2019-20 as Orange High School interim principal.
- Career: Retired educator
- Website: facebook.com/anne.purcell.360767
Lori Russell
- Relevant experience: Leukemia & Lymphoma Society; Peace Corps; refugee service projects at Duke Law; corporate philanthropy projects; member, Public School Strong; three children attend or graduated from OCS
- Career: Attorney, consultant on corporate ethics and compliance
- Website: electlorirussell.com
Sarojini “Saru” Salvi
- Relevant experience: member, Orange County Board of Equalization and Review (2023-present); former member, Hillsborough Planning Board (2021-24) and Water & Sewer Advisory Board (2016-2024, including as vice chair); former member, Orange County Affordable Housing Board (2020-2023); former member, Orange County Advisory Board on Aging (2022-2023); former middle school substitute teacher; Guardian ad litem volunteer
- Career: Retired from work supporting clinical drug studies and managing consulting businesses with U.S. and European pharmaceutical companies; notary public
- Website: sarusalvi.com
Sarah Smylie (incumbent)
- Relevant experience: Orange County Board of Education (former vice chair), 2018-present; past chair, Student Achievement Committee; past chair, Budget Committee; board liaison, Orange County Climate Council; current OCS parent
- Career: Talent management advisor for nonprofits; former teacher
- Website: sarahsmylie.org
NC District Court Judge District 18
District Court judges must be licensed to practice law in North Carolina and live in the district they serve. The races are partisan, meaning each candidate’s party affiliation will appear beside his or her name. District Court judges serve four-year terms.
C. Todd Roper (incumbent)
- Party affiliation: Democrat
- Relevant experience: Member, Rotary International, Ruritan Club; member, South Fork Friends Assembly of Faith
- Career: District Court judge 2020-present; attorney in Orange and Chatham counties for 30 years
- Website: judgetoddroper.com
U.S. House of Representatives District 4
Nida Allam
- Party affiliation: Democrat
- Website: nidaallam.com
Valerie Foushee (incumbent)
- Party affiliation: Democrat
- Website: valeriefoushee.com
Mary Patterson
- Party affiliation: Democrat
- Website: not available yet
Guy Meilleur
- Party affiliation: Libertarian
- Website: guy4nc.org
Mahesh “Max” Ganorkar
- Party affiliation: Republican
- Website: facebook.com/mganorkar
NC Senate District 23
Graig Meyer (incumbent)
- Party affiliation: Democrat
- Website: graigmeyer.com
Laura Pichardo
- Party affiliation: Republican
- Website: pichardonc.com
NC House of Representatives District 50
Renee Price (incumbent)
- Party affiliation: Democrat
- Website: facebook.com/ReneePrice4NC
Brandall Redd
- Party affiliation: Democrat
- Website: @reddfornc (Instagram); @reddfornchouse (X/Twitter); @reddfornchouse (TikTok)
Mary Lucas
- Party affiliation: Democrat
- Website: marylucasfornc.com
NC House of Representatives District 56
Allen Buansi (incumbent)
- Party affiliation: Democrat
- Website: allenbuansi.com
Matthew Clements
- Party affiliation: Libertarian
- Website: facebook.com/matthew4freedom
We will update this list through the end of the filing period Dec 19. Please check back for updates.
This story was originally published December 3, 2025 at 1:16 PM.
