{"campaigns":[{"candidatename":"Lee Kirkman","chatgptsummary":null,"notes":null,"party":"REP","person":{"biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\n\nLee Kirkman (Obie Lee Kirkman Jr. in public records) is the Republican incumbent Chairman of the Craven County Board of Education, representing District 2 [1]. He is running unopposed for reelection in the November 3, 2026 general election [2].\n\n## Background and education\n\nKirkman was born and raised in Craven County and is \"a product of Craven County Schools,\" graduating from West Craven High School [1]. He earned a bachelor's degree in Agricultural Economics/Ag Business Management from NC State University and later a Master of School Administration/Educational Leadership degree from East Carolina University [1].\n\n## Career\n\nKirkman taught Agricultural Education and served as FFA Advisor at West Craven High School for thirteen years, then became Program Director for the Smaller Learning Communities Federal Grant, through which he helped establish the Freshman Academy, AVID, and Link-Crew programs [1]. He later served as Assistant Principal at West Craven High School before leaving for full-time ministry [1]. He currently serves as Pastor/Director at Kirkman Farm Ministries/Kirkman Family Farms in Cove City [1].\n\n## Office history\n\nKirkman chairs the Craven County Board of Education representing District 2, with a current term of March 2025 \u2013 November 2026 [1].\n\n## Family\n\nKirkman has two children, Grace and Isaac, both graduates of Craven County Schools \u2014 the district he governs [1].\n\n## Sources\n[1] [Lee Kirkman \u2014 Craven County Board of Education](https://www.cravenk12.org/about/board-of-education) \u2014 accessed 2026-07-19\n\n[2] [Meet your Craven County Candidates for the 2026 Election](https://wcti12.com/news/election/meet-your-craven-county-candidates-for-the-2026-election) \u2014 accessed 2026-07-19","firstname":"Obie","lastname":"Kirkman","middlename":"Lee","suffix":"JR","token":"6973d05396872d34"},"token":"4Ucrla6S_BVptw6h"}],"choices":null,"description":null,"district":null,"districtgroup":null,"districtgroupname":null,"districtname":null,"job_type":"school_board","o.office":"county_school_board","office":"county_school_board","officedescription":"A school board member serves on the elected body that governs a public school district. The board sets district policy and budget priorities and hires and evaluates the superintendent, while leaving day-to-day management to the administration.","officequalities":"- Policy judgment for a public school district \u2014 setting direction while leaving day-to-day management to the superintendent.\n- Budget literacy for operating and capital budgets, in coordination with the county commission (which appropriates) and the state.\n- Ability to hire, evaluate, and when necessary replace the superintendent \u2014 the board's highest-stakes recurring decision.\n- Constituent relations with parents, teachers, principals, and community members.\n- Willingness to complete the state-required annual training through the Tennessee School Boards Association.","officeterm":4,"officetitle":"County School Board Member","partisan":1,"pgr":"general","quantity":1,"referendum":null,"source":null,"title":"Craven County Board Of Education District 02"}