{"campaigns":[{"candidatename":"Veronica B. Jones","chatgptsummary":null,"notes":null,"party":"DEM","person":{"biography":"Veronica B. Jones is the incumbent Vice Chairwoman and At\u2011Large Commissioner on the Cumberland County Board of Commissioners, and she is seeking re\u2011election to an at\u2011large seat in the November\u202f3,\u202f2026 general election as the Democratic nominee\u30101\u2020L1-L4\u3011\u30109\u2020L1-L4\u3011. The at\u2011large commissioner role involves setting county policy, approving the budget, and overseeing services that affect all residents of Cumberland County\u30102\u2020L1-L4\u3011.\n\nJones grew up in Fayetteville, North Carolina, graduating from Seventy\u2011First High School before pursuing higher education in psychology and communications. She attended Hardbarger Christian College (business), Liberty University, and Indiana Wesleyan Christian University, earning credentials that prepared her for a career in business and public service\u30102\u2020L31-L35\u3011.\n\nAfter more than 25\u202fyears in corporate America, Jones retired in 2016 and became a full\u2011time entrepreneur. She now leads the Jones Global Foundation as CEO/President and operates Jones Global Consulting Group and Green Ivy Incorporation, a family\u2011owned enterprise with offices in North Carolina, South Carolina, and New\u202fYork\u30102\u2020L44-L52\u3011. Her corporate experience includes senior roles such as Vice President of Branding and Strategy, Executive Director of Program Development, and Director of Family Services, among others\u30102\u2020L55-L60\u3011.\n\nJones entered elected office in 2022, winning an at\u2011large seat with 83\u202f% of the vote, the highest voter support among all candidates that year\u30102\u2020L1-L4\u3011. In December\u202f2024 she was unanimously elected Vice Chairwoman of the Board\u30102\u2020L5-L7\u3011\u30103\u2020L19-L22\u3011. She chairs several internal committees, including the Fayetteville City & Cumberland County Liaison Committee, the American Rescue Plan Committee, the Aquatic Center Project Committee, and the Unhoused Support Center Project Committee\u30102\u2020L20-L27\u3011. Her external board service includes the Cape Fear Valley Hospital System Board of Trustees, the Behavioral Alliance Mental Health Board, the County Public Health Board, the Social Services Board, the Juvenile Crime Prevention Council, the Southeastern Economic Development Commission, and the American Heart Association Community Ambassador program\u30102\u2020L9-L19\u3011. Jones is also active in numerous civic organizations such as the NAACP, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, the General Baptist State Convention of NC, and the Women\u2019s Baptist Home & Foreign Mission Convention\u30102\u2020L27-L31\u3011.\n\nIn the 2026 Democratic primary for the two at\u2011large commissioner seats, Jones placed first among six candidates, receiving 7,433 votes (19.51\u202f%) and securing the party\u2019s nomination alongside Charles Evans\u30109\u2020L13-L22\u3011. She will face Republican candidates Greg West and Ron\u202fRoss in the November general election\u30109\u2020L23-L26\u3011. Jones\u2019s campaign emphasizes mental\u2011health advocacy, affordable housing, education funding, support for disabled veterans and military families, clean\u2011water infrastructure, and public safety\u2014issues she has championed throughout her tenure\u30102\u2020L9-L13\u3011.\n\nJones\u2019s public profile includes a regular radio presence on WIDU\u202f1600, and she frequently engages the community through events such as the NAACP Founders Day Freedom Fund Luncheon\u30106\u2020L1-L4\u3011. Her leadership style is described as \u201cfearless\u201d and \u201ccommunity\u2011focused,\u201d reflecting her commitment to \u201cActions, Accountability, Community, Transparency and Services\u201d (ACTS) as outlined on her campaign website\u30107\u2020L1-L5\u3011.\n\n## Sources\n- [1] [Veronica B. Jones (Cumberland County Board of Commissioners At-Large, North Carolina, candidate 2026) - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Veronica_B._Jones_(Cumberland_County_Board_of_Commissioners_At-Large,_North_Carolina,_candidate_2026))\n- [2] [Veronica Jones - Commissioners](https://www.cumberlandcountync.gov/departments/commissioners-group/commissioners/commissioners/veronica-b.-jones)\n- [3] [Cumberland Commissioners Hold Swearing-in Ceremony, Elect deViere Chairman, Jones Vice Chairwoman](https://www.cumberlandcountync.gov/home/2024/12/03/cumberland-commissioners-hold-swearing-in-ceremony-elect-deviere-chairman-jones-vice-chairwoman)\n- [4] [Cumberland County Commissioners April 13, 2026 Regular Meeting Wrap-Up](https://www.cumberlandcountync.gov/departments/public-information-group/public-information/news-releases/news-release-full-story/2026/04/14/cumberland-county-commissioners-april-13-2026-regular-meeting-wrap-up)\n- [6] [Vice Chairwoman Veronica Jones enjoyed an inspiring ...](https://www.facebook.com/CCNCGov/posts/vice-chairwoman-veronica-jones-enjoyed-an-inspiring-afternoon-at-the-fayettevill/1026161632868573/)\n- [7] [Veronica Jones NC](https://www.veronicajonesnc.com/)\n- [9] [Evans and Jones Win Cumberland Commissioners Primary](https://www.cityviewnc.com/stories/charles-evans-veronica-jones-win-democratic-primary/)\n- [12] [Cumberland County \u2013 North Carolina Association of Registers of Deeds](https://www.ncard.us/find-your-register-of-deeds/cumberland-county/)","firstname":"Veronica","lastname":"Jones","middlename":"Brunell","suffix":null,"token":"5826885ab5d58a9c"},"token":"c5PCtLOqZgFzThJU"},{"candidatename":"Marshall Faircloth","chatgptsummary":null,"notes":null,"party":"DEM","person":{"biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\nWilliam Marshall Faircloth (W. Marshall Faircloth) is a current member of the Cumberland County Board of Commissioners, per the county's official commissioner roster, which lists his title as \"Commissioner\" [1]. He filed as a Democratic candidate for re-election to the at-large seat on the Cumberland County Board of Commissioners for the 2026 election cycle, with a candidacy filing dated December 18, 2025 [2]. However, Faircloth did not win renomination: in the March 3, 2026 Democratic primary for the at-large seat (a vote-for-2 contest), he placed fifth of six candidates with 3,922 votes. The top two finishers, Charles Evans (12,363 votes) and Veronica B. Jones (7,455 votes), advanced to face Republican nominees Greg West and Ron Ross in the November 3, 2026 general election. Faircloth's current term continues until his successor is seated, but he will not appear on the November 2026 ballot for this seat, per certified North Carolina State Board of Elections results [3].\n\n## Sources\n[1] [Cumberland County Board of Commissioners \u2014 Commissioner Bios](https://www.co.cumberland.nc.us/top-navigation-groups/your-gov/board-of-commissioners/commissioner-bios) \u2014 accessed 2026-07-21\n[2] [NC State Board of Elections \u2014 2026 Candidate Filing list](https://s3.amazonaws.com/dl.ncsbe.gov/Elections/2026/Candidate%20Filing/Candidate_Listing_2026.csv) \u2014 accessed 2026-07-21\n[3] North Carolina State Board of Elections, certified March 3, 2026 election results (`results_pct_20260303.txt`), https://s3.amazonaws.com/dl.ncsbe.gov/ENRS/2026_03_03/results_pct_20260303.zip \u2014 accessed 2026-07-21","firstname":"William","lastname":"Faircloth","middlename":"Marshall","suffix":null,"token":"c665362783bd1b62"},"token":"lEeyBd8VjaoxAb4Y"},{"candidatename":"Charles Evans","chatgptsummary":null,"notes":null,"party":"DEM","person":{"biography":"Charles Edward Evans is a Democratic candidate seeking an at\u2011large seat on the Cumberland County Board of Commissioners in the 2026 election. The Board of Commissioners serves as the county\u2019s governing body, with at\u2011large members elected county\u2011wide to four\u2011year terms. Evans previously held such a seat, first winning election in 2010 and winning re\u2011election in 2014 and 2018; his most recent term was set to expire in 2022\u30106\u2020L5-L9\u3011.\n\nEvans began his elected service on the Fayetteville City Council, where he served two terms from 2005 to 2009\u30106\u2020L9-L10\u3011. After moving to county government, he was chosen as vice chair of the Cumberland County Board of Commissioners in 2017\u30106\u2020L9-L10\u3011. His experience in local government has been complemented by involvement in statewide and national organizations. He served as the second vice president and later the first vice president of the North Carolina Association of Black County Officials, positions confirmed in a 2017 announcement\u30107\u2020L5-L9\u3011. In August 2020, Evans was elected president of that same organization, becoming the first from Cumberland County to hold the role\u30106\u2020L1-L4\u3011.\n\nBeyond state\u2011level leadership, Evans was appointed to the National Association of Counties Justice and Public Safety Steering Committee, allowing him to contribute to policy discussions on a national platform\u30106\u2020L10-L11\u3011. Throughout his tenure, he has emphasized representing the interests of Cumberland County residents both locally and in broader forums, noting his gratitude for the confidence placed in him by peers\u30106\u2020L2-L4\u3011.\n\nEvans\u2019 long\u2011standing involvement in public service, from city council to county commissioner and leadership roles in county\u2011official associations, forms the basis of his candidacy for the 2026 at\u2011large commission seat. He continues to campaign on the promise of leveraging his experience to address county\u2011wide concerns and to advocate for the community at the state and national levels.\n\n## Sources\n- [6] [Commissioner Elected President of State Organization](https://www.cumberlandcountync.gov/departments/public-information-group/public-information/news-releases/news-release-full-story/2020/08/17/commissioner-evans-elected-president-of-state-organization)\n- [7] [Evans Elected First Vice President of State Organization](https://www.cumberlandcountync.gov/departments/public-information-group/public-information/news-releases/news-release-full-story/2017/08/17/evans-elected-first-vice-president-of-state-organization)","firstname":"Charles","lastname":"Evans","middlename":"Edward","suffix":null,"token":"1a19949f3cb3387e"},"token":"cNiSIuX2kyp9YwHa"},{"candidatename":"William (Toonk) Wesley","chatgptsummary":null,"notes":null,"party":"DEM","person":{"biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\n\nWilliam Laytron \"Toonk\" Wesley (Democrat) filed on December 19, 2025, as a candidate for the Cumberland County Board of Commissioners at-large in Fayetteville, NC. He ran in the March 3, 2026 Democratic primary but was not among the candidates who advanced.\n\n## Sources\n\n- [1] [Here Is Who Has Filed For Office in Cumberland County's 2026 Elections \u2013 CityView NC](https://www.cityviewnc.com/stories/here-is-who-has-filed-for-office-in-cumberland-countys-2026-elections/)","firstname":"William","lastname":"Wesley","middlename":"Laytron","suffix":null,"token":"a2c0e3f57dba3c8c"},"token":"DYC5bFLFswVINR88"},{"candidatename":"Mario (BE) Benavente","chatgptsummary":null,"notes":null,"party":"DEM","person":{"biography":"According to the North Carolina voter file, Mario Luis Benavente is a registered voter in Cumberland County, North Carolina, registered since 2008 (18 years), with party affiliation listed as Democratic [1].\n\nThe voter file shows Mario Luis Benavente's year of birth as 1990; NC publishes only the year of birth in its bulk voter export, so day and month are not part of the public record [1].\n\nThe voter history file shows 16 elections voted in since 2016, most recently the 2026-03-03 primary election [2].\n\nThis summary draws only from the public North Carolina voter registration and history records. No additional published biographical information was located. Voters with personal knowledge of Mario Luis Benavente can reach ballotproject.org with corrections or additions.\n\nMario Luis Benavente, listed on the ballot as Mario (BE) Benavente, was a candidate for the Cumberland County Board of Commissioners At-Large (a vote-for-2 Democratic-primary seat) in the March 3, 2026 Democratic primary. He placed fourth of six candidates with 4,816 votes; the top two \u2014 Charles Evans (12,363) and Veronica B. Jones (7,455) \u2014 advanced to the November general alongside Republican nominees Greg West and Ron Ross. Benavente did not advance and will not appear on the November 3, 2026 general-election ballot, per certified North Carolina State Board of Elections results [3].\n\n## Sources\n[1] [North Carolina State Board of Elections \u2014 Voter Search](https://vt.ncsbe.gov/RegLkup/)\n\n[2] North Carolina State Board of Elections voter history file (`ncvhis_Statewide`), published at [dl.ncsbe.gov](https://dl.ncsbe.gov/)\n\n[3] North Carolina State Board of Elections, certified March 3, 2026 election results (`results_pct_20260303.txt`), https://s3.amazonaws.com/dl.ncsbe.gov/ENRS/2026_03_03/results_pct_20260303.zip \u2014 accessed 2026-07-21","firstname":"Mario","lastname":"Benavente","middlename":"Luis","suffix":null,"token":"05a9ef2b900efe33"},"token":"Mf8bcgmvypE_pUbu"},{"candidatename":"Toni Stewart","chatgptsummary":null,"notes":null,"party":"DEM","person":{"biography":"According to the North Carolina voter file, Latanya A Stewart is a registered voter in Cumberland County, North Carolina, registered since 2005 (21 years), with party affiliation listed as Democratic [1].\n\nThe voter file shows Latanya A Stewart's year of birth as 1971; NC publishes only the year of birth in its bulk voter export, so day and month are not part of the public record [1].\n\nThe voter history file shows 13 elections voted in since 2016, most recently the 2026-03-03 primary election [2].\n\nThis summary draws only from the public North Carolina voter registration and history records. No additional published biographical information was located. Voters with personal knowledge of Latanya A Stewart can reach ballotproject.org with corrections or additions.\n\nLatanya A Stewart, listed on the ballot as Toni Stewart, was a candidate for the Cumberland County Board of Commissioners At-Large (a vote-for-2 Democratic-primary seat) in the March 3, 2026 Democratic primary. She placed third of six candidates with 5,885 votes; the top two \u2014 Charles Evans (12,363) and Veronica B. Jones (7,455) \u2014 advanced to the November general alongside Republican nominees Greg West and Ron Ross. Stewart did not advance and will not appear on the November 3, 2026 general-election ballot, per certified North Carolina State Board of Elections results [3].\n\n## Sources\n[1] [North Carolina State Board of Elections \u2014 Voter Search](https://vt.ncsbe.gov/RegLkup/)\n\n[2] North Carolina State Board of Elections voter history file (`ncvhis_Statewide`), published at [dl.ncsbe.gov](https://dl.ncsbe.gov/)\n\n[3] North Carolina State Board of Elections, certified March 3, 2026 election results (`results_pct_20260303.txt`), https://s3.amazonaws.com/dl.ncsbe.gov/ENRS/2026_03_03/results_pct_20260303.zip \u2014 accessed 2026-07-21","firstname":"Latanya","lastname":"Stewart","middlename":"A","suffix":null,"token":"3b49bdd998d4ae2d"},"token":"rCpICB283Ua-EJJ7"}],"choices":null,"description":null,"district":null,"districtgroup":null,"districtgroupname":null,"districtname":null,"job_type":"county_commissioner","o.office":"county_commission","office":"county_commission","officedescription":"A county commissioner is a member of the county's legislative body. The commission approves the county budget, sets the property-tax rate, authorizes borrowing, and passes county resolutions and ordinances. Commissioners are elected from districts (or at-large seats) to represent constituents on countywide policy.","officequalities":"- Policy judgment on countywide matters \u2014 budget, taxes, land use, services, and intergovernmental issues \u2014 within Tennessee county-government law.\n- Budget literacy: the commission approves the county budget, sets the property-tax rate, and authorizes multi-year bond issues.\n- Legislative process: drafting, amending, and voting on resolutions and ordinances; committee work that pre-screens items.\n- Constituent relations in the district \u2014 case-work and community issues flow through the commissioner's office.\n- Willingness to complete the state-required annual continuing education through UT CTAS.","officeterm":4,"officetitle":"County Commissioner","partisan":1,"pgr":"general","quantity":2,"referendum":null,"source":null,"title":"Cumberland County Board Of Commissioners At-Large"}