{"campaigns":[{"candidatename":"Tim Merrick","chatgptsummary":null,"notes":null,"party":"DEM","person":{"biography":"Timothy Charles \"Tim\" Merrick is a Democratic candidate for the North Carolina House of Representatives, District\u202f20, on the November\u202f3,\u202f2026 general\u2011election ballot.  The North Carolina Constitution requires state House members to be at least 21\u202fyears old, a resident of the district they seek to represent, and a qualified voter in the state\u202f[1].  Merrick meets those qualifications and is also a sitting member of the New Hanover County Board of Education, a position he has held while campaigning for the state legislature\u202f[1].\n\nMerrick\u2019s public\u2011service background is rooted in education and health care.  He grew up in a family of educators\u2014his mother was a first\u2011grade teacher, his father a middle\u2011school principal, and his grandfather testified before the U.S. Supreme Court in\u202fBrown\u202fv.\u202fBoard of Education\u202f[11].  After completing a chiropractic degree (New York Chiropractic College, 1988\u20111991) he founded Alive\u202f&\u202fWell Chiropractic in 2008 and has represented the World Chiropractic Alliance at the United Nations since 2010\u202f[11].  He also spent two years living in Africa on humanitarian missions, experiences he cites as shaping his commitment to public service\u202f[11].\n\nIn addition to his health\u2011care practice, Merrick has operated a small business for more than four decades, describing himself as a \u201cbuyer\u2019s agent\u201d and \u201csmall\u2011business owner\u201d who understands budgeting, team leadership, and community investment\u202f[11].  His elected role on the New Hanover County Board of Education has given him direct experience overseeing public\u2011school policy, budgeting, and community engagement in one of the state\u2019s largest school districts\u202f[1].\n\nMerrick\u2019s campaign platform emphasizes four pillars: (1) a thriving, affordable North Carolina that raises wages, supports local businesses, and reduces health\u2011care costs; (2) balanced, responsible growth that protects neighborhoods and the environment; (3) expanded opportunity for all through investment in public schools, small\u2011business development, and infrastructure; and (4) protection of essential services such as fully funded education, clean water, and affordable health care\u202f[11].  He positions himself as a champion for strong public schools, accessible health care, clean water, and responsible development, arguing that these are the foundations of a healthy community.\n\nFinancial disclosures for the 2024\u20112025 cycle show Merrick raised roughly $48,600 and spent $46,200, with contributions from individuals and small\u2011business owners and expenditures on marketing, media, and campaign operations\u202f[15].  While he has not yet completed Ballotpedia\u2019s Candidate Connection survey, the campaign\u2019s website provides a contact email (tim@electtimmerrick.com) for voters and supporters\u202f[1].\n\nIf elected, Merrick would bring his experience as a health\u2011care professional, small\u2011business operator, and education board member to the state legislature, aiming to shape policy that supports families, strengthens schools, and promotes sustainable economic growth in District\u202f20 and across North Carolina.\n\n## Sources\n- [1] [Tim Merrick - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Tim_Merrick)\n- [2] [North Carolina elections, 2026 - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/North_Carolina_elections,_2026)\n- [3] [United States Senate election in North Carolina, 2026 - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/United_States_Senate_election_in_North_Carolina,_2026)\n- [4] [North Carolina House of Representatives elections, 2026 - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/North_Carolina_House_of_Representatives_elections,_2026)\n- [6] [Candidate Lists | NCSBE](https://www.ncsbe.gov/results-data/candidate-lists)\n- [7] [Upcoming Election | NCSBE](https://www.ncsbe.gov/voting/upcoming-election)\n- [10] [2026 United States Senate election in North Carolina - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2026_United_States_Senate_election_in_North_Carolina)\n- [11] [Elect Tim Merrick | Elect Tim Merrick](https://electtimmerrick.com/)\n- [12] [Voter Guide Profile for NC New Hanover County Schools Board of Education, At-Large Seats candidate - Tim Merrick](https://ivoterguide.com/candidate/78460/race/20813/election/1206)\n- [13] [Candidate Profiles \u2013 NC Voter Guide](https://ncvoterguide.org/profiles/)\n- [14] [Tim Merrick (D) Candidate for NC House of ... - Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/nhcvote/posts/tim-merrick-dcandidate-for-nc-house-of-representatives-district-20/1225893336389574/)\n- [15] [Timothy Merrick - North Carolina Candidate - Transparency USA](https://www.transparencyusa.org/nc/candidate/timothy-merrick?cycle=2024-election-cycle)\n- [18] [Tim Merrick - Age, Phone Number, Contact, Address Info, Public Records | Radaris](https://radaris.com/p/Tim/Merrick/)\n- [19] [Timothy Merrick - Age, Phone Number, Contact, Address Info, Public Records | Radaris](https://radaris.com/p/Timothy/Merrick/)\n- [20] [TIMOTHY MERRICK, Durham, NC - PPP Loan Details](https://www.sba.com/ppp-funded-companies/north-carolina/timothy-merrick-2527424)","firstname":"Timothy","lastname":"Merrick","middlename":"Charles","suffix":null,"token":"3d854318bb3bfc93"},"token":"_oPaQjMtUDDicLpu"},{"candidatename":"Dane Scalise","chatgptsummary":null,"notes":null,"party":"REP","person":{"biography":"Dane Regis\u202fScalise is a Republican candidate for the North Carolina House of Representatives, District\u202f20, in the 2026 general election on November\u202f3,\u202f2026.  The state House is the lower chamber of the General Assembly; members draft, debate, and vote on state legislation, approve the budget, and represent the interests of their district\u2019s residents in Raleigh\u202f[1].\n\nScalise currently serves as a New\u202fHanover County Commissioner and was elected Vice\u2011Chair of the Board in December\u202f2025 after first being appointed to fill a vacancy in April\u202f2023 and then winning a full four\u2011year term in the 2024 election\u202f[14][20].  He also sits on the UNCW Board of Trustees (2025\u20112029) and holds seats on several local advisory bodies, including the Cape\u202fFear Community College Board of Trustees and the Cape\u202fFear Public Utility Authority\u202f[14][9].\n\nBorn and raised in Morganton, North\u202fCarolina, Scalise graduated from Freedom\u202fHigh\u202fSchool, earned a bachelor\u2019s degree from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, and received his Juris Doctor from the University of North Carolina School of Law\u202f[14].  He is a husband and father of two young sons, a small\u2011business owner, licensed attorney, and insurance broker\u202f[14].\n\nBefore entering elected office, Scalise worked as Deputy Commissioner of the North\u202fCarolina Industrial Commission from 2016 to 2020\u202f[16][14].  He has been active in the local business community, serving on the boards of the Wilmington Chamber of Commerce, Wilmington Downtown\u202fInc., and the New\u202fHanover County Bar Association (where he was past president)\u202f[16][14].  His civic involvement includes volunteer legal work with the Community Legal Project, Habitat for Humanity, Legal Aid of North\u202fCarolina, and other nonprofits\u202f[14].\n\nIn 2023 the New\u202fHanover County Republican Party\u2019s Executive Committee unanimously recommended Scalise to fill the vacant commissioner seat left by the late Deb\u202fHays; the Board of Commissioners appointed him on April\u202f17,\u202f2023\u202f[16][19].  He was subsequently elected to a full term in November\u202f2024, running alongside fellow Republican Bill\u202fRivenbark and defeating Democratic challengers\u202f[2][15].\n\nScalise\u2019s stated priorities as a commissioner focus on affordable housing, homelessness, responsible development, and economic growth.  He cites a $15\u202fmillion five\u2011year county investment and a $19.5\u202fmillion Endowment allocation for affordable housing, emphasizes streamlining services for the homeless, and supports balanced development that protects the county\u2019s character while addressing workforce needs\u202f[18].  He also advocates for infrastructure improvements, clean water expansion, and reducing regulatory burdens on small businesses\u202f[18].\n\nIn November\u202f2025 Scalise filed paperwork with the State Board of Elections indicating his intent to run for the open District\u202f20 seat in the North\u202fCarolina House, a seat being vacated by long\u2011time Rep.\u202fTed\u202fDavis, who announced retirement.  Davis publicly recruited Scalise to run in his place, and Scalise confirmed his candidacy via email, describing himself as a \u201cfighter in Raleigh\u201d ready to address cost\u2011of\u2011living challenges for district residents\u202f[20].\n\nIf elected, Scalise would bring his experience in county governance, business, and law to the state legislature, aiming to influence policy on housing, infrastructure, and economic development for the Cape\u202fFear region and beyond.\n\n## Sources\n- [1] [Dane Scalise - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Dane_Scalise)\n- [2] [Dane Scalise (New Hanover County Board of Commissioners, North Carolina, candidate 2024) - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Dane_Scalise_(New_Hanover_County_Board_of_Commissioners,_North_Carolina,_candidate_2024))\n- [8] [Dane Scalise for NC House (@electdane)](https://www.facebook.com/electdane/)\n- [9] [New Hanover County Commissioner Dane Scalise and ...](https://www.facebook.com/wwaytv3/posts/new-hanover-county-commissioner-dane-scalise-and-city-of-wilmington-councilman-l/1258391496289930/)\n- [14] [Dane Scalise | New Hanover County, NC](https://www.nhcgov.com/2500/Dane-Scalise)\n- [15] [A look at campaign finance reports for New Hanover County commissioner and school board candidates | WHQR](https://www.whqr.org/local/2024-08-02/a-look-at-campaign-finance-reports-for-new-hanover-county-commissioner-and-school-board-candidates)\n- [16] [NHC Republican Party recommends Dane Scalise to fill vacant county commissioner seat](https://www.wect.com/2023/04/14/nhc-republican-party-recommends-dane-scalise-fill-vacant-county-commissioner-seat/)\n- [17] [Sen. Lee, Commissioner Scalise lead fundraising efforts in NHC races ahead of November election | Port City Daily](https://portcitydaily.com/local-news/government/2024/08/01/sen-lee-commissioner-scalise-lead-fundraising-efforts-in-nhc-races-ahead-of-november-election/)\n- [18] [2024 Election candidates questionnaires: NHC Board of Commissioners candidate Dane Scalise | WHQR](https://www.whqr.org/local/2024-10-01/2024-election-candidates-questionnaires-nhc-board-of-commissioners-candidate-dane-scalise)\n- [19] [New Hanover County GOP recommends Dane Scalise to fill Deb Hays' county commission seat | WHQR](https://www.whqr.org/local/2023-04-14/new-hanover-county-gop-recommends-dane-scalise-to-fill-deb-hays-county-commission-seat)\n- [20] [Rep. Ted Davis to retire at end of current term, NHC Commissioner Scalise plans run for the seat](https://www.wect.com/2025/11/17/rep-ted-davis-retire-end-current-term-nhc-commissioner-scalise-plans-run-seat/)","firstname":"Dane","lastname":"Scalise","middlename":"Regis","suffix":null,"token":"88195a06675e7416"},"token":"IDXYQDjeUBxqszNO"}],"choices":null,"description":null,"district":null,"districtgroup":null,"districtgroupname":null,"districtname":null,"job_type":"state_representative","o.office":"state_house","office":"state_house","officedescription":"The Tennessee House of Representatives is the lower chamber of the state legislature, with 99 members elected from single-member districts to two-year terms. Representatives pass state laws, originate revenue bills, approve the state budget, and \u2014 with the Senate \u2014 confirm gubernatorial appointments and propose constitutional amendments.","officequalities":"- **Integrity** \u2014 Acts in the interest of constituents and the public good rather than for personal gain, and remains independent of undue influence from donors, lobbyists, and party leadership.\n- **Understanding of the constituency** \u2014 Grasps both the economic-development needs of the district and the day-to-day concerns of individual residents \u2014 safety, healthcare, education, infrastructure.\n- **Persuasion** \u2014 Engages, listens to, and persuades both fellow legislators and constituents. Can change minds and explain votes honestly.\n- **Legislative craft** \u2014 Reads, drafts, and amends statute with care. Understands how specific bill language translates to outcomes, and knows the body of law being modified.\n- **Coalition-building** \u2014 Finds common ground across partisan and factional lines, brokers compromises that hold, and forms working majorities even when consensus is hard to reach.","officeterm":2,"officetitle":"State Representative","partisan":1,"pgr":"general","quantity":1,"referendum":null,"source":null,"title":"Nc House Of Representatives District 020"}