{"campaigns":[{"candidatename":"Ronda Mays","chatgptsummary":null,"notes":null,"party":"DEM","person":{"biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\nRonda Mays is the Democratic candidate for one of three at-large seats on the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools Board of Education in the November 3, 2026 general election. The at-large seats are countywide positions that help set district policy, approve the school budget, and oversee the superintendent and district operations [1]. Mays advanced from the March 3, 2026 Democratic primary with more than 14,000 votes, finishing among the top three candidates who move on to the general election, alongside Valerie Brockenbrough and Elisabeth Motsinger [1][12].\n\n## Background and education\nMays was born in Buffalo, New York, and graduated from the Buffalo Academy for Visual and Performing Arts. She earned a bachelor's degree in 1993 and a graduate degree in 1995 from the State University of New York at Buffalo [1].\n\n## Career\nMays holds a North Carolina school social work license and has worked in the field since 1993, including as a medical social worker, lead therapist, program coordinator, and youth-detention worker [6]. For more than 25 years she has served the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County school community, holding positions including Lead Graduation Coach (2021-2022), Director of Family Engagement (2022-2023), and most recently School Social Worker & Behavioral Liaison for Stokes County Schools (2023-present) [6]. She served as president of the Forsyth County Association of Educators from 2015 to 2019 [6][12].\n\n## Office history\nMays' first run for elected office came in 2024, when she won the Democratic primary for North Carolina State Senate District 31 over Laurelyn Dossett, 5,590 votes to 4,511 [13]. She lost the general election to Republican Dana Caudill Jones, who also faced independent candidate Teresa Hopper Prizer [14].\n\n## Legislative record and accomplishments\nHer 2026 campaign platform emphasizes student-centered education, transparency, and responsible budgeting, with a focus on academic programs, expanded mental-health resources, and safe school environments [7]. She has been endorsed by Everytown for Gun Safety, the Forsyth County Association of Educators, Gun Sense Voter, and Red Wine and Blue [4].\n\n## Sources\n[1] [Ronda Mays -- Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Ronda_Mays) -- accessed 2026-07-19\n\n[4] [Endorsements for Ronda Mays -- North Carolina Democratic Party Candidate, Blue Voter Guide](https://bluevoterguide.org/NC/candidate_Ronda_Mays/526336) -- accessed 2026-07-19\n\n[6] [The Candidate -- Ronda Mays for WS/FCS Board of Education](https://vote4mays.com/the-candidate) -- accessed 2026-07-19\n\n[7] [Ronda Mays for WS/FCS Board of Education](https://vote4mays.com/) -- accessed 2026-07-19\n\n[9] [Ronda Mays -- LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/posts/ms-ronda-j-mays-314a0444_early-voting-is-taking-place-in-forsyth-and-activity-7167151666020995072-SLlq) (LinkedIn requires login; reflects a public post as of March 2026.)\n\n[12] [Candidates with ties to public education file together for state and county office -- 88.5 WFDD](https://www.wfdd.org/story/candidates-ties-public-education-file-together-state-and-county-office) -- accessed 2026-07-19\n\n[13] [Election results: Democrats Paul Lowe and Ronda Mays win their primaries for State Senate Districts 31 and 32 -- Triad City Beat](https://triad-city-beat.com/election-results-democrats-paul-lowe-and-ronda-mays-win-their-primaries-for-state-senate-districts-31-and-32/) -- accessed 2026-07-19\n\n[14] [Open Senate 31 seat pits two challengers against each other -- Winston-Salem Journal](https://journalnow.com/news/local/government-politics/elections/senate-31-challengers-dana-caudill-jones-ronda-mays-joyce-krawiec-election-2024-open-contest/article_823b51b0-873b-11ef-89ec-93d72daeff96.html) -- accessed 2026-07-19","firstname":"Ronda","lastname":"Mays","middlename":"Jean","suffix":null,"token":"8f0ee862314fb01d"},"token":"mgdYdYs25O9Lm27H"},{"candidatename":"Valerie Brockenbrough","chatgptsummary":null,"notes":null,"party":"DEM","person":{"biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\nValerie Brockenbrough is a Democratic candidate for an at-large seat on the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools Board of Education in the November 3, 2026 general election. She advanced from the March 3, 2026 Democratic primary alongside fellow Democrats Ronda Mays and Elisabeth Motsinger [1].\n\n## Background and education\nBrockenbrough earned a bachelor's degree from the Ecole Francaise d'Attache de Presse in 1996 [1]. She describes herself as a small-business owner of 20 years, the owner of Zoe b Organic, a wholesaler of baby and pet products, and a mother of three [2].\n\n## Career\nBrockenbrough first ran for office in 2024, seeking one of three Forsyth County Board of Commissioners District B seats in the Democratic primary; she advanced to the general election but finished behind the three Republican incumbents, who were re-elected with roughly 52% of the vote [2][5].\n\n## Legislative record and accomplishments\nDuring her 2026 school-board campaign, Brockenbrough has emphasized the district's $45 million budget shortfall, calling for the district to hire a chief financial officer who reports directly to the board rather than to the superintendent, more frequent finance-committee meetings, and greater transparency in budget reporting [4]. In her 2024 campaign she called for moving the district's school-bond referendum up from 2028 to 2026 and for greater investment in school buildings and emergency services [2].\n\n## Sources\n[1] [Valerie Brockenbrough -- Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Valerie_Brockenbrough) -- accessed 2026-07-19\n\n[2] [No surprises in race for seats on Forsyth County Board of Commissioners -- WS Chronicle](https://wschronicle.com/no-surprises-in-race-for-seats-on-forsyth-county-board-of-commissioners/) -- accessed 2026-07-19\n\n[3] [Endorsements for Valerie Brockenbrough -- North Carolina Democratic Party Candidate, Blue Voter Guide](https://bluevoterguide.org/NC/candidate_Valerie_Brockenbrough/530422) -- accessed 2026-07-19\n\n[4] [Meet the at-large Democrats running for WS/FCS Board of Education -- WXII 12](https://www.wxii12.com/article/wsfcs-board-of-education-at-large-democrats-budget-trust/70405528) -- accessed 2026-07-19\n\n[5] [Valerie Brockenbrough -- 2024 candidate profile, Branch.vote](https://www.branch.vote/races/2024-nc-primary-election-nc-state-county-commissioner-nc-forsyth-county-district-b-d/candidates/valerie-brockenbrough) -- accessed 2026-07-19","firstname":"Valerie","lastname":"Brockenbrough","middlename":"Lecoeur","suffix":null,"token":"666018877e742045"},"token":"UcbvKyMivP7vjpjb"},{"candidatename":"Jason Lucero","chatgptsummary":null,"notes":null,"party":"REP","person":{"biography":"According to the North Carolina voter file, Ronald Jason Lucero is a registered voter in Forsyth County, North Carolina, registered since 2020 (6 years), with party affiliation listed as Republican [1].\n\nThe voter file shows Ronald Jason Lucero's year of birth as 1977; 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 4 elections voted in since 2020, 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 Ronald Jason Lucero can reach ballotproject.org with corrections or additions.\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/)","firstname":"Ronald","lastname":"Lucero","middlename":"Jason","suffix":null,"token":"7c1905e14ae09b3a"},"token":"oHxq1ya4Dfkvolgo"},{"candidatename":"Michael Quinones","chatgptsummary":null,"notes":null,"party":"REP","person":{"biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\n\nMichael Quinones is a Republican candidate running for an at-large seat on the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools Board of Education in 2026 [1]. He self-describes as having been a classroom teacher in North Carolina for 21 years and a resident of Forsyth County for 20 years [2]. Quinones states that he entered the race to address what he characterizes as \"unprecedented financial mismanagement, ineffective leadership and lack of accountability\" by the district's central office and school board [2].\n\nQuinones lists his professional credentials as including a B.S. in social science education, an M.Ed. in curriculum and instruction, post-master\u2019s educational leadership training, National Board Certification, and North Carolina licenses in social studies for grades 6-8 and 9-12, as well as a principal license for grades K-12 [5]. He currently teaches high school economics and personal finance [5].\n\nIn the Republican primary for the board, Quinones advanced automatically to the November general election alongside two other at-large Republican candidates [4]. In campaign materials shared in May 2026, he emphasized a platform focused on asking difficult questions in public and holding school district leaders accountable [3].\n\n## Background and education\n\nMichael Quinones is a Republican candidate for the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools Board of Education [1]. He states that he has been a resident of Forsyth County for 20 years and worked as a classroom teacher in North Carolina for 21 years [2]. He currently teaches high school economics and personal finance [5].\n\nQuinones holds a Bachelor of Science in social science education and a Master of Education in curriculum and instruction [5]. He also possesses post-master\u2019s educational leadership credentials and National Board Certification [5]. Additionally, he holds North Carolina licenses in social studies for grades 6-8 and 9-12, as well as a principal license for grades K-12 [5].\n\n## Career\n\nQuinones holds a Bachelor of Science in social science education and a Master of Education in curriculum and instruction, along with post-master\u2019s educational leadership credentials [5]. He is a National Board Certified educator who has held North Carolina licenses for social studies in grades 6\u20138 and 9\u201312, as well as a principal license for grades K\u201312 [5].\n\nHe spent 21 years as a classroom teacher in North Carolina before entering the race for the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools Board of Education [2]. At the time of his candidacy, he was teaching high school economics and personal finance [5].\n\n## Office history\n\nMichael Quinones is a Republican candidate seeking election to the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools Board of Education at-large [1]. He self-describes as having served 21 years as a classroom teacher in North Carolina and holds a B.S. in social science education, an M.Ed. in Curriculum & Instruction, post-master\u2019s educational leadership credentials, and National Board Certification [5]. Quinones also holds North Carolina licenses in social studies for grades 6-8 and 9-12, as well as a principal license for grades K-12 [5].\n\nQuinones announced his candidacy for the WSFCS Board of Education in December 2025, citing concerns over financial mismanagement and leadership accountability within the district [2]. He entered the Republican primary for the at-large seat, which is scheduled to take place in the upcoming election cycle [4]. As of May 2026, Quinones has advanced automatically to the November general election as one of two at-large Republican candidates who secured enough votes to bypass the primary runoff [4].\n\nIn March 2026, a mixed election night occurred for incumbents on the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools Board of Education, where voters addressed issues related to the district's financial crisis [6]. Quinones is not an incumbent and is running in the upcoming general election to replace or join the board; his prior electoral history does not include a previous run for this specific office based on available records [1].\n\n## Legislative record and accomplishments\n\nMichael Quinones has not held elected legislative office prior to his candidacy for the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools Board of Education [1]. Consequently, there is no public legislative record of sponsored bills, specific votes, or committee assignments in a legislative body. His professional background is rooted in education, where he self-describes as having spent 21 years as a classroom teacher in North Carolina and holds a B.S. in social science education, an M.Ed. in Curriculum & Instruction, and National Board Certification [2]. He currently teaches high school economics and personal finance [5].\n\nAs a candidate for the at-large seat on the WSFCS Board of Education, Quinones has articulated policy positions focused on fiscal accountability and administrative oversight. He states that he entered the race to address what he characterizes as \"unprecedented financial mismanagement, ineffective leadership and lack of accountability\" by the district's central office and previous school board members [2]. His platform emphasizes holding school district leaders accountable and asking \"difficult questions in public\" to support students and teachers [3].\n\nQuinones advanced automatically to the November general election for the at-large seat following the primary process, which was scheduled six months prior to his campaign messaging [4]. In the context of the March 2026 school board elections, he has framed his candidacy in opposition to incumbents who survived their respective primary challenges amidst a district financial crisis [6].\n\n## Business interests and wealth source\n\nThe provided sources do not contain information regarding Michael Quinones' business interests, wealth source, ownership stakes, or financial disclosures. The available texts focus on his background as a classroom teacher and principal, his professional credentials in education, and his 2026 campaign for the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools Board of Education.\n\nNO_CONTENT\n\n## Sources\n[1] [Michael Quinones - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Michael_Quinones)\n[2] [Elect Michael Qui\u00f1ones for WSFCS BOE - Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/61585388072753/posts/after-21-years-as-a-classroom-teacher-in-north-carolina-and-a-20-year-resident-o/122097447087179602/)\n[3] [Michael Quinones for WSFCS school board - Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/61585388072753/posts/the-election-is-6-months-away-but-if-you-want-someone-who-will-ask-the-difficult/122128168521179602/)\n[4] [At-large & District 1 Republicans to automatically advance in WS ...](https://www.facebook.com/WXIIKellyKendall/videos/at-large-district-1-republicans-to-automatically-advance-in-wsfcs-board-of-educa/1227313889507732/)\n[5] [Elect Michael Qui\u00f1ones for WSFCS BOE - Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/61585388072753/posts/here-are-mikes-professional-credentialsbs-social-science-educationmed-curriculum/122112436917179602/)\n[6] [Winston-Salem Journal (NC) Author/Byline: Lisa O'Donnell - Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/WSFCSData/posts/full-articlewinston-salem-journal-ncmarch-5-2026a-mixed-election-night-for-incum/1472735064863168/)","firstname":"Michael","lastname":"Quinones","middlename":"Lee","suffix":null,"token":"cae61ab96a6f324d"},"token":"LPLoLcxw5g9ZfILe"},{"candidatename":"Elisabeth Motsinger","chatgptsummary":null,"notes":null,"party":"DEM","person":{"biography":"According to the North Carolina voter file, Elisabeth Marie Motsinger is a registered voter in Forsyth County, North Carolina, registered since 1983 (43 years), with party affiliation listed as Democratic [1].\n\nThe voter file shows Elisabeth Marie Motsinger's year of birth as 1957; 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 11 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 Elisabeth Marie Motsinger can reach ballotproject.org with corrections or additions.\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/)","firstname":"Elisabeth","lastname":"Motsinger","middlename":"Marie","suffix":null,"token":"a27c586e9bfa9220"},"token":"H2FgO2OePUPg2o4J"}],"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":3,"referendum":null,"source":null,"title":"Forsyth County Board Of Education At-Large"}