{"campaigns":[{"candidatename":"Randy Beaver","chatgptsummary":null,"notes":null,"party":"REP","person":{"biography":"According to the North Carolina voter file, Randal Eugene Beaver is a registered voter in Henderson County, North Carolina, registered since 2010 (16 years), with party affiliation listed as Republican [1].\n\nThe voter file shows Randal Eugene Beaver's year of birth as 1974; 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 12 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 Randal Eugene Beaver 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":"Randal","lastname":"Beaver","middlename":"Eugene","suffix":null,"token":"20bf5afbc3e5e650"},"token":"P8IRc5QX08PkzrHP"},{"candidatename":"Mary Ellen Kustin","chatgptsummary":null,"notes":null,"party":"DEM","person":{"biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\n\nMary Ellen Kustin is the Democratic candidate for an at-large seat on the Henderson County Board of Education in the November 3, 2026 general election. The race is the county's first partisan school board contest; Kustin and fellow Democrat Reid J. Barwick face Republican incumbents Shelia Dale and Alyssa Norman and Republican challenger Randy Beaver [1][2].\n\n## Background and education\n\nKustin was born and raised in Columbia, South Carolina, and now lives in Hendersonville with her husband, who works in the local school system, and their two children, who attend Henderson County Public Schools [3][6]. She holds a bachelor's degree in mathematics and master's degrees in sustainable development and conservation biology, and in public policy [4].\n\n## Career\n\nKustin has spent her career in the nonprofit sector, including as Director of Community Impact at the United Way of Henderson County [5]. She also tutors math and coaches youth sports [4].\n\n## Office history\n\nKustin first ran for the Henderson County Board of Education at-large seat in 2022 [3]. She ran again in 2024 [6]. She is running for the seat a third time in 2026 [1][2].\n\n## Sources\n[1] [Here's the final candidate list for 2026 elections - Hendersonville Lightning](https://www.hendersonvillelightning.com/four-seasons-politics/15729-elx-4.html)\n[2] [Candidates introduce themselves at Moms for America forum - Hendersonville Lightning](https://www.hendersonvillelightning.com/news/13548-candidates-introduce-themselves-at-moms-for-liberty-forum.html)\n[3] [VOTER GUIDE: School Board candidates - Hendersonville Lightning](https://www.hendersonvillelightning.com/news/12165-voter-guide-school-board-candidates.html)\n[4] [Mary Ellen Kustin platform & website | Henderson County Board of Education Member - branch.vote](https://www.branch.vote/races/2024-nc-general-election-nc-state-county-board-of-education-member-nc-county-henderson/candidates/mary-ellen-kustin)\n[5] [Mary Ellen Kustin | United Way of Henderson County](https://www.liveunitedhc.org/mary-ellen-kustin)\n[6] [Your Vote: Henderson County Voter Guide 2024 - Blue Ridge Public Radio](https://www.bpr.org/2024-10-17/your-vote-henderson-county-voter-guide-2024)","firstname":"Mary Ellen","lastname":"Kustin","middlename":"Michelle","suffix":null,"token":"bf0dc765cd33e0a8"},"token":"IbLDqX6SoWWIGxV6"},{"candidatename":"Reid J. Barwick","chatgptsummary":null,"notes":null,"party":"DEM","person":{"biography":"Reid J. Barwick is a Democratic candidate for the Henderson County Board of Education in the November\u202f3,\u202f2026 general election in Henderson, North\u202fCarolina. The Board of Education is a county\u2011level elected body that oversees public schools, sets policy, adopts budgets, and hires the superintendent, as noted among the county offices listed for the 2026 election cycle [8].\n\nBarwick is a longtime resident of Hendersonville, a grandfather of public\u2011school students, and the husband of a lifelong educator and nurse. He has worked in executive management for corporate hospitality procurement at resorts and casinos, and has held logistics and retail positions in warehouses, grocery stores, and package delivery services. His varied career gave him insight into the skills gaps he sees among young workers entering the labor market.\n\nBarwick announced his candidacy on August\u202f19,\u202f2025, emphasizing that many graduates leave high school unprepared for life beyond college. He argues that the district needs more robust vocational and trade pathways, stronger financial\u2011literacy instruction, and curricula that build practical problem\u2011solving abilities. His platform calls for expanding vocational education, integrating financial literacy, supporting teachers with needed resources, and addressing technology and AI challenges to prepare students for a changing economy [12].\n\nIf elected, Barwick says he will work to broaden career pathways for non\u2011college\u2011bound students, strengthen practical skill instruction, and ensure that every child receives a \u201cfair, safe, and well\u2011rounded education.\u201d He frames his goal as challenging the community to expect greatness from every student, not just high test scores or college admissions [12].\n\nBarwick\u2019s professional background and personal ties to education inform his focus on aligning school outcomes with local economic needs, particularly service\u2011based industries and emerging trades. His campaign seeks to give Henderson County\u2019s youth the tools to earn a living wage, contribute meaningfully to their community, and feel pride in their work.\n\n## Sources\n- [1] [North Carolina elections, 2026 - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/North_Carolina_elections,_2026)\n- [2] [United States Senate election in North Carolina, 2026 - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/United_States_Senate_election_in_North_Carolina,_2026)\n- [3] [Board of Adjustment | City of Hendersonville, NC | Official Website](https://hendersonvillenc.gov/boards-and-commissions/board-adjustment)\n- [4] [Board of Adjustment | City of Hendersonville, NC | Official Website](https://www.hendersonvillenc.gov/advisory-boards-commissions-and-committees/board-adjustment)\n- [5] [Candidate Lists | NCSBE](https://www.ncsbe.gov/results-data/candidate-lists)\n- [8] [Upcoming Election | NCSBE](https://www.ncsbe.gov/voting/upcoming-election)\n- [10] [2026 Election United States House - North Carolina - District 06 - FEC.gov](https://www.fec.gov/data/elections/house/NC/06/2026/)\n- [11] [2026 United States House of Representatives elections in North Carolina - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2026_United_States_House_of_Representatives_elections_in_North_Carolina)\n- [12] [Reid Barwick Announces Campaign for Henderson County Board of Education](https://www.myhcdp.com/post/reid-barwick-announces-campaign-for-henderson-county-board-of-education)","firstname":"Reid","lastname":"Barwick","middlename":"J","suffix":null,"token":"8cb5041fcbe022c8"},"token":"6EqGGoBiVOPJM6-F"},{"candidatename":"Alyssa Norman","chatgptsummary":null,"notes":null,"party":"REP","person":{"biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\n\nAlyssa Norman is the Republican incumbent for an at-large seat on the Henderson County Board of Education, first elected in 2022 [1]. She is running for re-election in the 2026 school board race, which for the first time is held on a partisan ballot; she and fellow Republican incumbent Shelia Dale face Democratic challengers Reid J. Barwick and Mary Ellen Kustin, and Republican challenger Randy Beaver [2].\n\n## Background and education\n\nNorman is a native and lifelong resident of Henderson County who attended Henderson County Public Schools K-12 [3]. She is the daughter of Henderson County Commissioner Daniel Andreotta [1][3].\n\n## Career\n\nNorman holds a bachelor's degree in nursing and has worked as a registered nurse in Henderson County for nine years [3]. She describes herself as \"a Christian mom of two children\" who attend Henderson County Public Schools [3].\n\n## Office history\n\nNorman ran for the Henderson County Board of Education at-large seat in 2022 and was elected with the second-highest vote total in the race, 18,971 votes (16.25%) [1][3]. She has served on the board since that election and is seeking a second term in 2026 [2].\n\n## Sources\n[1] [Egolf, Norman, Dale elected to school board - Hendersonville Lightning](https://www.hendersonvillelightning.com/news/12214-egolf-leads-school-board-race.html)\n[2] [Here's the final candidate list for 2026 elections - Hendersonville Lightning](https://www.hendersonvillelightning.com/four-seasons-politics/15729-elx-4.html)\n[3] [Henderson County School Board candidate profiles: Alyssa Norman - Yahoo News](https://www.yahoo.com/now/henderson-county-school-board-candidate-151227641.html)","firstname":"Alyssa","lastname":"Norman","middlename":"Andreotta","suffix":null,"token":"c2710afa5b1d0070"},"token":"hUCTrg-W2pvpKXze"},{"candidatename":"Shelia Dale","chatgptsummary":null,"notes":null,"party":"REP","person":{"biography":"Shelia Dale is a candidate for the Henderson County Board of Education in the November 3, 2026 general election in Henderson County, North Carolina. The Board of Education is the governing body that sets policy, approves the district budget, and oversees the operation of public schools within the county, ensuring that educational standards and student needs are met [1].\n\nDale previously sought a seat on the same board in the 2022 election cycle. She appeared on the ballot for the at\u2011large three\u2011seat race on November 8, 2022, running as a nonpartisan candidate alongside eight other contenders [1]. The election results for that race are not detailed in the available source, but her candidacy indicates prior involvement in local education governance.\n\nPublicly available records do not provide information about Dale\u2019s education, professional background, or other civic activities. The Ballotpedia entry lists only her 2022 candidacy and notes that she did not complete the site\u2019s Candidate Connection survey, which would have offered additional personal and policy details [1].\n\nFor voters seeking to contact Dale, the Ballotpedia page supplies an email address (hopeforalltimes3@gmail.com) intended for candidates to receive survey invitations and other communications [1]. No phone number or campaign website is listed, and the page includes only generic placeholder images rather than a personal portrait.\n\nDale\u2019s current campaign for the 2026 Henderson County Board of Education seat does not have a publicly posted platform in the sources reviewed. As a candidate for a non\u2011partisan school board, her role would involve collaborating with fellow board members to make decisions on curriculum, staffing, facilities, and fiscal matters that affect the county\u2019s schools [1].\n\n## Sources\n- [1] [Shelia Dale (Henderson County Schools school board At-large, North Carolina, candidate 2022) - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Shelia_Dale_(Henderson_County_Schools_school_board_At-large,_North_Carolina,_candidate_2022))","firstname":"Shelia","lastname":"Dale","middlename":"Smith","suffix":null,"token":"1b47b23deb89ff04"},"token":"OSpXXjiB6VZsuzJf"}],"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":"Henderson County Board Of Education"}