{"campaigns":[{"candidatename":"LeShonda Wallace","chatgptsummary":null,"notes":null,"party":"DEM","person":{"biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\n\nLeShonda Wallace is a Democratic candidate seeking election to the New Hanover County Board of Commissioners in 2026 [1]. She filed for the office during the 2026 election cycle [14]. In the March 3, 2026 Democratic primary, Wallace finished second among four candidates with 29.46% of the vote and advanced to the general election alongside incumbent Commissioner Rob Zapple (30.36%) [16]. Port City Daily described Wallace as \"a newcomer to the political field\" in its primary-night coverage [16]. In the November 3, 2026 general election, for two open seats, Wallace and Zapple face sitting board chair and Republican LeAnn Pierce, Republican challenger Richard Collier, and Libertarian Bob Drach [16].\n\nWallace has established a campaign infrastructure centered on her professional background as a healthcare provider and advocate [4]. She self-describes as a candidate whose decisions will focus on expanding healthcare access, protecting the environment, promoting economic opportunity, and strengthening the community [17]. Her platform emphasizes bringing experience in physical and mental health care to the county commission, an area she identifies as lacking in current representation [4].\n\nDuring the primary phase of the 2026 race, Wallace participated in candidate forums alongside other Democratic contenders [6]. She also engaged with local organizations, such as the Cape Fear Five Star Project, to discuss hospital care quality in the county [12]. Her campaign activities included fundraising through ActBlue and promoting her candidacy via social media platforms like Facebook [17][2].\n\n## Background and education\n\nLeShonda Wallace is a healthcare leader and advocate who holds a Doctor of Public Health degree [12]. She earned her undergraduate education at Rutgers University in 1996 and completed further studies at the University of Medicine and Dentistry NJ in 2004 [13]. Wallace is an Advanced Practice Nurse with approximately 30 years of experience in family medicine and public health [11][13].\n\nWallace is a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated [3]. She serves as the Founder and Executive Director of SEEDS of Healing and has held leadership roles such as Chair of New Hanover County\u2019s Health and Human Services Board [3][4].\n\n## Career\n\nLeShonda Wallace is an Advanced Practice Nurse and Family Nurse Practitioner with thirty years of experience in healthcare [3][11]. She holds a Doctor of Public Health degree and is certified as a Family Nurse Practitioner-Board Certified (FNP-BC) and a Fellow of the American Academy of Nurses (FAAN) [3][10]. Wallace earned her education from Rutgers University, graduating in 1996, and from the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey in 2004 [13].\n\nWallace serves as the Founder and Executive Director of SEEDS of Healing, a healthcare provider organization [3]. She also operates LeShonda Wallace, PLLC, which offers services including DOT physicals for commercial vehicle operators, youth physicals, STI screenings, and PrEP [11]. Additionally, she is affiliated with Novant Health as a Family Medicine clinician in Wilmington, North Carolina [8].\n\nDuring the COVID-19 pandemic, Wallace helped lead New Hanover County\u2019s response efforts [3]. She previously served as Chair of New Hanover County\u2019s Health and Human Services Board, an appointed civic role, not an elected office [4]. In her professional capacity, she has advocated for improvements in local hospital care and community health equity [12].\n\n## Office history\n\nLeShonda Wallace has not previously held elected office. WECT's October 2025 reporting on sitting officials eyeing the 2026 commissioner race identifies the current Wilmington City Council member in that field as Salette Andrews and the current New Hanover County Board of Education member as Judy Justice -- not Wallace [7][15]. Port City Daily's March 2026 primary coverage likewise describes Wallace as \"a newcomer to the political field\" [16]. Wallace's own prior public-service role was an appointed one: Chair of New Hanover County's Health and Human Services Board [4].\n\n## Legislative record and accomplishments\n\nLeShonda Wallace has not held elected office previously, having built her career as a healthcare provider, leader, and advocate [4]. She self-describes as bringing necessary experience and advocacy to the New Hanover County Commission, particularly in addressing gaps in physical and mental health care access [4]. As an Advanced Practice Nurse, she served as Chair of New Hanover County\u2019s Health and Human Services Board, an appointed rather than elected role [4]. Her professional background includes 30 years of experience in specialty care for adolescents, adults, women, and children, with expertise in health promotion and chronic disease management [11].\n\nWallace\u2019s policy priorities center on expanding healthcare access, protecting the environment, promoting economic opportunity, and strengthening community bonds [17]. She has advocated for improved hospital care quality in Wilmington, meeting with the Board of the Cape Fear Five Star Project to discuss these issues [12]. Her platform emphasizes that every resident deserves to live with dignity, security, and a strong quality of life [17]. During her campaign, she has participated in forums addressing various topics relevant to New Hanover County residents [6].\n\n## Business interests and wealth source\n\nLeShonda Wallace\u2019s professional background is rooted in healthcare rather than traditional business ownership or inherited wealth. She is a Family Nurse Practitioner with 30 years of experience [11]. Her career includes serving as an Advanced Practice Nurse who helped lead New Hanover County\u2019s COVID-19 response [3]. She currently practices at Novant Health and maintains a private practice, LeShonda Wallace, PLLC, which offers services such as DOT physicals and STI screenings [8][11].\n\nWallace is the Founder and Executive Director of SEEDS of Healing [3]. Her financial disclosures for the 2026 campaign primarily reflect her income from these healthcare roles. She utilizes ActBlue to manage campaign contributions, which are directed toward her bid for New Hanover County Commissioner [17]. There is no public record in the provided sources indicating significant business sales, family wealth sources, or ownership stakes in non-healthcare enterprises.\n\n## Sources\n[1] [LeShonda Wallace (New Hanover County Board of Commissioners, North Carolina, candidate 2026) - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/LeShonda_Wallace_(New_Hanover_County_Board_of_Commissioners,_North_Carolina,_candidate_2026))\n[2] [LeShonda Wallace (D) Candidate for New Hanover ...](https://www.facebook.com/nhcvote/posts/leshonda-wallace-dcandidate-for-new-hanover-county-commissioner/1214877887491119/)\n[3] [Meet Dr. LeShonda Wallace, 2026 Finer Womanhood ...](https://www.facebook.com/portcityzetas/videos/meet-dr-leshonda-wallace-2026-finer-womanhood-award-recipient-a-healthcare-leade/1445143600470756/)\n[4] [HOME | Wallace4Community](https://www.wallace4community.com/)\n[5] [Primary 2026: New Hanover County Board of Commissioners primary candidate LeShonda Wallace | WHQR](https://www.whqr.org/2026-01-29/primary-2026-new-hanover-county-board-of-commissioners-primary-candidate-leshonda-wallace)\n[6] [Four Democrat candidates for NHC Commissioner address variety of topics during forum - WWAYTV3](https://www.wwaytv3.com/four-democrat-candidates-for-nhc-commissioner-address-variety-of-topics-during-forum/)\n[7] [Current city council and school board members plan to run for NHC county commissioner in 2026](https://www.wect.com/2025/10/11/current-city-council-school-board-members-plan-run-nhc-county-commissioner-2026/)\n[8] [LeShonda Wallace, FNP | Family Medicine | Novant Health](https://www.novanthealth.org/pf/providers/1851403257/leshonda-wallace)\n[9] [Four candidates vying for two open democratic seats to run for NHC commissioner](https://www.wect.com/2026/03/03/four-candidates-vying-two-open-democratic-seats-run-nhc-commissioner/)\n[10] [LeShonda Wallace, PhD, FNP-BC, FAAN - Faculty Collaboration Database](https://www.med.unc.edu/oor/faculty-database/faculty-databases/leshonda-wallace-ph-d-fnp-bc-faan/)\n[11] [LESHONDA WALLACE, PLLC offers DOT physicals for CMV operators, youth physicals, STI screenings, and PrEP.](https://www.leshondawallacepllc.com/)\n[12] [Petition update \u00b7 We continue to move forward](https://www.change.org/p/demand-improvement-in-wilmington-s-healthcare-we-deserve-better/u/34243274)\n[13] [healow - LeShonda Wallace, APRN - Nurse Practitioner - Family - Book an appointment online.](https://healow.com/apps/provider/leshonda-wallace-3605987)\n[14] [A look at who filed in the 2026 tri-county elections | Port City Daily](https://portcitydaily.com/local-news/2025/12/19/look-at-who-filed-in-2026-elections/)\n[15] [Two New Hanover Co. officials eye county commissioner seats in 2026](https://www.wect.com/2025/10/14/two-new-hanover-co-officials-eye-county-commissioner-seats-2026/)\n[16] [2026 Primary Results: New Hanover County | Port City Daily](https://portcitydaily.com/latest-news/2026/03/03/2026-primary-results-new-hanover-county/)\n[17] [LeShonda Wallace \u2014 Donate via ActBlue](https://secure.actblue.com/donate/dr--leshonda-wallace-1)\n[18] [Primary results set Nov. face off for NHCO commissioner and BOE seats - WWAYTV3](https://www.wwaytv3.com/primary-results-set-nov-face-off-for-nhco-commissioner-and-boe-seats/)","firstname":"Leshonda","lastname":"Wallace","middlename":"Tequilla","suffix":null,"token":"a40dbe214d5ea2dd"},"token":"CxXi3-vL8DY03CFB"},{"candidatename":"Richard M. Collier","chatgptsummary":null,"notes":null,"party":"REP","person":{"biography":"Richard Marvin Collier is the Republican candidate for the New Hanover County Board of Commissioners in the 2026 general election. The Board serves as the county\u2019s chief policy\u2011making body, tasked with addressing county\u2011wide concerns such as rising costs of living, infrastructure needs, and quality\u2011of\u2011life pressures for residents and businesses [2].\n\nCollier has lived in Wilmington since 1997. He grew up on a farm outside Fayetteville and earned a degree in civil engineering from North Carolina State University. He has spent three decades working as a civil engineer for McKim and Creed, a firm that has delivered major projects in the region, including the Mayfaire and RiverLights developments.\n\nHis public\u2011service career began with a twelve\u2011year tenure on the New Hanover County Planning Board (2007\u20112014), where he served both as chairman and vice\u2011chairman. He currently holds a seat on the Wilmington Planning Commission, now in his third term, providing him with direct experience in land\u2011use, zoning, and long\u2011range infrastructure planning [3].\n\nIn 2025 Collier entered the non\u2011partisan Wilmington City Council race, emphasizing his problem\u2011solving background and conservative principles. He finished fifth in a field that elected four council members, gaining valuable campaign experience and reinforcing his commitment to public service [2][5].\n\nCollier\u2019s platform for the county commission draws on his engineering training and his record on planning boards. He highlights the need for fiscally responsible governance, efficient infrastructure upgrades, and policies that protect wetlands, floodplains, and the tree canopy. He advocates for modernizing roads, storm\u2011water systems, and utilities to keep pace with rapid growth, expanding sidewalks and bike paths, and improving public\u2011safety support for first responders. Collier also stresses affordable\u2011housing initiatives that align with infrastructure capacity and environmental safeguards. Throughout his statements he links his \u201cengineer\u2019s approach\u201d \u2013 studying details, seeking efficient solutions, and focusing on results \u2013 to the county\u2019s challenges [2][3][5][8].\n\nWhile he has not previously held elected office, Collier\u2019s combined experience as a civil engineer, planning board leader, and recent city\u2011council candidate positions him to address the county\u2019s budget, land\u2011use, and service\u2011delivery decisions. He frames his candidacy as a continuation of his commitment to \u201climited government, fiscal responsibility, and accountability,\u201d values he says are essential for New Hanover County\u2019s future prosperity [2].\n\n## Sources\n- [2] [Richard Collier announces candidacy for New Hanover County Commission | Port City Daily](https://portcitydaily.com/latest-news/2025/11/16/richard-collier-announces-candidacy-for-new-hanover-county-commission/)\n- [3] [City planning commissioner enters Wilmington council race | Port City Daily](https://portcitydaily.com/local-news/2025/05/07/city-planning-commissioner-enters-council-race/)\n- [5] [2025 Election Q&A: Richard Collier for Wilmington City Council | Port City Daily](https://portcitydaily.com/local-news/elections/2025/09/24/2025-election-qa-richard-collier-for-wilmington-city-council/)\n- [8] [Q&A with Wilmington City Council Candidate 2025: Richard Collier | WilmingtonBiz](https://www.wilmingtonbiz.com/government/2025/10/09/qanda_with_wilmington_city_council_candidate_2025_richard_collier/26904)","firstname":"Richard","lastname":"Collier","middlename":"Marvin","suffix":null,"token":"65a9fd1d0d257be7"},"token":"5t5Fgkz-I53GlaHz"},{"candidatename":"Rob Zapple","chatgptsummary":null,"notes":null,"party":"DEM","person":{"biography":"Rob Zapple is the incumbent commissioner seeking re\u2011election to the New Hanover County Board of Commissioners as a Democrat in the 2026 race, with the Democratic primary held on March\u202f3,\u202f2026 and the general election slated for November\u202f3,\u202f2026\u30101\u3011. \n\nZapple and his wife Michele have lived, worked, and contributed to New Hanover County for more than 22\u202fyears. He is a licensed general contractor and the owner of Rob Zapple Design and Build Inc., while Michele co\u2011owns Carolina Gymnastics Academy. The couple raised three children in the county, all of whom attended New Hanover County public schools and earned degrees from North Carolina universities\u30108\u3011. \n\nIn his public\u2011service career, Zapple serves as a County Commissioner, a role that involves setting policy, approving the county budget, and overseeing land\u2011use planning, public safety, and environmental protection. He is also active with several nonprofit organizations that serve Wilmington and the broader county, reflecting his commitment to community development\u30108\u3011\u30109\u3011. \n\nAs a commissioner, Zapple emphasizes responsible growth. He pledges to continue implementing the 2016 Comprehensive Land Use Plan to guide development and protect residents\u2019 quality of life\u30105\u3011. He prioritizes clean drinking water, air, and the protection of the river, beach, and ocean, opposing any pollutants that could harm the environment or public health\u30105\u3011. \n\nEducation is another focus; Zapple highlights that his three children were educated in the county\u2019s public schools and stresses the need for adequate funding to prepare a well\u2011educated workforce for the future\u30105\u3011. Economic growth is addressed through support for a healthy business climate, leveraging his experience as a small\u2011business owner to encourage clean\u2011industry development and job creation\u30105\u3011. \n\nZapple adopts a revenue\u2011neutral tax stance, insisting that taxpayers receive value for their contributions while maintaining essential services and infrastructure\u30105\u3011. Public safety is championed through support for effective, accountable law\u2011enforcement collaboration across city, county, and state agencies\u30105\u3011. He also advocates for responsible waste management and continued investment in the cultural arts as an economic driver for the county\u30105\u3011. \n\nIn the 2026 Democratic primary, Zapple ran alongside Salette Andrews, Judy Justice, and LeShonda Wallace for two available commissioner seats\u30101\u3011.\n\n## Sources\n- [1] [Rob Zapple (New Hanover County Board of ...](https://ballotpedia.org/Rob_Zapple_(New_Hanover_County_Board_of_Commissioners,_North_Carolina,_candidate_2026))\n- [5] [Issues \u2014 Elect Rob Zapple](https://www.electrobzapple.com/issues)\n- [6] [Candidate Profiles \u2013 NC Voter Guide](https://ncvoterguide.org/profiles/)\n- [8] [Hon. Robert Zapple | National Association of Counties](https://www.naco.org/people/hon-robert-zapple)\n- [9] [Robert Zapple - Petitions - New Hanover County Commission \u00b7 Change.org](https://www.change.org/decision-makers/robert-zapple-new-hanover-county-commission)","firstname":"Robert","lastname":"Zapple","middlename":"Alexander","suffix":null,"token":"90d8db5830310a2a"},"token":"3iegh8BsgBB94Oxh"},{"candidatename":"Bob Drach","chatgptsummary":null,"notes":null,"party":"LIB","person":{"biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\n\nRobert Davis Drach, known as Bob Drach, is the Libertarian candidate for New Hanover County Board of Commissioners in the November 3, 2026 general election. Port City Daily describes him as \"a lone Libertarian\" in the commissioner field who \"has served as chair of the North Carolina Libertarian Party and ran for state auditor in 2024\" [2]. This is his second campaign, after running for North Carolina State Auditor in 2024 as the Libertarian nominee and receiving more than 3 percent of the statewide vote [1][2].\n\nPer his campaign website, Drach's platform centers on fiscal responsibility and reducing county debt, which he says is about $1,670 per person -- more than twice neighboring Brunswick County's $690 -- and is approaching the county's self-imposed $2,200 debt-capacity cap [1]. He says developers \"should not get a free ride,\" opposes development of conservation areas, and would direct the county's roughly $1 billion Endowment fund toward paying down debt, school funding, and tax relief rather than leaving it invested [1].\n\n## Background and education\n\nPer his campaign website's listed education history, Drach earned a Bachelor of Science in Physics from the College of William & Mary (1979-1982) and a Master of Business Administration from the Stanford Graduate School of Business (1987-1989); the same page lists him as a Certified Management Accountant (CMA) and Certified Turnaround Professional (CTP) [1].\n\n## Career\n\nDrach's campaign website lists a career spanning 1985 to 2019 including the U.S. Peace Corps, Deloitte, Rain Bird Sprinkler, and HMF Express, alongside the roles teacher, consultant, director, and president, without pairing specific employers to specific roles or dates [1]. In his 2024 Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey -- a self-reported, candidate-completed questionnaire, not independently verified against a primary source -- Drach describes his own background as including chief executive, chief financial, and chief information officer titles [3].\n\n## Office history\n\nPer his own 2024 Ballotpedia candidate survey, Drach has served on his county's Board of Equalization and Review and on the board of a local nonprofit; no independent government record was located to confirm the dates of that service [3]. He ran unsuccessfully for North Carolina State Auditor in 2024 as the Libertarian nominee, drawing more than 3% of the statewide vote, per his campaign website and Port City Daily [1][2]. Ballotpedia's summary of his 2024 race lists an endorsement from the North Carolina Forward Party [3]. He has served as chair of the North Carolina Libertarian Party, per Port City Daily [2].\n\n## Sources\n[1] [Bob Drach campaign website \u2013 bobdrach.com](https://www.bobdrach.com/about-7)\n[2] [A look at who filed in the 2026 tri-county elections \u2013 Port City Daily](https://portcitydaily.com/local-news/2025/12/19/look-at-who-filed-in-2026-elections/)\n[3] [Bob Drach - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Bob_Drach) (used only as a last resort for self-described career/endorsement details -- chief-officer titles, Board of Equalization service, Forward Party endorsement -- not found on any primary or journalism source located; reflects his 2024 Candidate Connection survey, attributed in his own voice, not independently verified)\n","firstname":"Robert","lastname":"Drach","middlename":"Davis","suffix":null,"token":"a5ca31885a823953"},"token":"-fOs303RMkpDycgP"},{"candidatename":"LeAnn Pierce","chatgptsummary":null,"notes":null,"party":"REP","person":{"biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\nAmy Leann Pierce, who goes by LeAnn Pierce, is the Chair of the New Hanover County Board of Commissioners and is seeking re-election as a Republican in the November 3, 2026 general election [1]. Because only as many Republicans (Pierce and Richard Collier) filed as there were open seats, no Republican primary was held and both advanced directly to the general election [1]. They face Democratic nominees Rob Zapple, a three-term incumbent first elected in 2014, and LeShonda Wallace, who placed first and second respectively in a four-way Democratic primary held March 3, 2026 [1][2].\n\n## Background\nAccording to the North Carolina voter file, Pierce is a registered Republican in New Hanover County, registered since 1996 (30 years) [3]. The voter file lists her year of birth as 1968; North Carolina's bulk voter export publishes only birth year, not a full date [3]. Her voting history shows participation in 16 elections since 2016, most recently the March 3, 2026 primary [4].\n\n## Sources\n[1] [A look at who filed in the 2026 tri-county elections \u2013 Port City Daily](https://portcitydaily.com/local-news/2025/12/19/look-at-who-filed-in-2026-elections/)\n[2] [2026 Primary Results: New Hanover County \u2013 Port City Daily](https://portcitydaily.com/latest-news/2026/03/03/2026-primary-results-new-hanover-county/)\n[3] [North Carolina State Board of Elections \u2014 Voter Search](https://vt.ncsbe.gov/RegLkup/)\n[4] North Carolina State Board of Elections voter history file (`ncvhis_Statewide`), published at [dl.ncsbe.gov](https://dl.ncsbe.gov/)","firstname":"Amy","lastname":"Pierce","middlename":"Leann","suffix":null,"token":"6d2e62dc9de061c5"},"token":"s4JimEJc117OdbQE"}],"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":"New Hanover County Board Of Commissioners"}