{"biography":"David Batts is the Democratic candidate for Edgecombe County Board of Commissioners District\u202f6 in the 2026 North Carolina elections. The district covers the western and southwestern portions of Edgecombe County, including the Kingsboro area. Commissioners on the Board set county policy, approve the budget, and oversee services such as public safety, infrastructure, and economic development. The District\u202f6 seat is elected at\u2011large within the district and, in this cycle, the Democratic primary effectively decides the office because no Republican filed for the race [1].\n\nBatts is a 69\u2011year\u2011old U.S. Army veteran and retired long\u2011time truck driver who has been active in his community. Specific details about his formal education are not provided in the available sources, but his public statements emphasize his working\u2011class background and service experience [12].\n\nBefore entering politics, Batts spent decades driving trucks, a career that gave him insight into the region\u2019s transportation and logistics challenges. After retiring, he remained engaged locally, attending community meetings and voicing concerns about development projects that could affect residents\u2019 quality of life. His veteran status is often highlighted, and he has been described as a community leader who leverages his service background to connect with voters [10][12].\n\nBatts entered the 2026 race largely on opposition to a proposed data\u2011center and crypto\u2011mining facility that the county was considering selling 120 acres of land to develop. In December\u202f2025 he addressed the Edgecombe County Board of Commissioners, warning that the Energy Storage Solutions project could bring temporary jobs, noise, air\u2011pollution, and excessive water use, and he pledged to vote \u201cno\u201d on any such development [10]. His campaign signage read \u201cVote no for data centers,\u201d making the issue a central theme of his platform.\n\nIn the March\u202f3 Democratic primary, Batts defeated four\u2011term incumbent Commissioner Donald C. Boswell, receiving 335\u2011337 votes (about 67\u202f% of the total) to Boswell\u2019s 162 votes (approximately 33\u202f%) [10][12]. Because no Republican candidate filed, Batts is poised to become the commissioner for District\u202f6 unless a successful write\u2011in campaign emerges in the November general election. Following his victory, Batts said the win signaled voters\u2019 desire for change and a stronger stance against data\u2011center projects that he believes do not benefit the local tax base or environment [12].\n\nBatts\u2019 stated priorities include protecting the Kingsboro community from unwanted industrial development, ensuring that any future projects provide lasting jobs for residents, and promoting transparency in county decision\u2011making. He has positioned himself as a fresh voice on the Board, promising to hold officials accountable and to prioritize the health and economic well\u2011being of Edgecombe County\u2019s rural constituents.\n\n## Sources\n- [1] [David Batts (Edgecombe County Board of Commissioners District 6, North Carolina, candidate 2026) - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/David_Batts_(Edgecombe_County_Board_of_Commissioners_District_6,_North_Carolina,_candidate_2026))\n- [10] [Opposition to data centers is 'catching a fire' across North Carolina, spurring political challenges | WUNC News](https://www.wunc.org/environment/2026-04-10/opposition-to-data-centers-is-catching-a-fire-across-north-carolina-spurring-political-challenges)\n- [12] [Batts says primary win signals voters wanted change in Edgecombe County | Local News | rockymounttelegram.com](https://www.rockymounttelegram.com/news/local/batts-says-primary-win-signals-voters-wanted-change-in-edgecombe-county/article_05113e73-6976-4007-b161-ece34c7e6584.html)","campaigns":[{"contest":"county_commission_district_06","county":"edgecombe","county_count":1,"electiondate":"Tue, 03 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT","pgr":"general","state":"NC","title":"Edgecombe County Board Of Commissioners District 06"},{"contest":"county_commission_district_06","county":"edgecombe","county_count":1,"electiondate":"Tue, 03 Mar 2026 00:00:00 GMT","pgr":"general","state":"NC","title":"Edgecombe County Board Of Commissioners District 06"}],"cf_filings":[],"firstname":"David","fullname":"David Wilbert Batts","lastname":"Batts","middlename":"Wilbert","office_history":[{"campaigns":[{"contest":"county_commission_district_06","contest_title":"Edgecombe County Board Of Commissioners District 06","county":"edgecombe","county_count":1,"electiondate":"2026-11-03","office_county":"edgecombe","office_key":"county_commission","office_title":"County Commissioner","party":"DEM","pgr":"general","state":"NC"},{"contest":"county_commission_district_06","contest_title":"Edgecombe County Board Of Commissioners District 06","county":"edgecombe","county_count":1,"electiondate":"2026-03-03","office_county":"edgecombe","office_key":"county_commission","office_title":"County Commissioner","party":"DEM","pgr":"general","state":"NC"}],"county":"edgecombe","cycles":[{"general":{"contest":"county_commission_district_06","contest_title":"Edgecombe County Board Of Commissioners District 06","county":"edgecombe","county_count":1,"electiondate":"2026-03-03","office_county":"edgecombe","office_key":"county_commission","office_title":"County Commissioner","party":"DEM","pgr":"general","state":"NC"},"party":"DEM","primary":null,"term":null,"year":2026}],"office_key":"county_commission","office_title":"County Commissioner","state":"NC","terms":[]}],"summary":"David Batts, a 69\u2011year\u2011old Army veteran and retired truck driver, won the 2026 Democratic primary for Edgecombe County Commissioner District\u202f6 on a platform opposing a proposed data\u2011center.","terms":[],"token":"0b9ee41749f63280"}