Gary Dale Hartong

Gary Hartong is the Republican candidate for an at‑large seat on the Wake County Board of Commissioners in the 2026 general election. The Republican primary was canceled, so Hartong advanced to the November 3, 2026 ballot alongside fellow Republican Kyle Stogoski and Democrats Christine Kushner and Mona Singh ¹.

Hartong grew up in North Carolina, earning his high‑school diploma from Hoover High School before attending North Carolina State University, where he received a bachelor’s degree in engineering in 1998 and a master’s degree in 2009 ¹. He is a licensed professional engineer (PE) and has spent more than 25 years in civil and environmental engineering, rising from an intern to become President of The Wooten Company, a leading North Carolina engineering firm that delivers water, sewer, and community‑infrastructure projects ¹⁰.

Beyond his private‑sector work, Hartong has held leadership roles in the engineering profession. He has served on the Board of Directors for the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) nationally and for ACEC North Carolina, where he participated in legislative advocacy for long‑term infrastructure investment ¹. Locally, he chaired and vice‑chaired the Town of Wake Forest Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Resources Advisory Board, contributing to community planning and greenway projects such as the 2022 Wake Forest bond referendum for trail improvements ¹¹².

Hartong’s campaign platform emphasizes four pillars: innovative infrastructure, fiscal conservancy, modern safe schools, and a strong business climate. He argues that Wake County’s 12 municipalities, state agencies, and developers must coordinate strategic, data‑driven capital planning to keep roads, water, sewer, parks, buildings, and broadband services reliable and future‑ready ¹⁰. He also calls for proactive investment to address a $200 million deferred HVAC maintenance backlog and recent school closures, aiming to modernize facilities while controlling long‑term operating costs ¹⁰. Finally, he promotes policies that support small‑business growth and protect taxpayers’ dollars, positioning the county for sustained economic vitality ¹⁰.

Hartong is married with four daughters—three graduates of Wake County Public Schools and one current student—and two dogs. He has lived in Wake County for 23 years, witnessing its rapid growth and the accompanying challenges, which he says motivate his focus on infrastructure, education, and fiscal responsibility ¹⁰.

Sources