{"biography":"Savva George Kostis is the Republican candidate seeking the District\u202f2 seat on the Watauga County Board of Commissioners in the November\u202f3,\u202f2026 general election in Watauga County, North\u202fCarolina [8]. The District\u202f2 seat is one of two electoral districts that were created by the controversial North\u202fCarolina Senate Bill\u202f759, a legislative change that re\u2011structured the county\u2019s commission and resulted in the current board being filled entirely by five Republicans [8].\n\nThe primary election to select the Democratic challenger is scheduled for Tuesday, and the winner of that contest will face Kostis in the November general election [8]. The Democratic primary features two candidates: Ray\u202fRussell, a former commissioner and small\u2011business owner, and David\u202fLuther, a firefighter and Army veteran, both of whom have highlighted affordability, child\u2011care and tenant protections as top priorities [8].\n\nAffordability and housing have emerged as the leading issues in the race, reflecting broader concerns among Watauga County voters about the cost of living and access to safe, affordable homes [8]. While the source does not provide details about Kostis\u2019s personal background, education, or professional experience, his candidacy is positioned within a political environment where the Republican\u2011controlled board has been in place since the implementation of Senate Bill\u202f759 [8].\n\nBecause no additional public records, campaign websites, or biographical statements were identified in the available source, further specifics about Kostis\u2019s career history, policy platform beyond the general party affiliation, or personal qualifications remain unavailable at this time. Voters seeking more information may need to consult future campaign communications or official filings as the election approaches.\n\n## Sources\n- [8] [Watauga Board of Commissioners' primary candidates list affordability, housing among top issues](https://www.publicradioeast.org/2026-02-27/watauga-board-of-commissioners-primary-candidates-list-affordability-housing-among-top-issues)","campaigns":[{"contest":"county_commission_district_02","county":"watauga","county_count":1,"electiondate":"Tue, 03 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT","pgr":"general","state":"NC","title":"Watauga County Board Of Commissioners District 02"}],"cf_filings":[],"firstname":"Savva","fullname":"Savva George Kostis","lastname":"Kostis","middlename":"George","office_history":[{"campaigns":[{"contest":"county_commission_district_02","contest_title":"Watauga County Board Of Commissioners District 02","county":"watauga","county_count":1,"electiondate":"2026-11-03","office_county":"watauga","office_key":"county_commission","office_title":"County Commissioner","party":"REP","pgr":"general","state":"NC"}],"county":"watauga","cycles":[{"general":{"contest":"county_commission_district_02","contest_title":"Watauga County Board Of Commissioners District 02","county":"watauga","county_count":1,"electiondate":"2026-11-03","office_county":"watauga","office_key":"county_commission","office_title":"County Commissioner","party":"REP","pgr":"general","state":"NC"},"party":"REP","primary":null,"term":null,"year":2026}],"office_key":"county_commission","office_title":"County Commissioner","state":"NC","terms":[]}],"summary":"Savva George Kostis is the Republican candidate for the Watauga County Board of Commissioners District\u202f2 seat in the 2026 election.","terms":[],"token":"19f804bb6d6f272e"}