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Iraida Bender
Office history
Current office and 2026 campaign
Iraida "Iris" Bender is the Democratic candidate for North Carolina House of Representatives District 87 (Caldwell and Watauga counties) in the 2026 general election on November 3, 2026, according to the NC State Board of Elections candidate filing 1. She faces Republican incumbent Destin Hall, the Speaker of the NC House 1.
Background and education
Bender is a Cuban-born business owner who resides in Lenoir, North Carolina 2. She moved to the United States at age 19 and lived in Miami and Fort Lauderdale, Florida for seven years before settling in Lenoir with her husband and their two children 2. She earned a bachelor's degree while working full-time and raising a family 2.
Career
Bender founded Bender Restaurant Management LLC, which operates Taste of Havana, a Cuban restaurant in Lenoir that she opened in August 2019, where she serves as chef preparing dishes such as Cuban sandwiches and ropa vieja 2.
Sources
Public filings
Candidates and officeholders are required by law to file campaign finance reports and statements of economic interest. The sites below don't support direct links to an individual record — search by last name on each.
North Carolina — campaign finance
- State, county, and municipal candidates — all in one system — NC State Board of Elections — Committee Search. Search by last name “Bender”.
North Carolina — statement of economic interest
- Required for state-elected and many local officials — NC State Ethics Commission — Statement of Economic Interest Search. Search by last name “Bender”.