{"biography":"Timothy Charles \"Tim\" Merrick is a Democratic candidate for the North Carolina House of Representatives, District\u202f20, on the November\u202f3,\u202f2026 general\u2011election ballot.  The North Carolina Constitution requires state House members to be at least 21\u202fyears old, a resident of the district they seek to represent, and a qualified voter in the state\u202f[1].  Merrick meets those qualifications and is also a sitting member of the New Hanover County Board of Education, a position he has held while campaigning for the state legislature\u202f[1].\n\nMerrick\u2019s public\u2011service background is rooted in education and health care.  He grew up in a family of educators\u2014his mother was a first\u2011grade teacher, his father a middle\u2011school principal, and his grandfather testified before the U.S. Supreme Court in\u202fBrown\u202fv.\u202fBoard of Education\u202f[11].  After completing a chiropractic degree (New York Chiropractic College, 1988\u20111991) he founded Alive\u202f&\u202fWell Chiropractic in 2008 and has represented the World Chiropractic Alliance at the United Nations since 2010\u202f[11].  He also spent two years living in Africa on humanitarian missions, experiences he cites as shaping his commitment to public service\u202f[11].\n\nIn addition to his health\u2011care practice, Merrick has operated a small business for more than four decades, describing himself as a \u201cbuyer\u2019s agent\u201d and \u201csmall\u2011business owner\u201d who understands budgeting, team leadership, and community investment\u202f[11].  His elected role on the New Hanover County Board of Education has given him direct experience overseeing public\u2011school policy, budgeting, and community engagement in one of the state\u2019s largest school districts\u202f[1].\n\nMerrick\u2019s campaign platform emphasizes four pillars: (1) a thriving, affordable North Carolina that raises wages, supports local businesses, and reduces health\u2011care costs; (2) balanced, responsible growth that protects neighborhoods and the environment; (3) expanded opportunity for all through investment in public schools, small\u2011business development, and infrastructure; and (4) protection of essential services such as fully funded education, clean water, and affordable health care\u202f[11].  He positions himself as a champion for strong public schools, accessible health care, clean water, and responsible development, arguing that these are the foundations of a healthy community.\n\nFinancial disclosures for the 2024\u20112025 cycle show Merrick raised roughly $48,600 and spent $46,200, with contributions from individuals and small\u2011business owners and expenditures on marketing, media, and campaign operations\u202f[15].  While he has not yet completed Ballotpedia\u2019s Candidate Connection survey, the campaign\u2019s website provides a contact email (tim@electtimmerrick.com) for voters and supporters\u202f[1].\n\nIf elected, Merrick would bring his experience as a health\u2011care professional, small\u2011business operator, and education board member to the state legislature, aiming to shape policy that supports families, strengthens schools, and promotes sustainable economic growth in District\u202f20 and across North Carolina.\n\n## Sources\n- [1] [Tim Merrick - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Tim_Merrick)\n- [2] [North Carolina elections, 2026 - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/North_Carolina_elections,_2026)\n- [3] [United States Senate election in North Carolina, 2026 - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/United_States_Senate_election_in_North_Carolina,_2026)\n- [4] [North Carolina House of Representatives elections, 2026 - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/North_Carolina_House_of_Representatives_elections,_2026)\n- [6] [Candidate Lists | NCSBE](https://www.ncsbe.gov/results-data/candidate-lists)\n- [7] [Upcoming Election | NCSBE](https://www.ncsbe.gov/voting/upcoming-election)\n- [10] [2026 United States Senate election in North Carolina - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2026_United_States_Senate_election_in_North_Carolina)\n- [11] [Elect Tim Merrick | Elect Tim Merrick](https://electtimmerrick.com/)\n- [12] [Voter Guide Profile for NC New Hanover County Schools Board of Education, At-Large Seats candidate - Tim Merrick](https://ivoterguide.com/candidate/78460/race/20813/election/1206)\n- [13] [Candidate Profiles \u2013 NC Voter Guide](https://ncvoterguide.org/profiles/)\n- [14] [Tim Merrick (D) Candidate for NC House of ... - Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/nhcvote/posts/tim-merrick-dcandidate-for-nc-house-of-representatives-district-20/1225893336389574/)\n- [15] [Timothy Merrick - North Carolina Candidate - Transparency USA](https://www.transparencyusa.org/nc/candidate/timothy-merrick?cycle=2024-election-cycle)\n- [18] [Tim Merrick - Age, Phone Number, Contact, Address Info, Public Records | Radaris](https://radaris.com/p/Tim/Merrick/)\n- [19] [Timothy Merrick - Age, Phone Number, Contact, Address Info, Public Records | Radaris](https://radaris.com/p/Timothy/Merrick/)\n- [20] [TIMOTHY MERRICK, Durham, NC - PPP Loan Details](https://www.sba.com/ppp-funded-companies/north-carolina/timothy-merrick-2527424)","campaigns":[{"contest":"state_house_020","county":"new_hanover","county_count":1,"electiondate":"Tue, 03 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT","pgr":"general","state":"NC","title":"Nc House Of Representatives District 020"}],"cf_filings":[],"firstname":"Timothy","fullname":"Timothy Charles Merrick","lastname":"Merrick","middlename":"Charles","office_history":[{"campaigns":[{"contest":"state_house_020","contest_title":"Nc House Of Representatives District 020","county":"new_hanover","county_count":1,"electiondate":"2026-11-03","office_county":null,"office_key":"state_house","office_title":"State Representative","party":"DEM","pgr":"general","state":"NC"}],"county":null,"cycles":[{"general":{"contest":"state_house_020","contest_title":"Nc House Of Representatives District 020","county":"new_hanover","county_count":1,"electiondate":"2026-11-03","office_county":null,"office_key":"state_house","office_title":"State Representative","party":"DEM","pgr":"general","state":"NC"},"party":"DEM","primary":null,"term":null,"year":2026}],"office_key":"state_house","office_title":"State Representative","state":"NC","terms":[]}],"summary":"Tim Merrick, a New Hanover County Board of Education member, is the Democratic candidate for North Carolina House District\u202f20 in 2026.","terms":[],"token":"3d854318bb3bfc93"}