{"biography":"Ellen Claire Lamont is a candidate for the nonpartisan Watauga County Board of Education District\u202f1 seat in the 2026 primary election. The district race is listed as nonpartisan on the county\u2019s primary ballot, and the top two vote\u2011getters will advance to the November general election ballot\u202f[12][10].\n\nLamont, a Watauga County resident, says she is running to protect public schools as a public good and to ensure they serve a healthy democracy. She emphasizes the need for livable teacher wages, teacher autonomy, evidence\u2011based curricula, and increased state funding for local schools\u202f[10]. Her platform also calls for inclusive schools where all students can thrive.\n\nThe Board of Education in Watauga County is responsible for setting policy, approving budgets, and overseeing the operation of public schools. Lamont\u2019s stated priorities\u2014defending evidence\u2011based education, advocating for higher teacher pay, and securing additional state funding\u2014reflect the core duties of board members to guide curriculum decisions, manage resources, and support staff\u202f[10].\n\nIn the March\u202f3,\u202f2026 primary, Lamont was projected to win the nonpartisan nomination with 57.32\u202f% of the vote, making her one of the two candidates who will appear on the November ballot\u202f[11].\n\nNo campaign website or official contact information was found in the available sources.\n\n## Sources\n- [1] [Watauga County, North Carolina, elections, 2026 - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Watauga_County,_North_Carolina,_elections,_2026)\n- [2] [North Carolina elections, 2026 - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/North_Carolina_elections,_2026)\n- [5] [Candidate Lists | NCSBE](https://www.ncsbe.gov/results-data/candidate-lists)\n- [6] [Upcoming Election | NCSBE](https://www.ncsbe.gov/voting/upcoming-election)\n- [7] [2026 United States House of Representatives elections in North Carolina - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2026_United_States_House_of_Representatives_elections_in_North_Carolina)\n- [8] [Candidate Profiles \u2013 NC Voter Guide](https://ncvoterguide.org/profiles/)\n- [10] [2026 Primary Voter Guide: Watauga County Board of Education District 1 | Local News | wataugademocrat.com](https://www.wataugademocrat.com/news/local/2026-primary-voter-guide-watauga-county-board-of-education-district-1/article_1e67e9b8-cfc0-462a-bb8c-b81c2554a2cb.html)\n- [11] [Unofficial results for the 2026 primary election \u2013 The Appalachian](https://theappalachianonline.com/unofficial-results-for-the-2026-primary-election/)\n- [12] [Polls open Tuesday for 2026 primary election across the High Country - WataugaOnline.com](https://wataugaonline.com/polls-open-tuesday-for-2026-primary-election-across-the-high-country/)","campaigns":[{"contest":"county_school_board_district_01","county":"watauga","county_count":1,"electiondate":"Tue, 03 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT","pgr":"general","state":"NC","title":"Watauga County Board Of Education District 01"},{"contest":"county_school_board_district_01","county":"watauga","county_count":1,"electiondate":"Tue, 03 Mar 2026 00:00:00 GMT","pgr":"general","state":"NC","title":"Watauga County Board Of Education District 01"}],"cf_filings":[],"firstname":"Ellen","fullname":"Ellen Claire Lamont","lastname":"Lamont","middlename":"Claire","office_history":[{"campaigns":[{"contest":"county_school_board_district_01","contest_title":"Watauga County Board Of Education District 01","county":"watauga","county_count":1,"electiondate":"2026-11-03","office_county":"watauga","office_key":"county_school_board","office_title":"County School Board Member","party":"","pgr":"general","state":"NC"},{"contest":"county_school_board_district_01","contest_title":"Watauga County Board Of Education District 01","county":"watauga","county_count":1,"electiondate":"2026-03-03","office_county":"watauga","office_key":"county_school_board","office_title":"County School Board Member","party":"","pgr":"general","state":"NC"}],"county":"watauga","cycles":[{"general":{"contest":"county_school_board_district_01","contest_title":"Watauga County Board Of Education District 01","county":"watauga","county_count":1,"electiondate":"2026-03-03","office_county":"watauga","office_key":"county_school_board","office_title":"County School Board Member","party":"","pgr":"general","state":"NC"},"party":"","primary":null,"term":null,"year":2026}],"office_key":"county_school_board","office_title":"County School Board Member","state":"NC","terms":[]}],"summary":"Ellen Claire Lamont is a 2026 nonpartisan candidate for Watauga County Board of Education District\u202f1, focusing on teacher pay, evidence\u2011based curricula, and increased school funding.","terms":[],"token":"3e0d7f59baf6add5"}