Stacey Leonard Crouse

Stacey Leonard Crouse is the Republican candidate for Lincoln County Clerk of Superior Court in the 2026 North Carolina election, a four‑year office that serves as the district’s chief record keeper and presides over probate and estate matters [7].

Crouse grew up in Lincolnton, North Carolina, and graduated from Lincolnton High School. She earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, laying the foundation for a career in the court system [7].

Her professional experience spans more than 15 years in county clerk offices across Lincoln, Halifax, and Gaston counties. She began in the clerk’s office of her hometown before moving to other jurisdictions, and also spent four years working for a private attorney. Since 2020, Crouse has served as the district court manager for Lincoln County, overseeing daily operations and staff coordination [7].

In her campaign, Crouse emphasizes her deep familiarity with the e‑court transition, noting that the previous paper‑based system was replaced statewide after two years of work. She argues that her varied courtroom experience positions her to address operational issues, improve cross‑training, and expand services such as the estate filing office. Crouse also advocates for greater alignment between Lincoln and Cleveland County court processes to reduce confusion for the public and legal professionals [7].

Crouse describes the Clerk of Court as both a record‑keeping official and a judicial officer who manages deputies and assistants across civil, criminal, and special proceedings. She contends that the role’s partisan nature stems from the need for elected judges to issue rulings, and she seeks the Republican nomination in the March 3, 2026 primary, with early voting running February 12‑28 and absentee ballot requests due February 17 [7].

Sources

• [7] Stacey Crouse Running for Lincoln County, NC Clerk of Superior Court - Wise News Network