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Carl Ray Russell
Office history
Current office and 2026 campaign
Carl Ray Russell, known as Ray Russell, is the Democratic candidate for Watauga County Board of Commissioners, District 2, in the November 3, 2026 general election, facing Republican Savva Kostis, according to NC State Board of Elections candidate filing records 4. He won the March 3, 2026 Democratic primary over David Luther, 607 votes to 573 (about 51 percent), per NC State Board of Elections precinct-level primary results 5. Russell has served on the Watauga County Board of Commissioners since an October 2022 appointment and previously represented Watauga and Ashe counties in the NC General Assembly's 93rd House district from 2019 to 2021 1.
Russell's 2026 campaign has focused on affordable housing, childcare availability, and school facilities -- he has called for enlarging Parkway School and replacing Hardin Park School in District 2 -- and he opposes large data-center development in the county, citing environmental and noise concerns 2.
Background and education
Russell was born on March 22, 1957, in Manchester, Tennessee 1. He earned a Bachelor of Science in computer science and religion from Freed-Hardeman College (1979), a Master of Science in mathematics from Memphis State University (1982), a Master of Science in computer science from Georgia Institute of Technology (1985), and a Doctor of Philosophy in computer science from Georgia Tech (1989) 1.
Career
Russell joined the faculty of Appalachian State University in 1991, teaching in the mathematics and later the computer science departments, until his retirement in 2021 1.
Alongside his academic career, Russell founded Ray's Weather Center (RaysWeather.com), a regional weather website covering western North Carolina 13.
In politics, Russell was elected to the North Carolina House of Representatives in 2018, defeating Republican incumbent Jonathan Jordan 52 percent to 48 percent, and represented the 93rd House district (Ashe and Watauga counties) from 2019 to 2021 1. He lost his 2020 re-election bid to Republican Ray Pickett 1. On October 4, 2022, he was appointed to the Watauga County Board of Commissioners following the resignation of Chairman John Welch 1.
Family
Russell is married to Rhonda Russell 1. He has lived in Watauga County for about 35 years 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 “Russell”.
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 “Russell”.