{"biography":"Jerome Purdie is a Democratic candidate for the Bladen County Board of Education, District\u202f3, in the North Carolina general election scheduled for November\u202f3,\u202f2026. The Board of Education governs the county\u2019s public schools, setting policy, approving budgets, and overseeing the superintendent and school operations to ensure quality education for local students\u30101\u2020L1-L3\u3011.\n\nPurdie is a native of Bladen County who worked as an English teacher before turning to community\u2011focused nonprofit work. In 2022 he previously ran for the same Board of Education seat, appearing on the general\u2011election ballot alongside Republican challenger Keith Locklear\u30101\u2020L1-L4\u3011. Although the outcome of that race is not detailed in the sources, his continued candidacy shows an ongoing commitment to local education issues.\n\nIn 2025 Purdie founded Project\u202fUplift, a Bladen County nonprofit that awards scholarships to high\u2011school graduates from underserved areas to help them pursue post\u2011secondary education. The program, described as a three\u2011year\u2011old effort, reflects his personal experience as a former teacher and his desire to alleviate financial barriers for local students\u30108\u2020L1-L7\u3011. Recipients of the scholarship have included graduates of West\u202fBladen High School who aim to attend colleges such as UNC\u202fChapel Hill\u30108\u2020L8-L12\u3011.\n\nWhile specific details about Purdie\u2019s formal education are not provided in the available sources, his professional background as an English teacher and nonprofit founder suggests experience in both classroom instruction and community organization. His prior campaign filing for the 2022 Board of Education race is documented in the state\u2019s candidate lists, confirming his eligibility and party affiliation as a Democrat\u30101\u2020L1-L4\u3011.\n\nIf elected, Purdie would join other board members in shaping policies that affect curriculum, school safety, and resource allocation for Bladen County schools. His platform, inferred from his nonprofit work, emphasizes expanding scholarship opportunities and supporting students from low\u2011income families, aligning with the broader goals of improving educational access and outcomes in the county.\n\n## Sources\n- [1] [Jerome L. Purdie (Bladen County Board of Education District 3, North Carolina, candidate 2022) - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Jerome_L._Purdie_(Bladen_County_Board_of_Education_District_3,_North_Carolina,_candidate_2022))\n- [2] [North Carolina elections, 2026 - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/North_Carolina_elections,_2026)\n- [3] [Candidate Lists | NCSBE](https://www.ncsbe.gov/results-data/candidate-lists)\n- [5] [Upcoming Election | NCSBE](https://www.ncsbe.gov/voting/upcoming-election)\n- [6] [Candidate Profiles \u2013 NC Voter Guide](https://ncvoterguide.org/profiles/)\n- [8] [Project Uplift helps Bladen County High School graduates with scholarships](https://www.wect.com/2025/06/14/project-uplift-helps-bladen-county-highschool-graduates-with-scholarships/)\n- [9] [Obituaries for May 19, 2006](https://www.selmatimesjournal.com/news/obituaries-for-may-19-2006-9016)\n- [11] [Angela Purdue: Age, Phone Number, Aliases, Address & Records](https://www.truthfinder.com/people-search/angela-purdue/)","campaigns":[{"contest":"county_school_board_district_03","county":"bladen","county_count":1,"electiondate":"Tue, 03 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT","pgr":"general","state":"NC","title":"Bladen County Board Of Education District 03"}],"cf_filings":[],"firstname":"Jerome","fullname":"Jerome Purdie","lastname":"Purdie","office_history":[{"campaigns":[{"contest":"county_school_board_district_03","contest_title":"Bladen County Board Of Education District 03","county":"bladen","county_count":1,"electiondate":"2026-11-03","office_county":"bladen","office_key":"county_school_board","office_title":"County School Board Member","party":"DEM","pgr":"general","state":"NC"}],"county":"bladen","cycles":[{"general":{"contest":"county_school_board_district_03","contest_title":"Bladen County Board Of Education District 03","county":"bladen","county_count":1,"electiondate":"2026-11-03","office_county":"bladen","office_key":"county_school_board","office_title":"County School Board Member","party":"DEM","pgr":"general","state":"NC"},"party":"DEM","primary":null,"term":null,"year":2026}],"office_key":"county_school_board","office_title":"County School Board Member","state":"NC","terms":[]}],"summary":"Jerome Purdie, a former English teacher and nonprofit founder, is the Democratic candidate for Bladen County Board of Education District\u202f3 in the 2026 election.","terms":[],"token":"6e5bdca1a08c9951"}