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Lynn Reid Gaines
Office history
Current office and 2026 campaign
Lynn Reid Gaines (Democrat) ran for the Chatham County Board of Commissioners District 5 seat in the 2026 Democratic primary.
Gaines organized his 2026 campaign around four priorities: thoughtful and responsible growth management; affordable housing for teachers, first responders, and service workers; environmental stewardship to protect farmlands and rivers; and fully funding public schools, including teacher salary supplements.
Background and education
A lifelong Chatham County native, Gaines grew up in Bonlee and graduated from Chatham Central High School in 1975.
Career
Gaines served 16 years on the Goldston Town Board, navigating local governance challenges including the town's sewer project. He has since retired from that role and works as a driving school instructor traveling throughout Chatham County.
Family
Married to Sue for more than 48 years; the couple has granddaughters representing the third generation of the Gaines family attending Bonlee Elementary School.
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 “Gaines”.
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 “Gaines”.