{"biography":"Phyllis Deitrell Michaux is a Democratic candidate seeking a seat on the Catawba County Board of Commissioners in the 2026 general election. She previously appeared on the ballot for the same two\u2011seat commission in the November 5, 2024 election, running alongside Geno Baker for the Democratic nomination and competing against Republican candidates Austin Allran and Barbara Gale Beatty [1].\n\nThe Catawba County Board of Commissioners serves as the elected governing body for the county, responsible for setting policy, approving the annual budget, and overseeing a range of county services such as public safety, infrastructure, and social programs [1]. Commissioners work with county staff and community stakeholders to address local needs and ensure fiscal responsibility.\n\nMichaux is a North Carolina native who lives in Hickory. She earned a bachelor\u2019s degree in business administration, management, and operations from American InterContinental University, a master\u2019s degree in strategic leadership from Mountain State University, and a second master\u2019s degree in liberal arts and sciences from Lenoir\u2011Rhyne University [11].\n\nProfessionally, Michaux works as a research analyst and lead supervisor in the manufacturing sector, where she also coordinates community\u2011outreach programs. Earlier in her career she served as an Eligibility Specialist for the Catawba County Department of Social Services, gaining direct experience with county\u2011level service delivery and client assistance [11].\n\nHer political experience includes an unsuccessful bid for a seat on the Hickory Public Schools Board of Education in 2021, followed by her 2024 campaign for the county commission, where she was listed on the general\u2011election ballot as a Democratic candidate [11][1].\n\nMichaux\u2019s campaign platform emphasizes integrity, transparency, and inclusive service delivery. She advocates for programs that support combat veterans\u2019 mental\u2011health needs and emergency shelters, and she promotes community\u2011engagement initiatives to give diverse cultural groups and small businesses a stronger voice in county decisions. On economic issues, she backs sustainable growth paired with environmental protection, and she calls for balanced education funding to address teacher shortages and enrollment declines. Public\u2011safety priorities include a more effective local drug\u2011addiction services program, while her housing agenda focuses on affordable\u2011housing development, transitional housing for the homeless, and partnerships with lenders willing to work with low\u2011credit borrowers who have stable employment. Michaux also stresses the importance of responsive government that builds trust and confidence among all residents [11].\n\n## Sources\n- [1] [Phyllis Michaux (Catawba County Board of Commissioners, North Carolina, candidate 2024) - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Phyllis_Michaux_(Catawba_County_Board_of_Commissioners,_North_Carolina,_candidate_2024))\n- [10] [Catawba County commissioner candidates talk goals, future of county, tax rate](https://hickoryrecord.com/news/local/government-politics/elections/catawba-county-north-carolina-election-november-beatty-baker-allran-michaux/article_dda9e7b2-64b5-11ef-b9e5-1b9556faddd9.html)\n- [11] [Phyllis Michaux platform & website | Catawba County Commissioner](https://www.branch.vote/races/2024-nc-general-election-nc-state-county-commissioner-nc-county-catawba/candidates/phyllis-michaux)","campaigns":[{"contest":"county_commission","county":"catawba","county_count":1,"electiondate":"Tue, 03 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT","pgr":"general","state":"NC","title":"Catawba County Board Of Commissioners"}],"cf_filings":[],"firstname":"Phyllis","fullname":"Phyllis Deitrell Michaux","lastname":"Michaux","middlename":"Deitrell","office_history":[{"campaigns":[{"contest":"county_commission","contest_title":"Catawba County Board Of Commissioners","county":"catawba","county_count":1,"electiondate":"2026-11-03","office_county":"catawba","office_key":"county_commission","office_title":"County Commissioner","party":"DEM","pgr":"general","state":"NC"}],"county":"catawba","cycles":[{"general":{"contest":"county_commission","contest_title":"Catawba County Board Of Commissioners","county":"catawba","county_count":1,"electiondate":"2026-11-03","office_county":"catawba","office_key":"county_commission","office_title":"County Commissioner","party":"DEM","pgr":"general","state":"NC"},"party":"DEM","primary":null,"term":null,"year":2026}],"office_key":"county_commission","office_title":"County Commissioner","state":"NC","terms":[]}],"summary":"Phyllis Deitrell Michaux is a Democratic candidate for the Catawba County Board of Commissioners, emphasizing transparent governance and community\u2011focused policies.","terms":[],"token":"78c741d5f61eef07"}