Danny Lee Blanton

Danny Blanton is a Republican incumbent seeking re‑election to the Cleveland County Board of Education in the 2026 general election. The nine‑member board governs Cleveland County Schools, with members elected at‑large to four‑year staggered terms and required to be registered voters of the district, at least 21 years old, and not serving an active felony sentence [4].

Blanton’s public service began after a personal investigation into alleged financial mismanagement at Cleveland County Schools in 2009‑2011. He says his findings helped expose improper credit‑card usage, leading to tighter controls and personnel changes, and motivated his first run for the board, which resulted in his election in 2013 [9]. He was re‑elected in the 2017 at‑large race, finishing as the top Republican vote‑getter with 11.31% of the vote [4]. He again secured the Republican nomination and won the 2022 primary, defeating intra‑party challengers amid a contentious campaign that included a widely discussed Facebook post showing a “Make Kids Great Again” paddle; Blanton defended the post as a personal expression of his belief in stronger school discipline, noting that North Carolina law does not prohibit corporal punishment, though the district’s own policies do [5].

During his tenure, Blanton has served on several community and state‑level boards. He spent three years on the Rutherford‑Cleveland County Workforce Board, participated on the Department of Social Services (DSS) Advisory Board, and currently sits on the Health and DSS Governing Board. Within the school board he is a member of the Safety and Operations Committee [9]. He has consistently emphasized career‑technical education (CTE), teacher retention, and school safety, arguing that high teacher turnover harms student outcomes and that the board must work closely with county commissioners to address these issues [9].

Blanton’s platform for the 2026 race continues to focus on improving teacher stability, enhancing school safety, and restoring what he describes as disciplined learning environments. He stresses that school governance should be non‑partisan, stating, “It’s about the children, not Democrat, Republican or Unaffiliated” [9]. His record includes advocating for stricter oversight of school finances, supporting CTE programs, and participating in policy discussions on discipline and safety.

If elected, Blanton will continue to fulfill the statutory duties of a board member, which include setting policy, approving the district budget, and overseeing the superintendent, while meeting the eligibility criteria outlined by North Carolina law [4].

Sources

• [4] Cleveland County Schools elections (2017) - Ballotpedia
• [5] Rogue Republican Dirty Tricks starting up in School Board Elections!! School Board Member Dr. Danny Blanton being attacked again!! Also, expect more Dirty Tricks targeting Candidate Ronnie Grigg!!! Usual crowd suspected!!! Report and commentary by Robert A – Citizens For Good Government
• [9] Facing the voters: Danny Blanton – School Board