{"biography":"Brittnei LaRue is a Democratic candidate for the New Hanover County Board of Education, one of four seats up for election in the November 2026 general election after winning a Democratic primary on March\u202f3,\u202f2026 with 14,726 votes (22.17\u202f%)\u30108\u2020L1-L4\u3011\u301010\u2020L13-L17\u3011. The Board of Education governs the county\u2019s public K\u201112 schools, setting policy, overseeing the budget, and guiding major initiatives such as the $320\u2011million school bond that will appear on the November ballot\u30108\u2020L22-L28\u3011. \n\nLaRue is not an incumbent; she filed to run as a newcomer in the 2026 cycle\u301012\u2020L9-L12\u3011. She holds a bachelor\u2019s degree in Foreign Languages with a concentration in Spanish\u30104\u2020L1-L2\u3011 and works as a financial professional, helping individuals and families make responsible decisions about their resources\u30101\u2020L1-L3\u3011\u30104\u2020L1-L3\u3011. As a parent of two children in New Hanover County Schools, she has personal experience with the district\u2019s challenges, including navigating an IEP process and addressing bullying concerns\u30107\u2020L1-L4\u3011. \n\nHer campaign emphasizes three pillars: SMART SCHOOLS \u2013 using resources wisely to deliver quality education for every child; TRUST & TRANSPARENCY \u2013 open decision\u2011making and clear communication; and SHARED PARTNERSHIPS \u2013 collaborative relationships among families, educators, and the community\u30101\u2020L7-L13\u3011\u30102\u2020L1-L9\u3011. Before launching her platform, LaRue conducted a county\u2011wide listening tour, meeting parents, teachers, staff, and community members to shape her priorities\u30101\u2020L4-L6\u3011\u30104\u2020L4-L6\u3011. \n\nA key policy focus is strengthening board governance policies, specifically revising policies 2127 and 2310 to clarify board member conduct, public communication, and community access, thereby improving accountability and public trust\u30104\u2020L7-L12\u3011. She also supports the upcoming $320\u2011million bond, advocating for transparent implementation and clear communication about project priorities and timelines\u30104\u2020L13-L16\u3011. \n\nThrough her financial background, LaRue argues that responsible stewardship of public dollars and transparent governance are essential to restoring confidence in the school system\u30101\u2020L1-L3\u3011\u30104\u2020L1-L3\u3011. Her campaign materials stress that listening is an ongoing responsibility, not just a campaign activity, and that collaborative leadership will help the district focus on student outcomes rather than political disputes\u30102\u2020L1-L9\u3011\u30107\u2020L5-L9\u3011. \n\nLaRue\u2019s campaign website provides additional details and a way for supporters to join the effort\u30102\u2020L1-L3\u3011.\n\n## Sources\n- [1] [Brittnei LaRue (New Hanover County Board of Education, North Carolina, candidate 2026) - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Brittnei_LaRue_(New_Hanover_County_Board_of_Education,_North_Carolina,_candidate_2026))\n- [2] [Brittnei LaRue for New Hanover County Board of Education](https://www.larueforschools.com)\n- [4] [Primary 2026: New Hanover County Board of Education primary candidate Brittnei LaRue | WHQR](https://www.whqr.org/2026-01-30/primary-2026-new-hanover-county-board-of-education-primary-candidate-brittnei-larue)\n- [5] [Brittnei LaRue | New Hanover County NAACP](https://nhcnaacp.org/author/blarue/)\n- [6] [Candidate Q & A: Primary Election for New Hanover County Board of Education](https://www.wect.com/2026/01/30/candidate-q-primary-election-new-hanover-county-board-education/)\n- [7] [Black Women\u2019s Leadership Collective North Carolina](https://caro.news/black-womens-leadership-collective-north-carolina/)\n- [8] [Four candidates win unofficial Democratic primary for New Hanover County Board of Education](https://www.wect.com/2026/03/03/six-democrats-running-four-spots-new-hanover-county-board-education-primary/)\n- [9] [Crowded field emerges for 2026 NHC school board race: 9 candidates discuss priorities | Port City Daily](https://portcitydaily.com/latest-news/2025/12/23/crowded-field-emerges-for-2026-nhc-school-board-race-9-candidates-discuss-priorities/)\n- [10] [Primary results set Nov. face off for NHCO commissioner and BOE seats - WWAYTV3](https://www.wwaytv3.com/primary-results-set-nov-face-off-for-nhco-commissioner-and-boe-seats/)\n- [11] [Primary Election: 2026: NHCS Board of Education candidate questionnaires | Port City Daily](https://portcitydaily.com/latest-news/2026/02/15/primary-election-2026-nhcs-board-of-education-candidate-questionnaires/)\n- [12] [New Hanover County school board chairman will not seek re-election](https://www.wect.com/2025/12/10/new-hanover-county-school-board-chairman-will-not-seek-re-election/)","campaigns":[{"contest":"county_school_board","county":"new_hanover","county_count":1,"electiondate":"Tue, 03 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT","pgr":"general","state":"NC","title":"New Hanover County Board Of Education"},{"contest":"county_school_board","county":"new_hanover","county_count":1,"electiondate":"Tue, 03 Mar 2026 00:00:00 GMT","pgr":"general","state":"NC","title":"New Hanover County Board Of Education"}],"cf_filings":[],"firstname":"Brittnei","fullname":"Brittnei Mary Magdalene Larue","lastname":"Larue","middlename":"Mary Magdalene","office_history":[{"campaigns":[{"contest":"county_school_board","contest_title":"New Hanover County Board Of Education","county":"new_hanover","county_count":1,"electiondate":"2026-11-03","office_county":"new_hanover","office_key":"county_school_board","office_title":"County School Board Member","party":"DEM","pgr":"general","state":"NC"},{"contest":"county_school_board","contest_title":"New Hanover County Board Of Education","county":"new_hanover","county_count":1,"electiondate":"2026-03-03","office_county":"new_hanover","office_key":"county_school_board","office_title":"County School Board Member","party":"DEM","pgr":"general","state":"NC"}],"county":"new_hanover","cycles":[{"general":{"contest":"county_school_board","contest_title":"New Hanover County Board Of Education","county":"new_hanover","county_count":1,"electiondate":"2026-03-03","office_county":"new_hanover","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":"Democratic candidate Brittnei LaRue runs for New Hanover County Board of Education, emphasizing fiscal responsibility, transparency, and community partnership.","terms":[],"token":"802d93d33e4b0e0d"}