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Sharon Mcneill Gainey
Office history
Sharon McNeill Gainey is the Democratic member representing District 1 on the Harnett County Board of Education and is a candidate for the same seat in the November 3 2026 general election. The Board of Education oversees the Harnett County Schools system, setting policy, approving budgets, and guiding curriculum and safety initiatives for the district’s public schools.
Gainey’s public record shows she previously ran for the Harnett County Schools board in the 2022 general election, appearing on the ballot for District 1 on November 8, 2022 as the Democratic nominee [2]. While the Ballotpedia profile does not list formal education credentials, her continued involvement in local education governance suggests a background of community engagement and familiarity with school‑district operations.
Since at least 2022, Gainey has served on the Board of Education, participating in decisions that affect teachers, students, and taxpayers. The Harnett County Republican Party’s official listing confirms she is the current District 1 board member and identifies her as a Democrat [10]. In that role she has been active on issues of school safety; a 2026 WRAL article quotes Gainey discussing the importance of safety procedures and encouraging students and staff to report concerns, reflecting her advocacy for secure learning environments [12].
In the upcoming 2026 race, Gainey is campaigning to retain her seat, emphasizing continued focus on student safety, fiscal responsibility, and quality education for Harnett County families. Her prior campaign materials list a contact email (sgaineyfordistrict1boe@gmail.com) for constituents to reach her directly [2], and the county’s Board of Education contact number (910‑893‑8151) is provided for general inquiries [10].
Sources
- [1] North Carolina elections, 2026 - Ballotpedia
- [2] Sharon McNeill Gainey (Harnett County Schools school board District 1, North Carolina, candidate 2022) - Ballotpedia
- [3] Candidate Lists | NCSBE
- [7] Candidate Profiles – NC Voter Guide
- [8] Results from 2026 Candidate Filing - Carolina Forward
- [10] Elected Officials - Harnett County Republican Party
- [12] North Carolina parents concerned over school safety after Georgia mass shooting
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 “Gainey”.
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 “Gainey”.