{"biography":"Kevin G. Thurman is the Democratic candidate for the North Carolina House of Representatives, District\u202f53, in the 2026 general election scheduled for November\u202f3,\u202f2026. The seat is currently held by Republican incumbent Howard Penny Jr.\u202f[1]\n\nA proud native of Eastern Harnett County, Thurman is the son of a public educator and a Vietnam\u2011era veteran. He attended Harnett County public schools from Harnett Primary through Triton High School, earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Duke University in 2012, and completed a Master of Public Administration at North Carolina Central University in 2016.\u202f[10][1]\n\nProfessionally, Thurman has worked for the Research Triangle Institute and for Blue Cross\u202fNC, experience he says equips him to navigate governmental policy and devise solutions for improving the state\u2019s healthcare system. He is active in his community as Vice President of the Mighty Men\u2019s Prayer Ministry and a member of the Audit & Budget Ministry at Mt.\u202fPisgah Harnett OFWB Church, where he also plays saxophone in the music ministry.\u202f[10]\n\nThurman previously ran for the same House seat in 2022 and 2024, losing both times to Howard Penny Jr. (2022: 32.9% of the vote; 2024: 37.1%). The Democratic primary for the 2026 race was canceled, allowing him to advance automatically to the November ballot.\u202f[1]\n\nHis campaign platform emphasizes economic recovery, quality public education for all, equal access to healthcare, and a broader vision to \"move North Carolina forward.\" As of now, no endorsements from Democratic or progressive organizations have been recorded.\u202f[10][11]\n\nThurman\u2019s campaign can be reached at the Committee to Elect Kevin G. Thurman, 1505 Old Stage Rd.\u202fS., Erwin, NC\u202f28339, or via email at kevingthurman@gmail.com. No public phone number is listed. The campaign website is https://www.kevinthurmanfornchouse.com/.\u202f[10]\n\n## Sources\n- [1] [Kevin Thurman - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Kevin_Thurman)\n- [10] [Kevin Thurman for N.C. House](https://www.kevinthurmanfornchouse.com/)\n- [11] [Endorsements for Kevin G. Thurman - North Carolina Democratic Party Candidate](https://bluevoterguide.org/NC/candidate_Kevin_G._Thurman/385340)\n- [12] [Candidate Profiles \u2013 NC Voter Guide](https://ncvoterguide.org/profiles/)\n- [18] [Profile for Kevin G. Thurman for NC House District 53](https://www.facebook.com/KevinThurmanforNCHouse/)","campaigns":[{"contest":"state_house_053","county":"harnett","county_count":2,"electiondate":"Tue, 03 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT","pgr":"general","state":"NC","title":"Nc House Of Representatives District 053"}],"cf_filings":[],"firstname":"Kevin","fullname":"Kevin George Thurman","lastname":"Thurman","middlename":"George","office_history":[{"campaigns":[{"contest":"state_house_053","contest_title":"Nc House Of Representatives District 053","county":"harnett","county_count":2,"electiondate":"2026-11-03","office_county":null,"office_key":"state_house","office_title":"State Representative","party":"DEM","pgr":"general","state":"NC"}],"county":null,"cycles":[{"general":{"contest":"state_house_053","contest_title":"Nc House Of Representatives District 053","county":"harnett","county_count":2,"electiondate":"2026-11-03","office_county":null,"office_key":"state_house","office_title":"State Representative","party":"DEM","pgr":"general","state":"NC"},"party":"DEM","primary":null,"term":null,"year":2026}],"office_key":"state_house","office_title":"State Representative","state":"NC","terms":[]}],"summary":"Kevin G. Thurman is the Democratic nominee for North Carolina House District\u202f53 in 2026, a Duke\u2011educated former Research Triangle Institute and Blue Cross NC professional focused on economic recovery, education and healthcare.","terms":[],"token":"897479f933fffdb8"}