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Richard Karl Watts JR
Office history
Current office and 2026 campaign
Richard Karl Watts Jr. (Democrat) is an incumbent member of the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools Board of Education, serving at large. He is seeking a second term in 2026, having first won election in 2022.
Background and education
Watts attended Wake Forest University on nearly a full scholarship. He then became an 8th-grade social studies teacher.
Career
Watts spent more than 32 years in Forsyth County public schools as a teacher, assistant principal, and principal. He taught at Wiley Middle School, served as assistant principal at Southwest Elementary School in Clemmons, and was principal at Kimberley Park Elementary, Julian Gibson Elementary, and Winston-Salem Preparatory Academy. He was named Principal of the Year by his peers on at least two occasions. He has pastored his congregation at Rickards Chapel AME Zion Church for 36 years.
Sources
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 “Watts”.
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 “Watts”.