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Ronda Jean Mays
Office history
Current office and 2026 campaign
Ronda Mays is the Democratic candidate for one of three at-large seats on the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools Board of Education in the November 3, 2026 general election. The at-large seats are countywide positions that help set district policy, approve the school budget, and oversee the superintendent and district operations 1. Mays advanced from the March 3, 2026 Democratic primary with more than 14,000 votes, finishing among the top three candidates who move on to the general election, alongside Valerie Brockenbrough and Elisabeth Motsinger 112.
Background and education
Mays was born in Buffalo, New York, and graduated from the Buffalo Academy for Visual and Performing Arts. She earned a bachelor's degree in 1993 and a graduate degree in 1995 from the State University of New York at Buffalo 1.
Career
Mays holds a North Carolina school social work license and has worked in the field since 1993, including as a medical social worker, lead therapist, program coordinator, and youth-detention worker 6. For more than 25 years she has served the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County school community, holding positions including Lead Graduation Coach (2021-2022), Director of Family Engagement (2022-2023), and most recently School Social Worker & Behavioral Liaison for Stokes County Schools (2023-present) 6. She served as president of the Forsyth County Association of Educators from 2015 to 2019 612.
Office history
Mays' first run for elected office came in 2024, when she won the Democratic primary for North Carolina State Senate District 31 over Laurelyn Dossett, 5,590 votes to 4,511 13. She lost the general election to Republican Dana Caudill Jones, who also faced independent candidate Teresa Hopper Prizer 14.
Legislative record and accomplishments
Her 2026 campaign platform emphasizes student-centered education, transparency, and responsible budgeting, with a focus on academic programs, expanded mental-health resources, and safe school environments 7. She has been endorsed by Everytown for Gun Safety, the Forsyth County Association of Educators, Gun Sense Voter, and Red Wine and Blue 4.
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 “Mays”.
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 “Mays”.