George R Dunlap

George R. Dunlap is the incumbent Democratic commissioner for District 3 on the Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners and is seeking re-election in the November 3, 2026 general election. The Board serves as the governing body for Mecklenburg County, responsible for setting policy, approving the county budget, and overseeing a wide range of county services ¹⁷.

Dunlap grew up in Pineville, North Carolina, and graduated from South Mecklenburg High School in 1974 ¹¹¹. He earned two associate degrees -- one in law enforcement and another in correctional science -- from Central Piedmont Community College ¹¹¹. He later completed a Bachelor of Science in criminal justice (1991) and a Master's in public administration (2003) at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte ¹¹¹⁷.

After high school, Dunlap served in the United States Marine Corps from 1974 to 1976, attaining the rank of Sergeant, and subsequently joined the North Carolina Air National Guard and Marine Reserves for an additional eleven years ¹¹. He then began a 27-year career with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department, working as a D.A.R.E. officer and directing youth programs through the Police Athletic League ¹¹⁷.

Dunlap entered elected office in 2005 when he was elected to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg School Board, representing District 3 for fourteen years. On the school board he chaired the Safety Committee and served on the Policy, Finance, and Capital and Budgeting Committees, as well as the Education Foundation's Audit Committee ¹¹⁷.

In October 2008 Dunlap was appointed to the Mecklenburg County Board of County Commissioners, and he has been re-elected continuously, now serving his 17th consecutive year ⁷¹. He has held six terms as board chairman, the most recent six consecutive terms, making him the first district-elected commissioner to serve as chairman ⁷¹¹. He also serves as vice-president of the National Association of County Commissioners (NACO) and chairs its Justice and Public Safety Committee, sits on the board of the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners (NCACC) and its Health and Human Services Committee, and participates on several local boards including the Arts and Science Council, Center City Partners, and University City Partners ⁷¹¹.

Dunlap won the 2024 general election with 100% of the vote (72,191 votes) after defeating primary challenger Felicia Thompkins in March 2024, and he again secured the Democratic nomination in March 2026 with 80.9% of the primary vote (14,603 votes) over Phil Carey ¹. He is on the ballot for the 2026 general election seeking another term ¹.

His campaign platform emphasizes affordable housing, economic development, community safety, and workforce preparation for students, reflecting the priorities he has highlighted on his campaign website ¹². Dunlap's long-standing involvement in faith communities, civic organizations, and public safety initiatives underscores his broader commitment to the residents of District 3 and Mecklenburg County at large ⁷¹¹.

Sources