{"biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\n\nMargie Gewirtzman is the Democratic candidate for one of four open seats on the New Hanover County Board of Education in the November 3, 2026 general election [1][3]. She was one of several Democratic candidates already in the race when Port City Daily surveyed the field in December 2025 [1]. In April 2026, New Hanover County Democratic Party leaders held what they called a \"mini-primary\" -- a nominating meeting attended by more than 75 people -- at which Kristina Mercier and Gewirtzman competed for a ballot slot left open by candidate Rick Southerland; party leaders selected Gewirtzman to replace Southerland in the school board race [3].\n\n## Background and education\n\nPer her candidate questionnaire response to WHQR, Gewirtzman holds a master's degree in Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine and a bachelor's degree in Human Physiology [2]. Port City Daily describes her as new to the New Hanover County area, with a background in nonprofit work [1]. She is the mother of three children, including a child with a disability affecting his ability to process written material in a traditional classroom, and says her family's experience working with teachers and behavioral specialists to create and meet her children's individualized education programs (IEPs) over eighteen years motivated her campaign [1][2].\n\n## Career\n\nGewirtzman describes her career, in her own words to WHQR, as \"Acupuncturist (mainly advocating for my children)\" [2].\n\n## Legislative record and accomplishments\n\nGewirtzman has not previously held elected office [1]. Per her WHQR candidate questionnaire, her stated priorities include changing North Carolina's school-funding formula to properly staff for special-education and other student needs, pushing for more aggressive advocacy on EC (exceptional children) funding and support, and supporting the district's $320 million school bond [2].\n\n## Sources\n[1] [Crowded field emerges for 2026 NHC school board race: 9 candidates discuss priorities | Port City Daily](https://portcitydaily.com/latest-news/2025/12/23/crowded-field-emerges-for-2026-nhc-school-board-race-9-candidates-discuss-priorities/)\n[2] [Primary 2026: New Hanover County Board of Education primary candidate Margie Gewirtzman | WHQR](https://www.whqr.org/2026-01-30/primary-2026-new-hanover-county-board-of-education-primary-candidate-margie-gewirtzman)\n[3] [NHC Democrats pick Margie Gewirtzman to replace Southerland in school board race - WWAYTV3](https://www.wwaytv3.com/nhc-democrats-pick-margie-gewirtzman-to-replace-southerland-in-school-board-race/)","campaigns":[{"contest":"county_school_board","county":"new_hanover","county_count":1,"electiondate":"Tue, 03 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT","pgr":"general","state":"NC","title":"New Hanover County Board Of Education"},{"contest":"county_school_board","county":"new_hanover","county_count":1,"electiondate":"Tue, 03 Mar 2026 00:00:00 GMT","pgr":"general","state":"NC","title":"New Hanover County Board Of Education"}],"cf_filings":[],"firstname":"Margaret","fullname":"Margaret Ann Renn Gewirtzman","lastname":"Gewirtzman","middlename":"Ann Renn","office_history":[{"campaigns":[{"contest":"county_school_board","contest_title":"New Hanover County Board Of Education","county":"new_hanover","county_count":1,"electiondate":"2026-11-03","office_county":"new_hanover","office_key":"county_school_board","office_title":"County School Board Member","party":"DEM","pgr":"general","state":"NC"},{"contest":"county_school_board","contest_title":"New Hanover County Board Of Education","county":"new_hanover","county_count":1,"electiondate":"2026-03-03","office_county":"new_hanover","office_key":"county_school_board","office_title":"County School Board Member","party":"DEM","pgr":"general","state":"NC"}],"county":"new_hanover","cycles":[{"general":{"contest":"county_school_board","contest_title":"New Hanover County Board Of Education","county":"new_hanover","county_count":1,"electiondate":"2026-03-03","office_county":"new_hanover","office_key":"county_school_board","office_title":"County School Board Member","party":"DEM","pgr":"general","state":"NC"},"party":"DEM","primary":null,"term":null,"year":2026}],"office_key":"county_school_board","office_title":"County School Board Member","state":"NC","terms":[]}],"summary":"Margie Gewirtzman is the Democratic nominee for the New Hanover County Board of Education in North Carolina's 2026 election.","terms":[],"token":"c4172241ee4bace9"}