[{"bio_snippet":"","biography":null,"birthdate":null,"firstname":"Steven","fullname":"Steven L. Anglin","lastname":"Anglin","middlename":"L.","suffix":null,"summary":null,"token":"7pceWAz99g"},{"bio_snippet":"Democratic candidate Surluta B. Anthony, a longtime Monroe City Council member and mayor pro tem, is running for mayor in the 2026 election.","biography":"Surluta B. Anthony is a Democratic candidate for mayor of the City of Monroe, North Carolina, in the November 3, 2026 general election. Monroe holds mayoral elections every four years, and the winner will serve as the city\u2019s chief elected official, responsible for leading municipal government and implementing council policies [16].\n\nAnthony has been a public servant in Monroe for more than a decade. She was first elected to the Monroe City Council in December 2013, becoming the first African American woman to serve on the council, and was re\u2011elected in 2023 for a second term [13][16]. She has also served as mayor pro tem since July 2024, after a council vote removed the previous mayor pro tem and installed her in that role [16].\n\nHer professional background includes service as a Probation Parole Officer with the North Carolina Department of Public Safety and work as a Field Director and Mentoring Specialist for the Girl Scouts. She has owned and published the *Ebon Courier* and holds leadership positions on the Board of Directors for Community Health Services Union County (since 2014) and on the Board of the National Black Caucus\u2011Local Elected Officials (since 2015) [13].\n\nAnthony\u2019s education includes an Associate\u2019s degree in Christian Studies from Sure Foundation and Theological Institute, a Bachelor\u2019s degree in Sociology from Pfeiffer University, and a Certificate in Early Childhood Education from Central Piedmont Community College [13][17].\n\nDuring her time on the council, Anthony has championed environmental and growth\u2011management initiatives. She has advocated for banning single\u2011use plastic bags in favor of biodegradable alternatives, a self\u2011imposed moratorium on new residential development to assess impacts on infrastructure and emergency services, and the addition of mental\u2011health professionals to the Monroe Police Department. She also supports completing a new traffic study and exploring public\u2011transport options for the city [18].\n\nAnthony emphasizes community engagement, proposing quarterly round\u2011table meetings to give residents direct access to council members and to discuss ongoing projects. She frames herself as a public servant rather than a career politician, noting her self\u2011imposed term limits and her desire to keep public service rooted in local concerns [18].\n\nIf elected mayor, Anthony would bring over a decade of council experience, a record of community\u2011focused initiatives, and a background in public safety and youth mentorship to the city\u2019s executive leadership.\n\n## Sources\n- [13] [Surluta Anthony - City Councilwoman at City of Monroe, NC | The Org](https://theorg.com/org/city-of-monroe-nc/org-chart/surluta-anthony)\n- [16] [Union County candidates emerge in the 2026 election | Ucweekly | thecharlotteweekly.com](https://www.thecharlotteweekly.com/ucweekly/union-county-candidates-emerge-in-the-2026-election/article_2a5c8643-aa03-4c28-aa3a-f72b93e909f5.html)\n- [17] [Surluta Anthony Email & Phone Number | City of Monroe, NC City Councilwoman Contact Information](https://rocketreach.co/surluta-anthony-email_197312971)\n- [18] [Anthony running for third, final term on council | Enquirer Journal | enquirerjournal.com](https://enquirerjournal.com/enquirer_journal/anthony-running-for-third-final-term-on-council/article_dc0dc367-0b0b-5188-ae19-0a1c983faab8.html)","birthdate":null,"firstname":"Surluta","fullname":"Surluta B Anthony","lastname":"Anthony","middlename":"B","suffix":null,"summary":"Democratic candidate Surluta B. Anthony, a longtime Monroe City Council member and mayor pro tem, is running for mayor in the 2026 election.","token":"48553533640d5d4f"},{"bio_snippet":"Current office and 2026 campaign Doug \"Tank\" Anthony ran as a Democratic candidate for Swain County Sheriff in the March 3, 2026 primary, one of two Democrats competing for the nomination alongside David Southards 1 . Southards won the primary with 71.46 percent of the vote to An","biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\nDoug \"Tank\" Anthony ran as a Democratic candidate for Swain County Sheriff in the March 3, 2026 primary, one of two Democrats competing for the nomination alongside David Southards [1]. Southards won the primary with 71.46 percent of the vote to Anthony's roughly 28.5 percent [2].\n\n## Career\nAnthony has been in law enforcement since July 1996, serving as a patrol officer and drug investigator [1]. He previously ran for Swain County Sheriff in 2022, when he lost to then-incumbent Sheriff Curtis Cochran; the 2026 campaign was his second bid for the office [1].\n\nAnthony's 2026 campaign emphasized selecting staff \"who want to work for you for the right reasons,\" and prioritized officer training and accountability achieved through dialogue rather than body cameras [1].\n\n## Sources\n[1] [Democrats and Republicans face off in crowded race for Swain sheriff \u2013 Smoky Mountain News](https://smokymountainnews.com/news/item/40833-democrats-and-republicans-face-off-in-crowded-race-for-swain-sheriff)\n[2] [Kirkland, Southards to face off for Swain Sheriff \u2013 Smoky Mountain News](https://smokymountainnews.com/news/item/40979-kirkland-southards-to-face-of-for-swain-sheriff)","birthdate":null,"firstname":"Troy","fullname":"Troy Douglas Anthony","lastname":"Anthony","middlename":"Douglas","suffix":null,"summary":null,"token":"ea5093af12551488"},{"bio_snippet":"William Augustus Anthony III is a District Court Judge for District 038 Seat 02 in South Carolina; the provided sources do not contain specific metadata about him.","biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\nWilliam \"Gus\" Anthony is the incumbent Republican District Court Judge for North Carolina Judicial District 38, Seat 2 (Gaston County). He filed for re-election and is unopposed on the November 3, 2026 general-election ballot [1][3].\n\n## Career\nAnthony is listed as the sitting District Court Judge for Seat 2 in Gaston County's 2025 Public Officials Directory and on the Gaston County Republican Party's roster of local officials [1][2]. Public sources located during this review did not substantiate other biographical details previously in this bio (education, military service, specific board memberships, and church roles) \u2014 those claims have been removed rather than left uncited.\n\n## Sources\n[1] [2025 Gaston County Public Officials Directory](https://www.gastongov.com/DocumentCenter/View/7328/2025-Public-Officials-Directory-PDF) \u2014 accessed 2026-07-19\n[2] [Local Officials \u2013 Gaston County Republican Party](https://gaston.nc.gop/local_officials) \u2014 accessed 2026-07-19\n[3] NC State Board of Elections, 2026 Candidate Filing List (accessed 2026-07-19)","birthdate":null,"firstname":"William","fullname":"William Augustus Anthony III","lastname":"Anthony","middlename":"Augustus","suffix":"III","summary":"William Augustus Anthony III is a District Court Judge for District 038 Seat 02 in South Carolina; the provided sources do not contain specific metadata about him.","token":"e61c33a188d8239e"},{"bio_snippet":"Peter A. Antinozzi, a biomedical scientist and Wake\u202fForest professor, is the Republican candidate for North Carolina State Senate District\u202f32 in 2026.","biography":"Peter A. Antinozzi is the Republican candidate for the North Carolina State Senate in District\u202f32 in the 2026 general election, scheduled for November\u202f3,\u202f2026. The State Senate is the upper chamber of the North Carolina General Assembly; senators draft, debate, and vote on state legislation, approve the state budget, and provide oversight of state agencies and programs. They also serve on committees that shape policy on issues ranging from education to health care and taxation.\u202f[1]\n\nAntinozzi holds a Ph.D. in biomedical sciences (also described as a Ph.D. in biochemistry from the University of Texas\u2011Southwestern, Dallas) and a B.Sc. in chemistry and microbiology. He earned his doctorate in biochemistry and has built a research career focused on genomics, personalized medicine, and the biochemistry of diabetes.\u202f[1][20]\n\nProfessionally, Antinozzi is an Assistant Professor of Internal Medicine, Genomics and Personalized Medicine at Wake\u202fForest University in Winston\u2011Salem, North Carolina. He has received the JDRF Award for research on pancreatic beta\u2011cell autoantigens and the American Diabetes Association Junior Faculty Award for work on type\u20112 diabetes genetics. His scholarly work includes publications on biochemistry and internal medicine.\u202f[20]\n\nAntinozzi first entered electoral politics in 2018, running in the Republican primary for State Senate District\u202f31. He received 4.5\u202f% of the vote, finishing behind incumbent Joyce\u202fKrawiec and Dan\u202fBarrett. The primary loss gave him experience in campaigning and highlighted his interest in state\u2011level policy.\u202f[1]\n\nHis decision to run stems from personal activism triggered by a groundwater contamination incident at his daughter\u2019s middle school in Winston\u2011Salem. The episode exposed what he viewed as inadequate governmental transparency and fiscal management, motivating him to seek office to improve public accountability.\u202f[16]\n\nAntinozzi\u2019s platform emphasizes education, health\u2011care affordability, tax reform, and fair redistricting. He advocates for open\u2011records laws for government functions, limited non\u2011medical expenditures by insurers, strengthened Certificate\u2011of\u2011Need statutes, and a transparent process for drawing legislative districts after the 2020 Census. He argues that voters, not politicians, should determine representation.\u202f[16]\n\nFor the 2026 race, the Republican primary was canceled, allowing Antinozzi to advance directly to the general election where he will face incumbent Democrat Paul\u202fLowe.\u202f[1]\n\n## Sources\n- [1] [Peter Antinozzi - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Peter_Antinozzi)\n- [16] [NC Senate District 31 GOP Candidates: Dr. Peter Antinozzi - Davie County Enterprise Record | Davie County Enterprise Record](https://www.ourdavie.com/2018/04/23/nc-senate-district-31-gop-candidates-dr-peter-antinozzi/)\n- [20] [Peter Antinozzi | Longdom Publishing SL | 12396](https://www.longdom.org/editor/peter-antinozzi-12396)","birthdate":null,"firstname":"Peter","fullname":"Peter A Antinozzi","lastname":"Antinozzi","middlename":"A","suffix":null,"summary":"Peter A. Antinozzi, a biomedical scientist and Wake\u202fForest professor, is the Republican candidate for North Carolina State Senate District\u202f32 in 2026.","token":"bcd6f83c81e372a1"},{"bio_snippet":"Per the NC voter file: REP voter in Johnston County since 2017.","biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\nMichelle Grotkin Antoine filed as the Republican candidate for Johnston County Board of Education, District 1, and faced no primary opponent. She will appear unopposed on the November 3, 2026 general-election ballot [1].\n\n## Background\nAccording to the North Carolina voter file, Michelle Grotkin Antoine is a registered voter in Johnston County, North Carolina, registered since 2017 (9 years), with party affiliation listed as Republican [2].\n\nThe voter file shows Michelle Grotkin Antoine's year of birth as 1974; NC publishes only the year of birth in its bulk voter export, so day and month are not part of the public record [2].\n\nThe voter history file shows 9 elections voted in since 2018, most recently the 2026-03-03 primary election [3].\n\nThis summary draws only from the public North Carolina voter registration and history records. No additional published biographical information was located. Voters with personal knowledge of Michelle Grotkin Antoine can reach ballotproject.org with corrections or additions.\n\n## Sources\n[1] North Carolina State Board of Elections, 2026 candidate filing list (`Candidate_Listing_2026.csv`), published at [dl.ncsbe.gov](https://s3.amazonaws.com/dl.ncsbe.gov/Elections/2026/Candidate%20Filing/Candidate_Listing_2026.csv) \u2014 accessed 2026-07-24\n[2] [North Carolina State Board of Elections \u2014 Voter Search](https://vt.ncsbe.gov/RegLkup/)\n[3] North Carolina State Board of Elections voter history file (`ncvhis_Statewide`), published at [dl.ncsbe.gov](https://dl.ncsbe.gov/)\n","birthdate":null,"firstname":"Michelle","fullname":"Michelle Grotkin Antoine","lastname":"Antoine","middlename":"Grotkin","suffix":null,"summary":"Per the NC voter file: REP voter in Johnston County since 2017.","token":"e73fd9242125c244"},{"bio_snippet":"Independent candidate for DeKalb County Commission District 1; won a court order placing him on the August 2026 ballot after his petition was initially rejected.","biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\nMatthew Antoniak is an independent candidate for one of two DeKalb County Commission seats in District 1 in the August 6, 2026 general election, running alongside Republicans Daniel Cripps and Randy Slager and independent Ceylon Taylor Jr. [1][2]. Antoniak has said he chose to run as an independent \"because I want to run as a voice for the people of my district, not a voice beholden to a party\" [2].\n\n## Documented disputes and controversies\nAntoniak's place on the ballot was secured only after litigation. His qualifying petition was initially deemed invalid by the DeKalb County Election Commission in March 2026 because it lacked his personal signature; his father, Michael Antoniak, had signed the candidate line on his behalf after, the family said, following instructions from election-office staff [2]. Administrator of Elections Dustin Estes acknowledged the office had given the family \"bad advice\" but said the petition could not be accepted after the February 19 qualifying deadline [2]. Antoniak filed a complaint in DeKalb County Chancery Court on March 23, 2026, and on April 9 Chancellor Ronald Thurman signed an agreed order finding the petition \"satisfies and comports fully with all of the statutory requisites\" and directing that Antoniak's name be placed on the August ballot; the election commission voted not to oppose the order, and litigation costs were taxed to the commission and county government [2].\n\n## Sources\n[1] [New County Mayor and Sheriff to be Elected August 6 \u2014 WJLE Radio](https://www.wjle.com/new-county-mayor-and-sheriff-to-be-elected-august-6-early-voting-begins-friday-july-17/) \u2014 accessed 2026-07-23\n[2] [Chancellor Approves Agreed Order to Place Matthew Antoniak's Name on August Ballot \u2014 WJLE Radio](https://www.wjle.com/chancellor-approves-agreed-order-to-place-matthew-antoniaks-name-on-august-ballot-for-county-commission-district-1/) \u2014 accessed 2026-07-23\n","birthdate":null,"firstname":"MATTHEW","fullname":"MATTHEW ANTONIAK","lastname":"ANTONIAK","middlename":null,"suffix":null,"summary":"Independent candidate for DeKalb County Commission District 1; won a court order placing him on the August 2026 ballot after his petition was initially rejected.","token":"htg1AZSCQY"},{"bio_snippet":"Independent candidate for Cannon County Trustee in 2026, challenging incumbent Norma Knox; former Cannon County Chamber of Commerce board member and Arts Center director.","biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\n\nNeal Appelbaum is an Independent candidate challenging incumbent Norma Knox for Cannon County Trustee in the August 6, 2026 county general election [3].\n\n## Background and education\n\nAppelbaum holds a bachelor's degree in economics and passed the Certified Public Accountant exam in his late twenties [1]. He grew up around his father's Ford dealership, purchased when Appelbaum was 12 after his father had worked for Ford Motor Company; Appelbaum has said he learned accounting, budgeting, customer service, and facility management through that family business [1]. He moved to Cannon County in 2002 [1].\n\n## Career\n\nAt the time of a 2018 campaign for Cannon County Executive, Appelbaum described more than 25 years of business experience and cited service on the Cannon County Chamber of Commerce board (six years, two as president), the Industrial Development Board (four years, two as chairman), and the Stones River Watershed Association (five years, two as president); he was also Executive Director of the Arts Center of Cannon County from 2013 to 2017 [1]. He has more recently worked as Cannon County's Deputy Finance Director, according to his LinkedIn profile (LinkedIn requires login; reflects the public profile as of July 2026) [2].\n\n## Office history\n\nAppelbaum announced a campaign for Cannon County Executive in the 2018 election [1].\n\n## Sources\n\n[1] [\"Neal Appelbaum announces for Cannon Co. Executive\"](https://www.cannoncourier.com/neal-appelbaum-announces-for-cannon-co-executive-cms-17512), The Cannon Courier, May 2, 2018 - accessed 2026-07-06\n[2] [Neal Appelbaum - Deputy Finance Director, Cannon County](https://www.linkedin.com/in/neal-appelbaum-27094519) (LinkedIn requires login; reflects public profile as of July 2026)\n[3] [\"2026 Election Field Continues to Grow\"](https://www.wbry.com/2026-election-field-continues-to-grow/), WBRY FM 107.1/1540 - accessed 2026-07-06","birthdate":null,"firstname":"NEAL","fullname":"NEAL APPELBAUM","lastname":"APPELBAUM","middlename":null,"suffix":null,"summary":"Independent candidate for Cannon County Trustee in 2026, challenging incumbent Norma Knox; former Cannon County Chamber of Commerce board member and Arts Center director.","token":"c8PehuZgnm"},{"bio_snippet":"Current office and 2026 campaign No current elected office; the District 13 seat is currently filled by Michael Whaley, who is term limited. AOL https://www.aol.com/articles/heres running shelby county commission 093138774.html Republican candidate in the primary on May 5, 2026. ","biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\n- No current elected office; the District 13 seat is currently filled by Michael Whaley, who is term-limited. ([AOL](https://www.aol.com/articles/heres-running-shelby-county-commission-093138774.html))\n\n- Republican candidate in the primary on May 5, 2026. ([Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Ed_Apple))\n- General election scheduled for August 6, 2026. ([AOL](https://www.aol.com/articles/heres-running-shelby-county-commission-093138774.html))\n- Campaign website: [edapple.com](https://www.edapple.com/)\n\n## Background and education\n- Attended Avon Elementary. ([campaign site](https://www.edapple.com/))\n- Graduated from Ridgeway High School. ([campaign site](https://www.edapple.com/))\n- University of Mississippi graduate. ([campaign site](https://www.edapple.com/))\n\n## Career\n- Founder of Apple Partners Real Estate, established in 2018. ([campaign site](https://www.edapple.com/))\n- Previously worked in capital markets at Morgan Keegan and Pacific Global. ([campaign site](https://www.edapple.com/))\n- Developer with experience in commercial and residential real estate, including assisted living, memory care, and multi-family properties. ([campaign site](https://www.edapple.com/))\n- Member of Idlewild Presbyterian Church. ([campaign site](https://www.edapple.com/))\n- Served on the boards of St. Mary's Episcopal School for girls, Pacific Global, and Medicos. ([campaign site](https://www.edapple.com/))\n\n## Office history\n- Ran for Shelby County Board of Commissioners District 13 in 2022; lost the general election to incumbent Michael Whaley with 46.3% of the vote (6,073 votes). ([Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Ed_Apple))\n\n## Family\n- Husband and devoted father. ([campaign site](https://www.edapple.com/))\n- Owns a Labrador retriever named Leo. ([campaign site](https://www.edapple.com/))\n\n## Business interests and wealth source\n\nNo statement of interest filing found as of 2026-04-25. Search the [Tennessee Ethics Commission Statement of Interest Search](https://conflict.app.tn.gov/conflict/search.htm).\n","birthdate":null,"firstname":"Ed","fullname":"Ed Apple","lastname":"Apple","middlename":null,"suffix":null,"summary":null,"token":"IKuppsewNV"},{"bio_snippet":"Current office and 2026 campaign Thomas Winsor Appleby Jr., known as Tom Appleby, is a Bat Cave, North Carolina resident who ran in the March 3, 2026 Republican primary for the Henderson County Board of Commissioners District 4 seat against incumbent Commissioner Rebecca McCall, ","biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\nThomas Winsor Appleby Jr., known as Tom Appleby, is a Bat Cave, North Carolina resident who ran in the March 3, 2026 Republican primary for the Henderson County Board of Commissioners District 4 seat against incumbent Commissioner Rebecca McCall, who was seeking a third term [1]. McCall won the primary, 7,285 votes to Appleby's 3,493 [2]; Appleby will not appear on the November 3, 2026 general-election ballot [2].\n\nAppleby did not respond to the Hendersonville Lightning's standard candidate-survey questions, instead submitting his own statement to the paper: he said he was committed to \"helping farmers and citizens,\" intended to \"re-evaluate all new projects\" because he had \"not been happy with the direction of the last four years,\" and said he had once sued to remove paid parking kiosks from downtown Hendersonville's Main Street shopping district because \"the people own the right-of-way, not mayors\" [1].\n\n## Career\nPer his own statement to the Hendersonville Lightning, Appleby holds a four-year degree in business and economics and is a licensed ginseng dealer [1]. He described himself as an outdoor enthusiast who skis, races, and hikes [1]. Referencing hurricane recovery in the Bat Cave area, he said the community had relied heavily on volunteers and that, if elected, he hoped to help secure more county assistance for it [1].\n\n## Sources\n- [1] [VOTER GUIDE: Board of Commissioners - Hendersonville Lightning](https://www.hendersonvillelightning.com/four-seasons-politics/15839-voter-guide-henderson-county-board-of-commissioners.html)\n- [2] [North Carolina State Board of Elections -- certified March 3, 2026 primary precinct-level results (results_pct_20260303)](https://dl.ncsbe.gov/index.html?prefix=ENRS/2026_03_03/)\n","birthdate":null,"firstname":"Thomas","fullname":"Thomas Winsor Appleby JR","lastname":"Appleby","middlename":"Winsor","suffix":"JR","summary":null,"token":"30d36c0f4b42048c"},{"bio_snippet":"Val Applewhite, Democrat, is the incumbent NC State Senator for District\u202f19 seeking re\u2011election in 2026.","biography":"Val Applewhite is the incumbent Democratic State Senator for North Carolina\u2019s 19th Senate District and is seeking re\u2011election in the November\u202f3,\u202f2026 general election\u202f[1][8]. The district covers most of Fayetteville in Cumberland County. As a state senator she serves on several key committees, including Appropriations on Education/Higher Education, Appropriations/Base Budget, Senate Finance, Health Care, Pensions and Retirement and Aging, and the State and Local Government Committee for the 2025\u20112026 session\u202f[1].\n\nApplewhite earned a bachelor\u2019s degree in business administration and a master\u2019s degree in political science, attending Southern New\u202fHampshire University and Strayer University\u202f[7]. She is a retired United States Air Force veteran, having served before beginning her civilian career\u202f[7][14]. After military service she entered the real\u2011estate industry, working as a broker and eventually founding Val Applewhite Real Estate and Consulting\u202f[1][18].\n\nHer first elected office was on the Fayetteville City Council, where she served from 2007 to 2011 (some sources note 2007\u20112013)\u202f[1][14]. She later ran for mayor of Fayetteville in 2013 and 2015, finishing second both times\u202f[7]. In 2022 she won the Democratic primary and general election for the State Senate, succeeding Kirk deViere and taking office on January\u202f1,\u202f2023\u202f[1][7]. She was re\u2011elected in 2024 with 62.9% of the vote, defeating Republican Semone\u202fPemberton and Libertarian Steven\u202fSwinton\u202f[1][14].\n\nDuring her first term Applewhite sponsored legislation addressing PFAS\u2011contaminated drinking water in Cumberland County, securing $15\u202fmillion and helping obtain an additional $35\u202fmillion federal grant for clean\u2011water projects\u202f[14][18]. She has been a vocal opponent of North Carolina\u2019s 12\u2011week abortion ban, voting against Senate Bill\u202f20 and sponsoring bills to protect reproductive rights, including a constitutional amendment to codify pre\u2011Roe abortion access\u202f[13][14]. Applewhite also opposes the state\u2019s Opportunity Scholarship program, arguing that taxpayer dollars should remain in public schools\u202f[13][14].\n\nIn the 2025\u20112026 session she continued work on health\u2011care access, veteran services, and economic development, including advocacy for the Interstate\u202f685 extension to boost Cumberland County\u2019s economy\u202f[10]. Her committee assignments place her at the center of budgetary decisions for education, health, and state\u2011local relations, allowing her to influence policy areas central to her district\u2019s needs\u202f[1].\n\nApplewhite\u2019s campaign emphasizes clean water, reproductive freedom, public\u2011school funding, and veteran support. She maintains a campaign website (www.valapplewhitencsenate.com) and a campaign email address (applewhiteforsenate@gmail.com)\u202f[8][18].\n\n## Sources\n- [1] [Val Applewhite - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Val_Applewhite)\n- [4] [Senator Val Applewhite - Biography - North Carolina General Assembly](https://www.ncleg.gov/Members/Biography/s/440)\n- [7] [Val Applewhite - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Val_Applewhite)\n- [8] [Vote-USA | Val Applewhite | Candidate for State Senator District 19, North Carolina | March 3, 2026 North Carolina Democratic Party State Primary](https://vote-usa.org/Intro.aspx?State=NC&Id=NCApplewhiteVal)\n- [9] [Val Applewhite - North Carolina Candidate - Transparency USA](https://www.transparencyusa.org/nc/candidate/val-applewhite)\n- [10] [Val Applewhite | BallotReady](https://www.ballotready.org/people/val-applewhite)\n- [11] [Sen. Val Applewhite | North Carolina 2025-2026 | TrackBill](https://trackbill.com/legislator/north-carolina-senator-val-applewhite/1063-26187/)\n- [13] [Val Applewhite is Pro-Choice - North Carolina Choice Tracker](https://choicetracker.org/nc/people/val-applewhite/212271104)\n- [14] [Val Applewhite maintains N.C. Senate District 19 seat](https://www.cityviewnc.com/stories/val-applewhite-maintains-n-c-senate-district-19-seat/)\n- [18] [Val Applewhite running for NC State Senate District 19 - CityView NC](https://www.cityviewnc.com/stories/nc-state-senate-district-19-val-applewhite/)","birthdate":null,"firstname":"Valencia","fullname":"Valencia Applewhite","lastname":"Applewhite","middlename":null,"suffix":null,"summary":"Val Applewhite, Democrat, is the incumbent NC State Senator for District\u202f19 seeking re\u2011election in 2026.","token":"4d0989e181757152"},{"bio_snippet":"Democratic candidate for Anderson County Commission District 3; previously county commissioner (2002\u20132006) and county trustee (2006\u20132017); now executive director of the County Officials Association of Tennessee.","biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\nRodney Archer is a Democratic candidate for Anderson County Commission, District 3, on the August 6, 2026 county general election ballot \u2014 one of three candidates competing for two available District 3 seats, alongside Republican incumbent Shelly Vandagriff and Republican challenger Shannon Gray [1]. His campaign states: \"At a time when things are pushed from the top down, I am a strong believer in local control\" [2].\n\n## Background and education\nArcher is a lifelong Anderson County resident [2].\n\n## Career\nArcher previously served as an Anderson County Commissioner from 2002 to 2006 and as Anderson County Trustee from 2006 to 2017. During his time as trustee he was recognized as the East Tennessee division's Outstanding Trustee in 2010 and was elected president of the Tennessee County Trustee's Association in November 2014 after previously serving as its secretary [3]. In April 2017 he left the trustee's office to become Executive Director of the County Officials Association of Tennessee (COAT), a position he continues to hold [3]. His campaign biography also describes him as a financial advisor [2].\n\n## Sources\n[1] [Anderson County commission candidates and field for the Aug. 6, 2026 general election](https://www.mycouriernews.com/articles/2026/04/10957/early-voting-begins-today) \u2014 Courier News, accessed 2026-07-06\n[2] [Anderson County Tennessee Election Ballot (August 2026) \u2013 County Commission Candidates](https://www.andersoncountydemocraticparty.com/august2026) \u2014 Anderson County Democratic Party, accessed 2026-07-06\n[3] [Rodney Archer](https://oakridgetoday.com/tag/rodney-archer/) \u2014 Oak Ridge Today archival coverage of his trustee tenure, 2010\u20132017, accessed 2026-07-06","birthdate":null,"firstname":"Rodney","fullname":"Rodney Archer","lastname":"Archer","middlename":null,"suffix":null,"summary":"Democratic candidate for Anderson County Commission District 3; previously county commissioner (2002\u20132006) and county trustee (2006\u20132017); now executive director of the County Officials Association of Tennessee.","token":"gARoloO4YW"},{"bio_snippet":"Larry L. Archie is a Democratic North Carolina District Court judge seeking re\u2011election in 2026, with a background in law, military service, and academia.","biography":"Larry L. Archie (also listed as Larry Laron Archie) is a Democratic North Carolina District Court judge seeking re\u2011election in the November\u202f3,\u202f2026 general election.  Ballotpedia records that he currently holds Seat\u202f2 of the 24th Judicial District, a term that began on January\u202f1,\u202f2024 and ends on December\u202f31,\u202f2026, and that he is on the ballot for that same seat in 2026\u202f[1].  Other sources list him as the incumbent judge for District\u202f18, Seat\u202f2, a position he has held through at least December\u202f31,\u202f2026\u202f[12].  The discrepancy reflects a recent redistricting that moved his judgeship from the 18th to the 24th Judicial District.\n\nArchie earned a bachelor\u2019s degree (1992) and a master\u2019s degree in health administration (1994), both cum laude, from Ohio University, followed by a master\u2019s degree in English literature (2003) from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, and a J.D. from Cleveland\u2011Marshall College of Law (1997)\u202f[1].  He also completed a master\u2019s in health administration at Ohio University, as noted by Trellis\u202f[10].\n\nBefore joining the bench, Archie served 32\u202fyears in the United States Army Reserve and the North Carolina National Guard, retiring as a lieutenant colonel and Medical Operations Officer\u202f[1][10].  He practiced law for twelve years, handling criminal, civil, family, and juvenile delinquency matters, and operated his own firm, The Law Office of Larry L.\u202fArchie\u202f[10].  He has also taught as an adjunct professor and is a North Carolina Board\u2011Certified Specialist in Criminal Law\u202f[10].\n\nArchie was first elected to the Guilford County District Court in the 18th Judicial District in 2018, defeating incumbent Jon Kreider, and was re\u2011elected in 2020\u202f[10].  As a district\u2011court judge, he presides over a broad docket that includes criminal prosecutions, civil disputes, family law matters, and juvenile delinquency cases, conducting trials, issuing rulings, and managing case flow\u202f[10].  Following the 2024 redistricting, he began serving Seat\u202f2 of the 24th Judicial District, a role he will seek to retain in the 2026 election\u202f[1].\n\nArchie\u2019s campaign filings show no listed campaign website, and he has not completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey for 2026\u202f[1].  Contact information publicly available includes the clerk\u2019s phone for the Guilford County District Court, +1\u202f(336)\u202f412\u20117800, which may be used for constituent inquiries\u202f[10].  No email address is provided in the sources consulted.\n\nOverall, Archie\u2019s background combines extensive military service, a diversified legal practice, academic credentials, and over a decade of judicial experience handling the full spectrum of district\u2011court matters in North Carolina.\n\n## Sources\n- [1] [Larry Archie - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Larry_Archie)\n- [6] [Larry Archie | North Carolina Judicial Branch](https://www.ncdrc.gov/judicial-directory/larry-archie)\n- [7] [Candidate Profiles \u2013 NC Voter Guide](https://ncvoterguide.org/profiles/)\n- [10] [Judge Larry L. Archie - Professional Background & Legal Expertise | Trellis.Law](https://trellis.law/judge/larry.l.archie)\n- [11] [Larry L Archie - North Carolina Candidate - Transparency USA](https://www.transparencyusa.org/nc/candidate/larry-l-archie)\n- [12] [Larry L. Archie | BallotReady](https://www.ballotready.org/people/larry-l-archie)","birthdate":null,"firstname":"Larry","fullname":"Larry Laron Archie","lastname":"Archie","middlename":"Laron","suffix":null,"summary":"Larry L. Archie is a Democratic North Carolina District Court judge seeking re\u2011election in 2026, with a background in law, military service, and academia.","token":"0c9d6d641f325cd5"},{"bio_snippet":"","biography":null,"birthdate":null,"firstname":"CHAD","fullname":"CHAD ARGO","lastname":"ARGO","middlename":null,"suffix":null,"summary":null,"token":"FMBUTRq5St"},{"bio_snippet":"Republican nominee for Rhea County Sheriff; a Rhea County native with 28 years in law enforcement, including 13 as a Dayton police officer and K-9 handler.","biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\nJohn Argo is the Republican nominee for Rhea County Sheriff on the August 6, 2026 county general-election ballot, facing independent candidate Jeff Hancock [1][2]. He won the May 5, 2026 Republican primary, defeating Josh Jordan 2,713 to 1,793 [1].\n\n## Career\nArgo is a Rhea County native with 28 years of experience in law enforcement [1]. He served 13 years as a City of Dayton police officer, including his last three years as a K-9 officer [1].\n\n## Sources\n[1] [Argo wins GOP nomination for sheriff - Rhea Herald-News](https://www.rheaheraldnews.com/news/article_8292cb3a-544e-4ae7-9c73-1c9d628ac7c8.html) - accessed 2026-07-24\n[2] [Decision 2026: What's on the ballot in Rhea County - Local 3 News](https://www.local3news.com/local-news/decision/decision-2026-what-s-on-the-ballot-in-rhea-county/article_892da738-9da7-432d-90c2-48cd730fd718.html) - accessed 2026-07-24","birthdate":null,"firstname":"John","fullname":"John Argo","lastname":"Argo","middlename":null,"suffix":null,"summary":"Republican nominee for Rhea County Sheriff; a Rhea County native with 28 years in law enforcement, including 13 as a Dayton police officer and K-9 handler.","token":"6puFJBjaQz"},{"bio_snippet":"Per the NC voter file: REP voter in Alexander County since 2005.","biography":"**Update: Arguelles lost the March 3, 2026 Republican primary for Alexander County Board of Education District 02, finishing second of two candidates with 226 votes to Christopher Smith's 483; he will not appear on the November 3, 2026 general-election ballot [3].**\n\nAccording to the North Carolina voter file, Robert Roger Arguelles is a registered voter in Alexander County, North Carolina, registered since 2005 (21 years), with party affiliation listed as Republican [1].\n\nThe voter file shows Robert Roger Arguelles's year of birth as 1967; NC publishes only the year of birth in its bulk voter export, so day and month are not part of the public record [1].\n\nThe voter history file shows 10 elections voted in since 2016, most recently the 2026-03-03 primary election [2].\n\nThis summary draws only from the public North Carolina voter registration and history records. No additional published biographical information was located. Voters with personal knowledge of Robert Roger Arguelles can reach ballotproject.org with corrections or additions.\n\n## Sources\n[1] [North Carolina State Board of Elections \u2014 Voter Search](https://vt.ncsbe.gov/RegLkup/)\n\n[2] North Carolina State Board of Elections voter history file (`ncvhis_Statewide`), published at [dl.ncsbe.gov](https://dl.ncsbe.gov/)\n\n[3] North Carolina State Board of Elections, official 2026 candidate filing list (`Candidate_Listing_2026.csv`) and March 3, 2026 primary precinct-level results (`results_pct_20260303`), published at [dl.ncsbe.gov](https://dl.ncsbe.gov/)","birthdate":null,"firstname":"Robert","fullname":"Robert Roger Arguelles","lastname":"Arguelles","middlename":"Roger","suffix":null,"summary":"Per the NC voter file: REP voter in Alexander County since 2005.","token":"82a112aaff636852"},{"bio_snippet":"Current office and 2026 campaign George Winston Armistead is a Republican candidate for the Beaufort County Schools Board of Education District 8 in the 2026 elections 1 . He filed his candidacy on December 1, 2025, with an address in Washington, NC 1 . He ran in the March 3, 202","biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\n\nGeorge Winston Armistead is a Republican candidate for the Beaufort County Schools Board of Education District 8 in the 2026 elections [1]. He filed his candidacy on December 1, 2025, with an address in Washington, NC [1]. He ran in the March 3, 2026 Republican primary alongside candidates Jennifer Cox Cornelius, Donald Shreve, and Phillip Paul [2].\n\n## Sources\n- [1] [2026 Beaufort County NC Election Candidates \u2013 Beaufort County Board of Elections](https://beaufortncboe.org/sites/beaufortncboe.org/files/attachments/2026-01/2026%20Beaufort%20County%20NC%20Election%20Candidates%20before%20Primary_0.pdf)\n- [2] [Dozens of Beaufort County candidates file for March primary \u2013 Washington Daily News](https://www.thewashingtondailynews.com/news/dozens-of-beaufort-county-candidates-file-for-march-primary-0a27da07)","birthdate":null,"firstname":"George","fullname":"George Winston Armistead","lastname":"Armistead","middlename":"Winston","suffix":null,"summary":null,"token":"4b2c5f02a3eab1f3"},{"bio_snippet":"Ashleigh Heath Armstrong is a data coordinator and 2026 mayoral candidate for Raleigh, NC, running in a nonpartisan four\u2011year term race.","biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\nAshleigh Heath Armstrong is a nonpartisan candidate for Mayor of Raleigh, North Carolina, on the November 3, 2026 general-election ballot, per the candidate list local advocacy group Livable Raleigh published after the December 19, 2025 filing deadline [16]. Per Ballotpedia, the race has two candidates advancing directly to the general election \u2014 Armstrong and incumbent Mayor Janet Cowell \u2014 after the primary was cancelled when only two candidates filed; Raleigh's mayoral term is four years with no term limits [1].\n\n## Sources\n- [1] [Mayoral election in Raleigh, North Carolina (2026) \u2013 Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Mayoral_election_in_Raleigh,_North_Carolina_(2026))\n- [16] [Who's Running? MAYOR: Ashleigh Heath Armstrong, Janet Cowell \u2013 Livable Raleigh (Facebook)](https://www.facebook.com/livableraleigh/posts/candidate-filing-has-ended-whos-runningmayorashleigh-heath-armstrong-janet-cowel/862862726389536/)\n","birthdate":null,"firstname":"Ashleigh","fullname":"Ashleigh Heath Armstrong","lastname":"Armstrong","middlename":"Heath","suffix":null,"summary":"Ashleigh Heath Armstrong is a data coordinator and 2026 mayoral candidate for Raleigh, NC, running in a nonpartisan four\u2011year term race.","token":"6066886399ae0c75"},{"bio_snippet":"","biography":null,"birthdate":null,"firstname":"Clayton","fullname":"Clayton W Armstrong","lastname":"Armstrong","middlename":"W","suffix":null,"summary":null,"token":"1rHGVcsd5E"},{"bio_snippet":"Darren Armstrong, a farmer and former US Grains Council chair, won the 2026 Republican primary for North Carolina House District\u202f79 and will appear on the November ballot.","biography":"Darren Armstrong is the Republican nominee for the North Carolina House of Representatives District\u202f79 in the November\u202f3,\u202f2026 general election. After winning the March\u202f3,\u202f2026 Republican primary with 52.3% of the vote (7,430 votes to incumbent Keith Kidwell\u2019s 6,779)\u30101\u2020L19-L24\u3011\u301019\u2020L1-L4\u3011, he will appear on the ballot as the party\u2019s candidate for a two\u2011year term in the state\u2019s lower chamber\u30106\u2020L1-L4\u3011. \n\nThe North Carolina House of Representatives is the lower house of the General Assembly; members serve two\u2011year terms, must be at least 21\u202fyears old, and must reside in the district they represent. District\u202f79 covers Beaufort, Hyde and Pamlico counties and part of Dare County\u30106\u2020L1-L4\u3011\u301020\u2020L1-L4\u3011. \n\nArmstrong was born in Hyde County and raised in the Ponzer community of the same county. He earned an associate\u2019s degree in Agricultural Business from North Carolina State University\u2019s Agricultural Institute in 1993\u30104\u2020L9-L12\u3011\u30109\u2020L9-L12\u3011. He has spent the better part of three decades as a co\u2011owner of Armstrong Farms, a multigenerational family operation that grows corn, soybeans, wheat and cotton for livestock feed and commercial markets\u30104\u2020L1-L5\u3011\u30108\u2020L1-L5\u3011. The farm has expanded over the years, incorporating land from his father\u2011in\u2011law and adding new acreage as it became available\u30104\u2020L6-L9\u3011. \n\nBeyond the farm, Armstrong has held a series of leadership roles in statewide and national agricultural organizations. He served on the grower advisory panel for Bayer, was elected chairman of the United States Grains Council (USGC) in 2019, and has chaired the Corn Board of North Carolina and the Hyde County Farm Bureau\u30104\u2020L13-L18\u3011\u30108\u2020L5-L9\u3011. He also sits on several local boards, including the Beaufort County Community College Board of Trustees, the Pungo Christian Academy Board of Directors (as chair), and the Hyde County Soil and Water Board\u30109\u2020L15-L22\u3011. \n\nArmstrong entered the political arena in late\u202f2025, filing to run for the District\u202f79 seat and announcing his candidacy in a December\u202f24 press release\u301011\u2020L1-L6\u3011. His campaign emphasizes protecting the region\u2019s \u201cagriculture, fishing and timber\u201d industries, expanding \u201cright\u2011to\u2011farm\u201d protections, supporting the 2nd\u202fAmendment, backing law\u2011enforcement, and advocating for parental\u2011choice education and lower taxes\u301013\u2020L9-L14\u3011\u301018\u2020L1-L5\u3011. He also calls for a shift from the \u201cpermanent continuation budget\u201d to a biennial budgeting process\u301018\u2020L6-L8\u3011. \n\nThe race attracted a high\u2011profile endorsement from North Carolina Commissioner of Agriculture Steve\u202fTroxler, who praised Armstrong\u2019s commitment to an annual Farm Act and \u201cright\u2011to\u2011farm\u201d legislation\u30109\u2020L23-L27\u3011. Armstrong\u2019s campaign website lists his contact email (contact@darrenarmstrong.com) and provides a suite of biographical details, including his family (wife Dawn and three sons) and his civic affiliations\u30101\u2020L31-L33\u3011\u30109\u2020L23-L30\u3011. With no Democratic challenger filed, the primary victory effectively secures the seat for Armstrong, who will be sworn in when the new General Assembly convenes in January\u202f2027\u301019\u2020L5-L7\u3011\u301020\u2020L1-L4\u3011.\n\n## Sources\n- [1] [Darren Armstrong - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Darren_Armstrong)\n- [2] [North Carolina elections, 2026 - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/North_Carolina_elections,_2026)\n- [3] [Building a family legacy by growing corn at Armstrong Farm](http://info.ncagr.gov/blog/2020/11/27/building-a-family-legacy-by-growing-corn-at-armstrong-farm/)\n- [4] [Building a family legacy by growing corn at Armstrong Farm | In the Field](https://blog.ncagr.gov/2020/11/27/building-a-family-legacy-by-growing-corn-at-armstrong-farm/)\n- [6] [2026 North Carolina House of Representatives election - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2026_North_Carolina_House_of_Representatives_election)\n- [7] [Darren Armstrong, North Carolina Farmer, Elected USGC ...](https://www.facebook.com/BrianAllmerRadioNetwork/posts/darren-armstrong-north-carolina-farmer-elected-usgc-chairman-at-cincinnati-meeti/2022919227812836/)\n- [8] [Who is Darren Armstrong?](https://www.thewashingtondailynews.com/news/headline-who-is-darren-armstrong-27e59cbb)\n- [9] [Meet Darren - Darren Armstrong for NC House](https://darrenarmstrong.com/meet-darren/)\n- [10] [Darren Armstrong for NC House District 79](https://darrenarmstrong.com/)\n- [11] [The Outer Banks Voice - Darren Armstrong formally announces for District 79 NC House seat](https://www.outerbanksvoice.com/2025/12/24/darren-armstrong-formally-announces-for-district-79-nc-house-seat/)\n- [13] [The Outer Banks Voice - It\u2019s Kidwell versus Armstrong in the NC House District 79 Republican contest](https://www.outerbanksvoice.com/2026/02/17/its-kidwell-versus-armstrong-in-the-house-district-79-republican-contest/)\n- [14] [2026 Williams Mullen NC Primary Election Update | Williams Mullen](https://www.williamsmullen.com/insights/news/legal-news/2026-williams-mullen-nc-primary-election-update)\n- [15] [What We Learned From North Carolina's 2026 Primaries](https://www.theassemblync.com/news/politics/elections/north-carolina-2026-primary-elections-takeaways/)\n- [16] [2026 North Carolina Elections: Early Filing Update - Albemarle Observer](https://albemarleobserver.news/2025/12/04/2026-north-carolina-elections-early-filing-update/)\n- [18] [Darren Armstrong \u2013 Candidate for North Carolina House of Representativ...](https://www.thecoastlandtimes.com/news/darren-armstrong-candidate-for-north-carolina-house-of-representatives-district-79-ef15497d/)\n- [19] [Armstrong unseats Kidwell in primary; tax sales tax referendum fails | Ocracoke Observer](https://ocracokeobserver.com/2026/03/04/armstrong-unseats-kidwell-in-primary-tax-referendum-fails/)\n- [20] [Armstrong wins GOP primary for District 79 seat, will head to General Assembly](https://wcti12.com/news/local/armstrong-wins-gop-primary-for-district-79-seat-will-head-to-general-assembly)","birthdate":null,"firstname":"Darren","fullname":"Darren Keith Sawyer Armstrong","lastname":"Armstrong","middlename":"Keith Sawyer","suffix":null,"summary":"Darren Armstrong, a farmer and former US Grains Council chair, won the 2026 Republican primary for North Carolina House District\u202f79 and will appear on the November ballot.","token":"a4ce2180bf858170"}]