[{"bio_snippet":"","biography":null,"birthdate":null,"firstname":"THOMAS","fullname":"THOMAS L. BELL","lastname":"BELL","middlename":"L.","suffix":null,"summary":null,"token":"9JLhej2qq9"},{"bio_snippet":"","biography":null,"birthdate":null,"firstname":"Toya","fullname":"Toya Bell","lastname":"Bell","middlename":null,"suffix":null,"summary":null,"token":"3SRLFPgk2V"},{"bio_snippet":"","biography":null,"birthdate":null,"firstname":"Tina","fullname":"Tina M Bellamy","lastname":"Bellamy","middlename":"M","suffix":null,"summary":null,"token":"4ZH3Fg81Nq"},{"bio_snippet":"Per the NC voter file: REP voter in Surry County since 1996.","biography":"According to the North Carolina voter file, Jillann Hankey Bellia is a registered voter in Surry County, North Carolina, registered since 1996 (30 years), with party affiliation listed as Republican [1].\n\nThe voter file shows Jillann Hankey Bellia'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 8 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 Jillann Hankey Bellia 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/)","birthdate":null,"firstname":"Jillann","fullname":"Jillann Hankey Bellia","lastname":"Bellia","middlename":"Hankey","suffix":null,"summary":"Per the NC voter file: REP voter in Surry County since 1996.","token":"983bc0b506c1c41e"},{"bio_snippet":"The provided text lists Tennessee Secretary of State candidate resources for the 2026 election cycle but contains no specific data regarding Johnny Bellis.","biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\n\nJohnny Bellis is a candidate for Tennessee State Executive Committeeman in the 2026 Republican primary [1]. He qualified for the ballot by meeting the Secretary of State's deadline of March 10, 2026, at noon [1]. As of May 11, 2026, the outcome of this upcoming election remains unknown [1].\n\n## Sources\n[1] [Candidate Lists | Tennessee Secretary of State](https://sos.tn.gov/elections/2026-candidate-lists)","birthdate":null,"firstname":"Johnny","fullname":"Johnny Bellis","lastname":"Bellis","middlename":null,"suffix":null,"summary":"The provided text lists Tennessee Secretary of State candidate resources for the 2026 election cycle but contains no specific data regarding Johnny Bellis.","token":"NUkBAb8CJQ"},{"bio_snippet":"Per the NC voter file: REP voter in Catawba County since 2018.","biography":"According to the North Carolina voter file, Nicholas Francis Bellomo JR is a registered voter in Catawba County, North Carolina, registered since 2018 (8 years), with party affiliation listed as Republican [1].\n\nThe voter file shows Nicholas Francis Bellomo JR's year of birth as 1950; 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 12 elections voted in since 2018, 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 Nicholas Francis Bellomo JR 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/)","birthdate":null,"firstname":"Nicholas","fullname":"Nicholas Francis Bellomo JR","lastname":"Bellomo","middlename":"Francis","suffix":"JR","summary":"Per the NC voter file: REP voter in Catawba County since 2018.","token":"c34f41ab314ed454"},{"bio_snippet":"Per the NC voter file: DEM voter in Cumberland County since 2008.","biography":"According to the North Carolina voter file, Mario Luis Benavente is a registered voter in Cumberland County, North Carolina, registered since 2008 (18 years), with party affiliation listed as Democratic [1].\n\nThe voter file shows Mario Luis Benavente's year of birth as 1990; 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 16 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 Mario Luis Benavente can reach ballotproject.org with corrections or additions.\n\nMario Luis Benavente, listed on the ballot as Mario (BE) Benavente, was a candidate for the Cumberland County Board of Commissioners At-Large (a vote-for-2 Democratic-primary seat) in the March 3, 2026 Democratic primary. He placed fourth of six candidates with 4,816 votes; the top two \u2014 Charles Evans (12,363) and Veronica B. Jones (7,455) \u2014 advanced to the November general alongside Republican nominees Greg West and Ron Ross. Benavente did not advance and will not appear on the November 3, 2026 general-election ballot, per certified North Carolina State Board of Elections results [3].\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, certified March 3, 2026 election results (`results_pct_20260303.txt`), https://s3.amazonaws.com/dl.ncsbe.gov/ENRS/2026_03_03/results_pct_20260303.zip \u2014 accessed 2026-07-21","birthdate":null,"firstname":"Mario","fullname":"Mario Luis Benavente","lastname":"Benavente","middlename":"Luis","suffix":null,"summary":"Per the NC voter file: DEM voter in Cumberland County since 2008.","token":"05a9ef2b900efe33"},{"bio_snippet":"Iraida Bender is a Cuban-born chef and restaurant owner in Lenoir, NC; however, no provided sources confirm she is running for office in the 2026 election.","biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\nIraida \"Iris\" Bender is the Democratic candidate for North Carolina House of Representatives District 87 (Caldwell and Watauga counties) in the 2026 general election on November 3, 2026, according to the NC State Board of Elections candidate filing [1]. She faces Republican incumbent Destin Hall, the Speaker of the NC House [1].\n\n## Background and education\nBender is a Cuban-born business owner who resides in Lenoir, North Carolina [2]. She moved to the United States at age 19 and lived in Miami and Fort Lauderdale, Florida for seven years before settling in Lenoir with her husband and their two children [2]. She earned a bachelor's degree while working full-time and raising a family [2].\n\n## Career\nBender founded Bender Restaurant Management LLC, which operates Taste of Havana, a Cuban restaurant in Lenoir that she opened in August 2019, where she serves as chef preparing dishes such as Cuban sandwiches and ropa vieja [2].\n\n## Sources\n[1] North Carolina State Board of Elections, 2026 Candidate Listing (NC House District 087, Caldwell/Watauga counties) \u2014 https://s3.amazonaws.com/dl.ncsbe.gov/Elections/2026/Candidate%20Filing/Candidate_Listing_2026.csv, accessed 2026-07-20\n[2] [Meet Iraida Bender of Bender Restaurant Mngmt DBA Taste of Havana - VoyageRaleigh Magazine](https://voyageraleigh.com/interview/meet-iraida-iris-bender-of-bender-restaurant-mngmt-llc-dba-taste-of-havana/)","birthdate":null,"firstname":"Iraida","fullname":"Iraida Bender","lastname":"Bender","middlename":null,"suffix":null,"summary":"Iraida Bender is a Cuban-born chef and restaurant owner in Lenoir, NC; however, no provided sources confirm she is running for office in the 2026 election.","token":"20b1079f2db522f6"},{"bio_snippet":"John Bender is a Republican politician and Economic Developer in Jones County, NC, who served on the County Commission.","biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\nJohn Hughes Bender III, known as Jack Bender, is an unaffiliated candidate for the Jones County Board of Commissioners, District 3, in the November 3, 2026 general election. A WCTI12 report published in late February 2026 (updated March 6, 2026) described him as running unopposed [1]. However, the North Carolina State Board of Elections' 2026 candidate filing list shows two more unaffiliated candidates, Fernanda Gayle Copeland and Richard Gene Avery Jr., later filed for the same District 3 seat -- both on April 15, 2026, after that report was published -- making this a three-candidate race [2].\n\n## Career\nBender is identified on LinkedIn as the Economic Development and Planning Director for Jones County, North Carolina [3] (LinkedIn requires login; reflects the public profile as of July 2026).\n\n## Sources\n[1] [Meet your Jones County Candidates for the 2026 Election \u2014 WCTI12](https://wcti12.com/news/election/local-election/meet-your-jones-county-candidates-for-the-2026-election)\n[2] NC State Board of Elections, 2026 Candidate Filing List (Jones County) \u2014 accessed 2026-07-21\n[3] [John Bender \u2013 Economic Developer/Planner \u2013 Jones County \u2013 LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-bender-5039a090/) (LinkedIn requires login; reflects the public profile as of July 2026)","birthdate":null,"firstname":"John","fullname":"John Hughes Bender III","lastname":"Bender","middlename":"Hughes","suffix":"III","summary":"John Bender is a Republican politician and Economic Developer in Jones County, NC, who served on the County Commission.","token":"aa12b692b2d563f8"},{"bio_snippet":"Per the NC voter file: REP voter in Avery County since 1997.","biography":"According to the North Carolina voter file, Teresa Ingram Benfield is a registered voter in Avery County, North Carolina, registered since 1997 (29 years), with party affiliation listed as Republican [1].\n\nThe voter file shows Teresa Ingram Benfield's year of birth as 1962; 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 13 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 Teresa Ingram Benfield 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/)","birthdate":null,"firstname":"Teresa","fullname":"Teresa Ingram Benfield","lastname":"Benfield","middlename":"Ingram","suffix":null,"summary":"Per the NC voter file: REP voter in Avery County since 1997.","token":"a30e726026ae2dc9"},{"bio_snippet":"Per the NC voter file: REP voter in Caldwell County since 1993.","biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\nJeremy Michael Benge ran in the March 3, 2026 Republican primary for the Caldwell County Board of Commissioners, one of nine candidates competing for two nominations. He finished third with 21.20% of the vote; Donnie Potter (23.42%) and Mike LaBrose (22.08%) won the two Republican nominations. Benge will not appear on the November 3, 2026 general-election ballot [1].\n\n## Background\nAccording to the North Carolina voter file, Benge is a registered voter in Caldwell County, North Carolina, registered since 1993 (33 years), with party affiliation listed as Republican [2].\n\nThe voter file shows Benge's year of birth as 1975; 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 8 elections voted in since 2016, most recently the 2026-03-03 primary election [3].\n\n## Sources\n[1] [North Carolina State Board of Elections \u2014 March 3, 2026 primary official precinct-level results](https://s3.amazonaws.com/dl.ncsbe.gov/ENRS/2026_03_03/results_pct_20260303.zip)\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/)","birthdate":null,"firstname":"Jeremy","fullname":"Jeremy Michael Benge","lastname":"Benge","middlename":"Michael","suffix":null,"summary":"Per the NC voter file: REP voter in Caldwell County since 1993.","token":"66227065779fef64"},{"bio_snippet":"Scott Benjamin holds a B.S. degree in Marketing from Mississippi State University and has 20 years of experience in the public sector. He currently serves as a Teaching Pastor at the Refuge Church and is an active volunteer in the community. Scott is currently serving as a member of the Arlington School Board, a position he has held since September 2022, and his term is set to end in September 2026.","biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\nScott Benjamin holds a B.S. degree in Marketing from Mississippi State University. After 20 years of working in the public sector, he now serves as Teaching Pastor at the Refuge Church. He feels that a school board should have a diverse group of people serving the needs and planning the direction of our schools and district. Scott believes that his family\u2019s 12 years of having four children in the public school system (with approximately 6 more years to go) has given him a unique and comprehensive view into a wide range of school curriculum, activities, and teaching styles.\n\nAs a pastor in a local church and an active volunteer in the community, Scott intentionally interacts with Arlington residents on a regular basis. He feels that these experiences give him numerous opportunities to hear from and listen to people about the things they like, dislike, and celebrate, as well as the concerns they have in our town as it relates to our schools.\n\n## Business interests and wealth source\n- **2026** \u2014 [School Board (SS-8005)](https://conflict.app.tn.gov/conflict/view_form_8005.htm?name=BENJAMIN&id=74852&f=192262&v=1) \u2014 filed as a Shelby County official/candidate\n- **2025** \u2014 [School Board (SS-8005)](https://conflict.app.tn.gov/conflict/view_form_8005.htm?name=BENJAMIN&id=74852&f=182012&v=1) \u2014 filed as a Shelby County official/candidate\n- **2025** \u2014 [School Board (SS-8005 (Amended))](https://conflict.app.tn.gov/conflict/view_form_8005.htm?name=BENJAMIN&id=74852&f=182012&v=2) \u2014 filed as a Shelby County official/candidate\n- **2024** \u2014 [School Board (SS-8005)](https://conflict.app.tn.gov/conflict/view_form_8005.htm?name=BENJAMIN&id=74852&f=173526&v=1) \u2014 filed as a Shelby County official/candidate\n\n*Source: [Tennessee Ethics Commission Statement of Interest Search](https://conflict.app.tn.gov/conflict/search.htm). Scraped 2026-04-25.*\n","birthdate":null,"firstname":"Scott","fullname":"Scott Benjamin","lastname":"Benjamin","middlename":null,"suffix":null,"summary":"Scott Benjamin holds a B.S. degree in Marketing from Mississippi State University and has 20 years of experience in the public sector. He currently serves as a Teaching Pastor at the Refuge Church and is an active volunteer in the community. Scott is currently serving as a member of the Arlington School Board, a position he has held since September 2022, and his term is set to end in September 2026.","token":"ez29BZ9l9j"},{"bio_snippet":"Tina J. Benkiser is an American attorney and former Chair of the Texas Republican Party (2003-2009) who later served as a professor at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.","biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\n\nTina J. Benkiser is an attorney and former state chairman of the Republican Party of Texas who served from 2003 to 2009 [1]. She currently resides in Tennessee, where she lectures and coordinates business law and ethics classes at The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga [3][4]. Licensed to practice law in both Tennessee and Texas, Benkiser has worked as in-house corporate counsel for an international energy company, counsel for an international intellectual property law firm, and in private practice [3].\n\nIn the 2026 election cycle, Benkiser is running for State Executive Committeewoman of the 11th Republican Primary District [1]. As a Republican candidate, she seeks to advance conservative principles within the party structure [3]. Her political career previously included serving as a senior adviser in Governor Rick Perry\u2019s administration after resigning from her role as state GOP chair [1][5].\n\n## Background and education\n\nTina Renee Johns Benkiser was born on February 7, 1963 [1]. She is an attorney licensed to practice law in both Tennessee and Texas [3]. Her professional background includes serving as in-house corporate counsel for an international energy company, counsel at an international intellectual property law firm, and operating her own private law practice [3].\n\nBenkiser has also pursued a career in academia, where she lectures and coordinates business law and ethics classes at The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga [3]. She is listed as a professor in the Business department at that institution [4].\n\n## Career\n\nTina J. Benkiser is an attorney licensed to practice law in both Tennessee and Texas [3]. Her professional background includes serving as in-house corporate counsel for an international energy company and as counsel at an international intellectual property law firm [3]. She has also operated her own private law practice [3].\n\nIn addition to her legal work, Benkiser is involved in academia, where she lectures and coordinates business law and ethics classes at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga [3]. Student evaluations from December 2025 indicate she teaches courses such as BUIS3350 within the university's business department [4].\n\n## Office history\n\nTina J. Benkiser served as the Chair of the Republican Party of Texas from 2003 to 2009, assuming the role following the resignation of Susan Weddington [1][2]. During her tenure, she faced opposition in the party's internal elections; specifically, Gina Parker ran a vigorous but unsuccessful campaign against Benkiser in 2004 [5]. Benkiser also encountered challenges to her leadership during this period, including an internal dispute that resulted in the Court of Appeals for the First District of Texas denying a petition for writ of mandamus in June 2008 [8].\n\nBenkiser resigned from the position of state chair in 2009 to serve as a senior adviser in Governor Rick Perry\u2019s campaign [1][2][5]. Her departure was noted by gubernatorial candidate Debra Medina, who commented on the opportunity for Republicans to \"right the ship\" following Benkiser's exit [6].\n\nIn her legal and academic career, Benkiser has served as in-house corporate counsel for an international energy company, counsel at an international intellectual property law firm, and in private practice [3]. She is licensed to practice law in both Tennessee and Texas [3]. Additionally, she lectures and coordinates business law and ethics classes at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga [3][4].\n\n## Documented disputes and controversies\n\nDuring her tenure as chair of the Republican Party of Texas, Benkiser faced internal opposition from within the party. In 2004, she was challenged by Gina Parker in a race that Parker conducted vigorously but unsuccessfully [5]. The contest occurred amidst differing support bases, with Benkiser holding the backing of Texans for Lawsuit Reform while Parker was identified as a trial lawyer [5].\n\nIn 2008, Benkiser\u2019s leadership faced further scrutiny when she encountered opposition during her re-election efforts. Two candidates, including Tom Mechler and Mark McCaig, indicated their desire to unseat her, with Mechler making pointed comments regarding her performance [7]. This period also saw legal challenges to her authority; a Court of Appeal in Houston denied a petition for writ of mandamus filed by Benkiser and the party in June 2008, resolving an internal dispute regarding a temporary restraining order [8].\n\nBenkiser resigned from the chairmanship in 2009 to serve as a senior adviser in Governor Rick Perry\u2019s campaign [1][2]. Her departure drew criticism from some grassroots activists; gubernatorial candidate Debra Medina commented on the resignation, stating that Republicans should use the opportunity to \"right the ship\" and support grassroots activism rather than the state party organization [6].\n\n## Business interests and wealth source\n\nTina Benkiser is an attorney who has worked as in-house corporate counsel for an international energy company and as counsel at an international intellectual property law firm [3]. She also operated her own private law practice [3]. Licensed to practice law in both Tennessee and Texas, she currently lectures and coordinates business law and ethics classes at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga [3][4].\n\nSpecific details regarding family wealth sources, personal ownership stakes in businesses, or significant financial disclosure facts are not provided in the available source material.\n\n## Family\n\nTina Benkiser is married to Eric Benkiser [1].\n\n## Sources\n[1] [Tina Benkiser - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tina_Benkiser)\n[2] [Tina Benkiser - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tina_J._Benkiser)\n[3] [Tina Benkiser](https://www.beacontn.org/people/tina-benkiser)\n[4] [Tina Benkiser at University of Tennessee - Chattanooga | Rate My Professors](https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/2060644)\n[5] [GOP chair Tina Benkiser steps down to join Perry campaign: Big deal or not? \u2013 Texas Monthly](https://www.texasmonthly.com/burka-blog/gop-chair-tina-benkiser-steps-down-to-join-perry-campaign-big-deal-or-not/)\n[6] [Tina Benkiser Archives \u2013 Texas Monthly](https://www.texasmonthly.com/people/tina-benkiser/)\n[7] [Half Empty: RPT Chair Tina Benkiser Resigns](http://halfempth.blogspot.com/2009/09/rpt-chair-tina-benkiser-resigns.html)\n[8] [Court of Appeal Abstains In re Tina Benkiser & Texas GOP (Tex. App. -Houston June 9, 2008) (mandamus denied)](http://www.texas-opinions.com/08-1stCoA-In-re-Tina-Benkiser-and-Texas-Republican-Party-GOP-Tex-App-Houston-2008-mandamus-denied-in-party-squabble.html)","birthdate":"Thu, 07 Feb 1963 00:00:00 GMT","firstname":"Tina","fullname":"Tina J. Benkiser","lastname":"Benkiser","middlename":"J.","suffix":null,"summary":"Tina J. Benkiser is an American attorney and former Chair of the Texas Republican Party (2003-2009) who later served as a professor at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.","token":"G4GmQe1uh4"},{"bio_snippet":"Andrew F. Bennett III was a 2012 Democratic candidate for Tennessee House District 21 who lost to incumbent Jimmy Matlock.","biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\n\nAndrew F. Bennett III is a Democratic candidate running for District 21 of the Tennessee House of Representatives in the 2026 election[1]. He previously sought this same seat during the 2012 cycle, where he won the August primary unopposed before losing to incumbent Republican Jimmy Matlock in the general election on November 6, 2012[1].\n\n## Office history\n\nAndrew F. Bennett III served as a Democratic candidate for District 21 of the Tennessee House of Representatives in 2012[1]. He ran unopposed in the August primary election before facing incumbent Republican Jimmy Matlock in the general election on November 6, 2012[1]. Bennett was defeated in that race[1].\n\n## Sources\n[1] [Andrew F. Bennett, III - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Andrew_F._Bennett,_III)","birthdate":null,"firstname":"Andrew","fullname":"Andrew F. Bennett III","lastname":"Bennett","middlename":"F.","suffix":"III","summary":"Andrew F. Bennett III was a 2012 Democratic candidate for Tennessee House District 21 who lost to incumbent Jimmy Matlock.","token":"5nnLhphiGg"},{"bio_snippet":"","biography":null,"birthdate":null,"firstname":"KATIE","fullname":"KATIE HOWELL BENNETT","lastname":"BENNETT","middlename":"HOWELL","suffix":null,"summary":null,"token":"rmonqrpMet"},{"bio_snippet":"Per the NC voter file: DEM voter in Anson County since 2022.","biography":"According to the North Carolina voter file, Lorri Burns Bennett is a registered voter in Anson County, North Carolina, registered since 2022 (4 years), with party affiliation listed as Democratic [1].\n\nThe voter file shows Lorri Burns Bennett's year of birth as 1977; 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 4 elections voted in since 2022, 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 Lorri Burns Bennett 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/)","birthdate":null,"firstname":"Lorri","fullname":"Lorri Burns Bennett","lastname":"Bennett","middlename":"Burns","suffix":null,"summary":"Per the NC voter file: DEM voter in Anson County since 2022.","token":"cc130bcc89e4364c"},{"bio_snippet":"Current office and 2026 campaign Marilynn Bennett is a Democratic candidate for the Anson County Board of Education at large seat in North Carolina. She filed her candidacy on December 5, 2025, and is based in Morven, Anson County. Sources 1 2026 Primary Candidate Detail List \u2013 N","biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\n\nMarilynn Bennett is a Democratic candidate for the Anson County Board of Education at-large seat in North Carolina. She filed her candidacy on December 5, 2025, and is based in Morven, Anson County.\n\n## Sources\n- [1] [2026 Primary Candidate Detail List \u2013 NCSBE](https://s3.amazonaws.com/dl.ncsbe.gov/Elections/2026/Candidate%20Filing/2026_primary_candidate_detail_list.pdf)","birthdate":null,"firstname":"Marilynn","fullname":"Marilynn Bennett","lastname":"Bennett","middlename":null,"suffix":null,"summary":null,"token":"2774f8ebf7712adc"},{"bio_snippet":"Royce Bennett serves as a Commissioner and Chairman on the Onslow County Board of Commissioners in North Carolina.","biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\nMichael Royce Bennett, known publicly as Royce Bennett, is an incumbent Onslow County Commissioner running for re-election as a Republican in 2026. He has served on the Onslow County Board of Commissioners since December 2016 and resides in Jacksonville, NC.\n\nBennett's campaign emphasizes transparency and integrity in county government and empowering residents through informed decision-making.\n\n## Background and education\nBennett holds a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from North Carolina Wesleyan College.\n\n## Career\nPrior to his elected service, Bennett worked as a police officer and administrator in the Rocky Mount and Morehead City police departments for more than 12 years. He subsequently became a Realtor and Broker Associate with Century 21 Champion Real Estate and has been an independent businessman in Onslow County for more than 27 years.\n\nBennett serves on the Metro-Area Transportation Board, the Onslow Water and Sewer Authority (Vice Chairman), the Jacksonville-Onslow Economic Development Partnership, and the Onslow Strong Disaster Recovery Alliance (Vice Chairman).\n\n## Family\nBennett and his wife Karen have been married for more than 38 years.\n\n## Sources\n- [1] [Vote4Royce \u2013 campaign website](https://vote4royce.com/)\n- [2] [Get To Know Your Candidates! 2026 \u2013 Topsail Times](https://www.topsailtimes.net/post/get-to-know-your-candidates-2026)\n","birthdate":null,"firstname":"Michael","fullname":"Michael Royce Bennett","lastname":"Bennett","middlename":"Royce","suffix":null,"summary":"Royce Bennett serves as a Commissioner and Chairman on the Onslow County Board of Commissioners in North Carolina.","token":"bfc72fccf828c60e"},{"bio_snippet":"Incumbent Republican Blount County Commissioner, District 4, Seat A, seeking a third term against Democrat Robin Cox; 26-yr educator/coach.","biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\nRobbie Bennett is the incumbent Republican Blount County Commissioner for District 4, Seat A, and the Republican nominee on the Aug. 6, 2026 general-election ballot, facing Democrat Robin Cox [1][2]. He is seeking a third term [3].\n\n## Background and education\nBennett has lived in Blount County his whole life [3].\n\n## Career\nBennett has been an educator in Blount County Schools for 26 years, serving as head baseball coach for 25 years and as assistant principal/athletic director for 15 years [3].\n\n## Office history\nBennett has served two terms on the Blount County Commission. He currently serves on the Commission's Beer Board, Commission Workshop Committee, and Education Committee, per the county's official commissioners listing [4].\n\n## Legislative record and accomplishments\nPer his Daily Times candidate profile, during his two terms the county kept its tax rate at $2.47 before lowering it to the certified rate of $1.59 in 2023; he says he voted against cluster housing and for a resolution increasing minimum lot sizes to help control growth [3].\n\n## Sources\n[1] [August 6, 2026 Official Ballot for Blount County](https://www.blounttn.gov/DocumentCenter/View/30077/August-6-2026-Sample-Ballot-PDF) \u2014 accessed 2026-07-06\n[2] [May 5, 2026 Official Ballot for Blount County](https://www.blounttn.gov/DocumentCenter/View/29846/May-5-2026-Sample-Ballot-PDF) \u2014 accessed 2026-07-06\n[3] [The Daily Times \u2014 Hats in the Ring: County Board of Commissioners Seat 4-A](https://www.thedailytimes.com/news/blount-county-board-of-commissioners-seat-4-a/pdf_fba8c005-cc05-48cb-8cd7-14067ef42fd0.html) (Marcus Fitzsimmons) \u2014 accessed 2026-07-06\n[4] [Blount County, TN \u2014 Commissioners](https://www.blounttn.gov/835/Commissioners) \u2014 accessed 2026-07-06","birthdate":null,"firstname":"Robbie","fullname":"Robbie Bennett","lastname":"Bennett","middlename":null,"suffix":null,"summary":"Incumbent Republican Blount County Commissioner, District 4, Seat A, seeking a third term against Democrat Robin Cox; 26-yr educator/coach.","token":"Wv9AKcexLK"},{"bio_snippet":"Incumbent Rural Hall Mayor Terry Michael Bennett is the Republican candidate for re\u2011election in 2026, emphasizing community engagement and responsible development.","biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\nTerry Michael Bennett is the incumbent mayor of Rural Hall, North Carolina, serving a term that runs 2023-2026, and is the Republican candidate for re-election in the November 3, 2026 general election [1].\n\n> **Editorial note -- same-name confusion.** A 2018 obituary exists online for a different man, Terry Lee Bennett, who died in December 2018. That person is not the mayor of Rural Hall. Terry Michael Bennett is a sitting, living municipal official who has remained active in town governance through 2026 [2][3][4].\n\n## Career\nAs mayor, Bennett has been the central figure in Rural Hall's multi-year debate over a proposed data center on Glade Street. In 2024, he convened a town-hall meeting after more than 100 residents objected to the project, pledging to keep residents informed about its environmental and traffic impact [2]. The town council initially opposed the project, but in June 2026 it reversed course and passed a resolution supporting it, after the developer committed in writing that Rural Hall could annex the site and collect its tax revenue if the project moves forward [3][4]. Bennett has also promoted business development in the town, including presiding over a 2024 ribbon-cutting for a new Love's Travel Stop that included a $5,000 donation to Rural Hall Elementary School [5].\n\n## Sources\n[1] [Municipal Elected Officials Guide (2025) -- Forsyth County Board of Elections](https://forsyth.cc/elections/assets/documents/2025_municipal_officials_guide.pdf) -- accessed 2026-07-19\n\n[2] [Over 100 frustrated residents attend Rural Hall community meeting on data center proposal -- ABC45](https://abc45.com/news/local/hundreds-of-upset-residents-attend-rural-hall-community-meeting-on-data-center-proposal) -- accessed 2026-07-19\n\n[3] [Rural Hall drops opposition to proposed data center -- 88.5 WFDD](https://www.wfdd.org/politics-government/2026-06-23/rural-hall-drops-opposition-to-proposed-data-center) -- accessed 2026-07-19\n\n[4] [Rural Hall town leaders reverse course on data center, pass resolution in support -- FOX8 WGHP](https://myfox8.com/news/north-carolina/forsyth/rural-hall-town-leaders-convene-for-data-center-discussion-residents-return-to-voice-opposition/) -- accessed 2026-07-19\n\n[5] [Town of Rural Hall -- Instagram, ribbon-cutting for Love's Travel Stop](https://www.instagram.com/p/C8YC2RlgFuY/?locale=ko&hl=en) -- accessed 2026-07-19","birthdate":null,"firstname":"Terry","fullname":"Terry Michael Bennett","lastname":"Bennett","middlename":"Michael","suffix":null,"summary":"Incumbent Rural Hall Mayor Terry Michael Bennett is the Republican candidate for re\u2011election in 2026, emphasizing community engagement and responsible development.","token":"4773929beabf510a"}]