[{"bio_snippet":"Per the NC voter file: DEM voter in Iredell County since 1998.","biography":"> **Status update.** Precinda Bjorgen lost the Democratic primary for NC Senate District 37 to Raygan J. Angel, 3,384 votes to 5,632 (Iredell and Mecklenburg counties, March 3, 2026); Angel advances to the November 3, 2026 general election [3].\n\nAccording to the North Carolina voter file, Precinda Carol Bjorgen is a registered voter in Iredell County, North Carolina, registered since 1998 (28 years), with party affiliation listed as Democratic [1].\n\nThe voter file shows Precinda Carol Bjorgen's year of birth as 1961; 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\n## Sources\n[1] [North Carolina State Board of Elections \u2014 Voter Search](https://vt.ncsbe.gov/RegLkup/)\n[2] North Carolina State Board of Elections voter history file (`ncvhis_Statewide`), published at [dl.ncsbe.gov](https://dl.ncsbe.gov/)\n[3] North Carolina State Board of Elections, March 3, 2026 primary results by precinct (results_pct_20260303, dl.ncsbe.gov) \u2014 accessed 2026-07-20; NC Senate District 37 (DEM): Raygan J. Angel 5,632, Precinda Bjorgen 3,384.","birthdate":null,"firstname":"Precinda","fullname":"Precinda Carol Bjorgen","lastname":"Bjorgen","middlename":"Carol","suffix":null,"summary":"Per the NC voter file: DEM voter in Iredell County since 1998.","token":"9fc83f8a348dbd2f"},{"bio_snippet":"","biography":null,"birthdate":null,"firstname":"Jill","fullname":"Jill Black","lastname":"Black","middlename":null,"suffix":null,"summary":null,"token":"knp6876lyp"},{"bio_snippet":"","biography":null,"birthdate":null,"firstname":"Richard","fullname":"Richard Black","lastname":"Black","middlename":null,"suffix":null,"summary":null,"token":"zods3iKNjV"},{"bio_snippet":"","biography":null,"birthdate":null,"firstname":"Steve","fullname":"Steve Black","lastname":"Black","middlename":null,"suffix":null,"summary":null,"token":"wdrvaaz3Lq"},{"bio_snippet":"","biography":null,"birthdate":null,"firstname":"Tony","fullname":"Tony Black","lastname":"Black","middlename":null,"suffix":null,"summary":null,"token":"n74BXtWnk9"},{"bio_snippet":"","biography":null,"birthdate":null,"firstname":"Timothy","fullname":"Timothy D. Black, Sr","lastname":"Black,","middlename":"D.","suffix":"Sr","summary":null,"token":"WkiiSYbC7A"},{"bio_snippet":"","biography":null,"birthdate":null,"firstname":"Cheryl","fullname":"Cheryl Blackburn","lastname":"Blackburn","middlename":null,"suffix":null,"summary":null,"token":"PYwS9yzuEw"},{"bio_snippet":"","biography":null,"birthdate":null,"firstname":"CRAIG","fullname":"CRAIG BLACKBURN","lastname":"BLACKBURN","middlename":null,"suffix":null,"summary":null,"token":"Bo1gXNxvLd"},{"bio_snippet":"Earl M. Blackburn Jr., a Republican former ARBCA chairman and pastor, is running for the Elkin City Schools Board of Education City District in Surry County, NC.","biography":"Earl M. Blackburn Jr. is a Republican candidate for the Elkin City Schools Board of Education City District, a two\u2011member governing body that sets policy, approves the district budget, adopts curriculum standards, and hires the superintendent for the Elkin City Schools in Surry County, North Carolina [2]. The board\u2019s duties are defined by state law and local ordinances, requiring members to attend regular meetings, review financial reports, and represent the interests of students, parents, and taxpayers.\n\nBlackburn was born and raised in North Carolina before moving to Louisiana, where he served as senior pastor of Heritage Baptist Church in Shreveport and held the chairmanship of the Association of Reformed Baptist Churches of America (ARBCA) for roughly two decades. He retired from ARBCA in 2019 and returned to his home state of North Carolina, where he entered local politics [11].\n\nIn 2022, Blackburn entered the race for the Elkin City Schools Board of Education. He filed for the Republican primary held on May 17, 2022, competing alongside Johnny M. Blevins, Patty Crosswhite, and Denny Lazar. After advancing from the primary, he appeared on the general\u2011election ballot on November 8, 2022, where two seats were contested. The ballot listed Blackburn, fellow Republican Johnny M. Blevins, and unaffiliated candidates Will Ballard and Mary Keller. Blackburn was elected to the board in that election [2].\n\nAlthough Blackburn did not complete Ballotpedia\u2019s Candidate Connection survey, his campaign contact information is publicly listed as earlofblackburn@gmail.com, indicating a willingness to engage with voters directly [2]. No phone number is provided in the available sources. His public profile includes a photo featured in a local news article covering his election victory, which can serve as a visual identifier for voters [11].\n\nBlackburn\u2019s background as a longtime church leader and former ARBCA chairman suggests experience in organizational governance and community outreach, which he has highlighted as assets for serving on the school board. His stated motivations for running include a desire to contribute to local education and to bring his leadership experience to the district\u2019s decision\u2011making processes, though specific policy positions are not detailed in the cited sources.\n\n## Sources\n- [2] [Earl M. Blackburn (Elkin City Schools Board of Education City District, North Carolina, candidate 2022) - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Earl_M._Blackburn_(Elkin_City_Schools_Board_of_Education_City_District,_North_Carolina,_candidate_2022))\n- [7] [Candidate Profiles \u2013 NC Voter Guide](https://ncvoterguide.org/profiles/)\n- [11] [Former ARBCA Chairman and pastor Earl Blackburn Wins Seat on Elkin School Board | The Wartburg Watch 2024](https://thewartburgwatch.com/tww2/2022/11/16/former-arbca-chairman-and-pastor-earl-blackburn-wins-seat-on-elkin-school-board/)","birthdate":null,"firstname":"Earl","fullname":"Earl Michael Blackburn JR","lastname":"Blackburn","middlename":"Michael","suffix":"JR","summary":"Earl M. Blackburn Jr., a Republican former ARBCA chairman and pastor, is running for the Elkin City Schools Board of Education City District in Surry County, NC.","token":"2dedd00723772fe4"},{"bio_snippet":"Republican U.S. Senator from Tennessee since 2019; candidate for Governor of Tennessee in the August 2026 Republican primary.","biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\nMarsha Blackburn is the senior U.S. Senator from Tennessee, serving since January 3, 2019, and is a candidate for Governor of Tennessee in the 2026 election [1]. She announced her campaign on August 6, 2025, becoming the third sitting U.S. senator to enter a 2026 gubernatorial race, and is considered the frontrunner in a Republican primary field that also includes U.S. Representatives John Rose and Mark Green, state Rep. Monty Fritts, and Secretary of State Tre Hargett; the primary is scheduled for August 6, 2026 [2][3]. She remains the sitting senator while running for governor.\n\n## Background and education\nBlackburn was born Mary Marsha Wedgeworth on June 6, 1952, in Laurel, Mississippi [4]. She graduated from Mississippi State University in 1973 with a Bachelor of Science in home economics, attending on a 4-H scholarship and serving as president of the Associated Women Students [5].\n\n## Career\nWhile at Mississippi State, Blackburn worked as a student sales manager for the Southwestern Company [5]. She later founded Marketing Strategies, a promotion and event-management firm, in 1978 [4]. She founded the Williamson County Young Republicans and chaired the county Republican Party from 1989 to 1991, then lost a 1992 bid for Tennessee's 6th Congressional District to incumbent Bart Gordon [4].\n\n## Office history\nBlackburn served in the Tennessee State Senate representing the 23rd district from 1999 to 2003, rising to minority whip [4]. She represented Tennessee's 7th Congressional District in the U.S. House from January 3, 2003, to January 3, 2019, winning reelection seven times [4]. She was elected to the U.S. Senate in 2018, defeating former Democratic Governor Phil Bredesen 54.7%-43.9%, and was reelected in 2024, defeating Democratic state Rep. Gloria Johnson 63.8%-34.2% [6][7]. Her committee assignments in the 119th Congress include Commerce, Science, and Transportation (chair, Subcommittee on Consumer Protection, Technology, and Data Privacy), Judiciary (chair, Subcommittee on Privacy, Technology, and the Law), Finance, and Veterans' Affairs [8].\n\n## Family\nBlackburn is married to Charles \"Chuck\" Blackburn; they have two children, Chad and Mary Morgan, and live in Brentwood, Tennessee [9].\n\n## Sources\n[1] [Marsha Blackburn - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marsha_Blackburn) - accessed 2026-07-06\n[2] [Marsha Blackburn becomes third U.S. senator to announce a 2026 gubernatorial bid - Ballotpedia News](https://news.ballotpedia.org/2025/08/15/marsha-blackburn-becomes-third-u-s-senator-to-announce-a-2026-gubernatorial-bid/) - accessed 2026-07-06\n[3] [2026 Tennessee gubernatorial election - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2026_Tennessee_gubernatorial_election) - accessed 2026-07-06\n[4] [Marsha Blackburn - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marsha_Blackburn) - accessed 2026-07-06\n[5] [Marsha Blackburn - Mississippi State University Libraries](https://www.library.msstate.edu/mpc/marsha-blackburn) - accessed 2026-07-06\n[6] [2018 United States Senate election in Tennessee - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2018_United_States_Senate_election_in_Tennessee) - accessed 2026-07-06\n[7] [2024 United States Senate election in Tennessee - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2024_United_States_Senate_election_in_Tennessee) - accessed 2026-07-06\n[8] [Committee Assignments - U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee](https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/committee-assignments) - accessed 2026-07-06\n[9] [Meet the Man Behind the Bow Tie & Author of \"Bow Tie Bible\" - Williamson Source](https://williamsonsource.com/meet-the-man-behind-the-bow-tie-and-author-of-bow-tie-bible/) - accessed 2026-07-06","birthdate":null,"firstname":"Marsha","fullname":"Marsha Blackburn","lastname":"Blackburn","middlename":null,"suffix":null,"summary":"Republican U.S. Senator from Tennessee since 2019; candidate for Governor of Tennessee in the August 2026 Republican primary.","token":"gS4KyRSN8B"},{"bio_snippet":"","biography":null,"birthdate":null,"firstname":"Melissa","fullname":"Melissa Blackburn","lastname":"Blackburn","middlename":null,"suffix":null,"summary":null,"token":"vkdqPcg7s7"},{"bio_snippet":"Republican incumbent commissioner for Cheatham County District 1 (Ashland City area), seeking re-election in 2026; voted against the 2026-27 county budget.","biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\nCalton Blacker is the incumbent Cheatham County commissioner for District 1, which covers the Ashland City area, and is one of two Republican nominees on the August 6, 2026 county-general ballot for the district's two seats, alongside David Anderson. District 1 is a \"Vote For TWO\" contest [1][2].\n\n## Office history\nBlacker was among the candidates who filed for the District 1 seat in the Republican primary during the 2022 local election cycle and has served on the county commission [3][2].\n\n## Legislative record and accomplishments\nIn the June 2026 vote on the county's 2026-2027 fiscal-year budget, Blacker was among the commissioners who cast a dissenting vote on the budget, which was narrowly approved [3].\n\n## Sources\n[1] [Cheatham County Sample Ballot, Precinct 1-1 (Aug. 6, 2026)](https://www.cheathamcountytn.gov/assets/pdfs/sample_ballots/no_party/precinct1_1.pdf) - accessed 2026-07-23\n[2] [Cheatham County Commission by District (directory)](https://www.cheathamcountytn.gov/commission.html) - accessed 2026-07-23\n[3] [Cheatham County Commission passes 2026-27 fiscal year budget - Main Street Media of Tennessee](https://mainstreetmediatn.com/articles/cce-print/cheatham-county-commission-passes-2026-27-fiscal-year-budget/) - accessed 2026-07-23","birthdate":null,"firstname":"Calton","fullname":"Calton Blacker","lastname":"Blacker","middlename":null,"suffix":null,"summary":"Republican incumbent commissioner for Cheatham County District 1 (Ashland City area), seeking re-election in 2026; voted against the 2026-27 county budget.","token":"ILwsRnFNpJ"},{"bio_snippet":"Carolyn Blackett is a public figure who currently holds the position of Criminal Court Judge, a role she has held since 1994. She has an extensive work history, including positions as an attorney at various law firms and organizations such as the National Labor Relations Board and Federal Express Corporation. Blackett obtained her law degree from St. Louis University Law School in 1982 and holds a degree from Brown University. She has been involved in numerous community organizations and boards, including the Memphis/Shelby County Crime Commission, Make-A-Wish Foundation, and Boys and Girls Club of Memphis. Overall, the profile provides substantial information about Blackett's education, work history, community involvement, and experience as a judge.","biography":"Criminal Court Judge\nYear Elected/Appointed\n1994\nPrevious Employment\nAttorney, Waring Cox Law Firm, 1992-94\nSenior Attorney/Regional Manager of Government Affairs, Federal Express Corporation, 1983-1992\nAttorney, National Labor Relations Board, 1983\nLegal Intern, Legal Services of Eastern Missouri, 1981-82\nLaw Clerk, Phill\n\nEducation\nSt. Louis University Law School, 1982\nBrown University, 1979\nHonors\nTennessee Court of Judiciary - Appointed by Tennessee Supreme Court, 1995-99\nTennessee Judicial Council - Appointed by Tennessee Supreme Court, 2006\nTennessee Judicial Conference, Chairperson of Judicial Fairness Committee, Member of Criminal Jury Instructions Committee, Member of Literacy in the Courts Committee, Member of Continuing Legal Education Committee, Treasurer of Tennessee Judicial Conference, 1996-97, Executive Board Member, 1997-98\n\nMembership(s)\nAmerican Bar Association\nNational Bar Association (Life Member)\nNational Bar Association - Judicial Council\nAssociation of Women Attorneys\nMemphis/Shelby County Bar Association\nAmerican Association of Judges\nNational Association of Women's Judges\nTennessee Bar Foundation\nTennessee Judicial Conference\nNational Bar Association - Ben F. Jones Chapter\n\nCommunity Involvement\nMemphis/Shelby County Crime Commission Board Member, 1995-2010\nPorter Leath Foster Grandparent Program, Advisory Board Member\nMake-A-Wish Foundation of Mid-South, Board Member\nLausanne Collegiate Schools-Board of Trustees\nBoys and Girls Club of Memphis, Board of Directors\nDomestic Violence Council - Board of Directors\nHarbor House - Board Member\nMemphis Crime Task Force-Appointed by Mayor\nExchange Club Child Abuse - Advisory Board Member\nRotary International\nNeighborhood Watch, Inc.\nTennessee Valley Authority\nMemphis Urban league\nMemphis Chamber of Commerce\nMemphis Area Transit Authority- Board of Commissions\nYWCA\nWDIA Goodwill Revue Foundation, Inc.\nLeadership Memphis\nTennessee State Park Commission\nDelta Sigma Theta Sorority\nMemphis Links (It's a Girl's Life Program)","birthdate":null,"firstname":"Carolyn","fullname":"Carolyn Blackett","lastname":"Blackett","middlename":null,"suffix":null,"summary":"Carolyn Blackett is a public figure who currently holds the position of Criminal Court Judge, a role she has held since 1994. She has an extensive work history, including positions as an attorney at various law firms and organizations such as the National Labor Relations Board and Federal Express Corporation. Blackett obtained her law degree from St. Louis University Law School in 1982 and holds a degree from Brown University. She has been involved in numerous community organizations and boards, including the Memphis/Shelby County Crime Commission, Make-A-Wish Foundation, and Boys and Girls Club of Memphis. Overall, the profile provides substantial information about Blackett's education, work history, community involvement, and experience as a judge.","token":"805BUe2rSY"},{"bio_snippet":"","biography":null,"birthdate":null,"firstname":"Billy","fullname":"Billy B. Blackwell","lastname":"Blackwell","middlename":"B.","suffix":null,"summary":null,"token":"3sZaCLmK6A"},{"bio_snippet":"Sitting Marshall County District 1 commissioner and Republican nominee for county mayor in the August 2026 general election for the open mayor's seat.","biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\nCraig Blackwell is the Republican nominee for Marshall County Mayor in the August 6, 2026 county general election, having advanced from the May 5, 2026 Republican primary. He faces independent candidates Keith Hollingsworth and Frank Sullivan.[1] The mayoral seat is open; incumbent county mayor Mike Keny is not on the 2026 ballot and was recognized by the Tennessee General Assembly on the occasion of his retirement.[3]\n\n## Office history\nBlackwell currently serves on the Marshall County Commission, representing District 1.[2][4]\n\n## Sources\n[1] [Official Sample Ballot \u2014 Marshall County, TN, August 6, 2026](https://www.marshallcountytn.gov/a/uploads/138543) \u2014 accessed 2026-07-23\n[2] [Marshall County Commission](https://marshallcountytn.gov/county-commission) \u2014 accessed 2026-07-23\n[3] [TN HJR0883 (114th General Assembly), honoring Marshall County Mayor Mike Keny on his retirement](https://legiscan.com/TN/bill/HJR0883/2025) \u2014 accessed 2026-07-23\n[4] [UT CTAS \u2014 County Officials Directory: Craig Blackwell](https://www.ctas.tennessee.edu/official/craig-blackwell) \u2014 accessed 2026-07-23","birthdate":null,"firstname":"CRAIG","fullname":"CRAIG BLACKWELL","lastname":"BLACKWELL","middlename":null,"suffix":null,"summary":"Sitting Marshall County District 1 commissioner and Republican nominee for county mayor in the August 2026 general election for the open mayor's seat.","token":"lV14wOLAuK"},{"bio_snippet":"Hugh Allen Blackwell, a Republican, is the incumbent NC House Representative for District\u202f86 seeking re\u2011election in 2026.","biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\n\nHugh Allen Blackwell is the Republican member of the North Carolina House of Representatives for District 86, which covers Burke County [1]. The General Assembly's member record lists him as serving nine terms in the House and none in the Senate, and gives his occupation as \"Retired Attorney\" [1].\n\nHe filed for re-election on December 1, 2025 and appears on the November 3, 2026 general-election ballot; State Board of Elections candidate-filing data lists no primary in the District 86 contest and one opponent, Democrat Wesley E. Hendrix of Morganton [4]. Blackwell's city of residence is listed as Valdese [4][7].\n\nIn the 2024 general election he was re-elected with 32,134 votes to Democrat Gena Singleton's 12,467 [5]. In 2022 he appeared unopposed on the general-election ballot and received 23,945 votes [6].\n\n## Background and education\n\nBlackwell was born July 14, 1944 [7]. Vote Smart's biographical record lists an A.B. in economics from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a J.D. from Harvard Law School [7]. The General Assembly lists his military experience as \"US Army Reserve\" [1].\n\n## Career\n\nVote Smart records him as an attorney with the firm Mitchell, Blackwell & Mitchell from 1973, and as a former adjunct professor of business ethics and business law at Lenoir-Rhyne College in Hickory [7]. The same record lists civic roles including former member and vice chair of the Burke County Board of Education; member of the board of trustees of Western Piedmont Community College; trustee and former vice chair of Valdese General Hospital; legal counsel and board member of Hospice of Burke County; former vice president of the Burke County Chamber of Commerce; and member, Sunday school teacher, choir member and planning committee chair at Faith Community Church [7].\n\n## Office history\n\nVote Smart records his service as \"Representative, North Carolina State House of Representatives, District 86, 2009-present\" [7]. The General Assembly lists nine terms in the House [1].\n\n## Legislative record and accomplishments\n\nIn the 2025-2026 session Blackwell chairs the House Appropriations Committee, the Election Law Committee, the House Select Committee on Involuntary Commitment and Public Safety, and the House Select Committee on Redistricting. He is vice chairman of the Appropriations subcommittee on Education, of Education - K-12, and of Judiciary 1, and a member of the Health Committee, the Regulatory Reform Committee and the House Select Committee on Helene Recovery. He co-chairs the Joint Legislative Education Oversight Committee, the Joint Legislative Elections Oversight Committee and America's Semiquincentennial Committee, and sits on the Joint Legislative Oversight Committees on Health and Human Services and on Medicaid [2].\n\nBills enacted into law on which the General Assembly's records list Blackwell as a primary sponsor include:\n\n- House Bill 959, \"Various Education Changes,\" on which he is listed first among the primary sponsors, enacted as S.L. 2025-38 [3][10].\n- House Bill 231, \"Social Work Interstate Licensure Compact,\" enacted as S.L. 2025-7 [3][13].\n- House Bill 850, \"Interbasin Transfer Moratorium/Study,\" enacted as S.L. 2025-74 [3][12].\n- House Bill 1104, \"Improve IVC Process and Enhance Public Safety,\" enacted as S.L. 2026-38 [3][11].\n\n## Documented disputes and controversies\n\n**House Bill 958, \"Election Law Changes.\"** Blackwell is listed first among the primary sponsors of House Bill 958 [3][14]. NC Newsline reported on July 31, 2025 that \"North Carolina House Republicans want people to write their full Social Security numbers on voter registration applications, an idea that drew criticism from people worried about privacy and security,\" and that the bill \"would make the DMV give the state Board of Elections the Social Security numbers of licensed drivers\" [8]. Rep. Pricey Harrison (D-Guilford) said requiring the full number would violate a federal privacy law from the 1970s and asked, \"Why are we jumping into this potentially problematic area?\" [8]. Kate Fellman, executive director of You Can Vote, said collecting full Social Security numbers on voter registrations \"will provide hackers and extortionists with another target,\" and wrote that \"NC voters should not have to choose between their right to vote and their personal data security\" [8]. Jim Womack, head of the NC Election Integrity Team, supported the requirement, saying, \"You can get rid of hundreds of thousands of duplicates\" [8]. Blackwell responded that requiring the entire number \"would increase confidence that voters are accurately identified,\" and called the bill \"a work in progress\" [8]. Status: General Assembly records show the bill was placed on the House calendar for August 4, 2026 [3].\n\n**House Bill 144, constitutional amendment on the State Board of Education.** Blackwell is listed first among the primary sponsors of House Bill 144, \"Elect SBE/Superintendent as SBE Chair\" [3]. NC Newsline reported on May 19, 2026 that the proposal \"would remove the governor's power to appoint State Board of Education members\" and \"advanced out of a House committee on Tuesday amid pushback from Democrats that it would deepen partisan influence over public education,\" with Democrats on the committee warning that it \"ties seats directly to gerrymandered legislative maps\" [9]. Rep. Marcia Morey (D-Durham) offered an amendment requiring an independent redistricting commission to draw the 14 education districts [9]. Blackwell, described by NC Newsline as the bill's primary sponsor, said the change would give voters more direct influence: \"If you want to get different results, you don't continue to do things the same way that you've been doing them. I think this amendment is recognition that maybe we need to look at changing the way we lead education in North Carolina\" [9]. Responding to the independent-commission amendment, he said, \"I think we are kidding ourselves if we think we can take politics out of education. I think that that is a pipe dream\" [9]. The committee rejected Morey's amendment on a voice vote and advanced the bill [9]. Status: General Assembly records show it was re-referred to the House Rules Committee on May 19, 2026 [3].\n\n## Sources\n\n[1] [Representative Hugh Blackwell - Biography](https://www.ncleg.gov/Members/Biography/H/580) - North Carolina General Assembly, accessed 2026-07-31\n[2] [Representative Hugh Blackwell - Committees](https://www.ncleg.gov/Members/Committees/H/580) - North Carolina General Assembly, accessed 2026-07-31\n[3] [Representative Hugh Blackwell - Introduced Bills](https://www.ncleg.gov/Members/IntroducedBills/H/580) - North Carolina General Assembly, accessed 2026-07-31\n[4] [Candidate Listing 2026 (Candidate_Listing_2026.csv)](https://s3.amazonaws.com/dl.ncsbe.gov/Elections/2026/Candidate%20Filing/Candidate_Listing_2026.csv) - North Carolina State Board of Elections, accessed 2026-07-31\n[5] [2024 general election precinct-level results (results_pct_20241105.zip)](https://s3.amazonaws.com/dl.ncsbe.gov/ENRS/2024_11_05/results_pct_20241105.zip) - North Carolina State Board of Elections, accessed 2026-07-31\n[6] [2022 general election precinct-level results (results_pct_20221108.zip)](https://s3.amazonaws.com/dl.ncsbe.gov/ENRS/2022_11_08/results_pct_20221108.zip) - North Carolina State Board of Elections, accessed 2026-07-31\n[7] [Hugh Blackwell's Biography](https://justfacts.votesmart.org/candidate/biography/57758/hugh-blackwell) - Vote Smart, accessed 2026-07-31\n[8] [An expansive NC elections bill has voters worried about privacy and identity theft](https://ncnewsline.com/2025/07/31/an-expansive-nc-elections-bill-has-voters-worried-about-privacy-and-identity-theft/) - NC Newsline, accessed 2026-07-31\n[9] [Amendment to elect State Board of Education members moves forward in NC House](https://ncnewsline.com/2026/05/19/amendment-to-elect-state-board-of-education-members-moves-forward-in-nc-house/) - NC Newsline, accessed 2026-07-31\n[10] [House Bill 959 / S.L. 2025-38 - Various Education Changes](https://www.ncleg.gov/BillLookUp/2025/H959) - North Carolina General Assembly, accessed 2026-07-31\n[11] [House Bill 1104 / S.L. 2026-38 - Improve IVC Process and Enhance Public Safety](https://www.ncleg.gov/BillLookUp/2025/H1104) - North Carolina General Assembly, accessed 2026-07-31\n[12] [House Bill 850 / S.L. 2025-74 - Interbasin Transfer Moratorium/Study](https://www.ncleg.gov/BillLookUp/2025/H850) - North Carolina General Assembly, accessed 2026-07-31\n[13] [House Bill 231 / S.L. 2025-7 - Social Work Interstate Licensure Compact](https://www.ncleg.gov/BillLookUp/2025/H231) - North Carolina General Assembly, accessed 2026-07-31\n[14] [House Bill 958 - Election Law Changes](https://www.ncleg.gov/BillLookUp/2025/H958) - North Carolina General Assembly, accessed 2026-07-31","birthdate":null,"firstname":"Hugh","fullname":"Hugh Allen Blackwell","lastname":"Blackwell","middlename":"Allen","suffix":null,"summary":"Hugh Allen Blackwell, a Republican, is the incumbent NC House Representative for District\u202f86 seeking re\u2011election in 2026.","token":"c64d00273ffba0fc"},{"bio_snippet":"Kenneth J. Blackwell\u202fJr., a career law\u2011enforcement officer, is the Republican candidate for Wake County Sheriff in 2026, running on a platform of faster response, drug crackdowns, and community\u2011focused policing.","biography":"Kenneth Judson Blackwell\u202fJr. is the Republican candidate for Wake County Sheriff in the 2026 general election, scheduled for November\u202f3,\u202f2026. The sheriff\u2019s office in Wake County is the chief law\u2011enforcement agency for the county, responsible for operating the county jail, providing court security, serving civil processes, and overseeing public safety initiatives such as traffic enforcement and emergency response. The office requires a candidate to be a resident of the county, meet age and citizenship qualifications, and possess a background in law enforcement or related public\u2011service experience. Blackwell meets these statutory requirements and, after the March\u202f3,\u202f2026 Republican primary was canceled, advanced automatically to the November ballot alongside incumbent Democrat Willie Rowe [4].\n\nBorn on September\u202f7,\u202f1962, Blackwell grew up in the Fowler\u2019s Crossroads community outside Rolesville, North Carolina. He married his high\u2011school sweetheart Deborah Fuller in 1982; the couple raised two daughters and later welcomed two grandchildren before Deborah\u2019s death in January\u202f2021. In November\u202f2022 he married Cheryl Parrish, a longtime friend and classmate. Outside of his career, Blackwell enjoys fishing, reading, drawing, and spending time with his wife and their dog Milo [12].\n\nBlackwell\u2019s professional life has been spent entirely in law\u2011enforcement. He began as a Wake County Deputy, later served as a U.S. Marshal, and is currently an Investigator with the North Carolina State Capitol Police. These roles have given him experience in criminal investigations, federal\u2011state coordination, and community policing. His r\u00e9sum\u00e9 is highlighted on his campaign website, which emphasizes his long\u2011standing commitment to public safety and his familiarity with the challenges facing Wake County [12].\n\nThe campaign platform, as outlined on his website, focuses on several priority areas: reducing emergency response times; cracking down on fentanyl and other opioids; rescuing victims of human trafficking; expanding mental\u2011health services; increasing salaries for deputies and detention officers; and promoting a community\u2011focused approach to public safety. Blackforce also pledges transparency, accountability, and accessibility for both citizens and department employees if elected [4][12].\n\nBlackwell\u2019s contact information for voters includes an email address (kenny@kenny4wake.com) provided on the Ballotpedia page, and his campaign website (https://kenny4wake.com/) offers additional details and a means for supporters to get involved [4][12].\n\n## Sources\n- [4] [Kenny Blackwell - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Kenny_Blackwell)\n- [5] [Kenneth Blackwell - NCDOJ](https://ncdoj.gov/officers/kenneth-blackwell/)\n- [12] [Kenny Blackwell for Wake County Sheriff](https://kenny4wake.com/)","birthdate":null,"firstname":"Kenneth","fullname":"Kenneth Judson Blackwell JR","lastname":"Blackwell","middlename":"Judson","suffix":"JR","summary":"Kenneth J. Blackwell\u202fJr., a career law\u2011enforcement officer, is the Republican candidate for Wake County Sheriff in 2026, running on a platform of faster response, drug crackdowns, and community\u2011focused policing.","token":"0b13540f2508903c"},{"bio_snippet":"Charles Blackwood is the incumbent Orange County Sheriff in North Carolina, a 45-year veteran appointed to chair the Governor's Crime Commission and running for re-election.","biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\n\nAs of 2026, Charles Blackwood serves as Sheriff of Orange County, North Carolina, having won the Democratic primary for a fourth term with 58.41% of the vote over challenger David LaBarre [13]. He will appear on the November 3, 2026 general-election ballot [6][13]. Blackwood's campaign emphasizes \"institutional knowledge\" and accountability, citing his tenure as key to continuity in the office [4][15].\n\nIn March 2025, Governor Josh Stein appointed Blackwood to chair the North Carolina Governor's Crime Commission [1][10][11][12]. He also became President of the North Carolina Sheriffs' Association in 2025 [5][9].\n\n## Background and education\n\nBlackwood is a 45-year veteran of the Orange County Sheriff's Office, according to his campaign biography [2]. He began his law-enforcement career as a patrol deputy in 1980 and was later promoted to Captain of Services and Major of Operations before his first election as sheriff [13]. He is featured as a public-safety profile subject on the website of Wake Forest University's School of Professional Studies [7]; the page does not describe a specific faculty or advisory-board title for him.\n\n## Career\n\nBefore and during his time as sheriff, Blackwood rose through the ranks of the Orange County Sheriff's Office over a 45-year career, per his campaign's own account [2][13]. He was elected President of the North Carolina Sheriffs' Association in 2025 [5][9] and, separately, was appointed by Governor Stein to chair the North Carolina Governor's Crime Commission the same year [1][10][11][12]. In a February 2026 interview, Blackwood discussed his platform and record as he sought re-election [8].\n\n## Office history\n\nBlackwood was first elected Orange County Sheriff in 2014, narrowly defeating David Caldwell [13]. He won a second term in 2018 after defeating Tony White in the Democratic primary [13], and ran unopposed for a third term in 2022 [13]. In the 2026 Democratic primary, he defeated David LaBarre with 58.41% of the vote, securing a fourth term [6][13].\n\n## Legislative record and accomplishments\n\nAs county sheriff, Blackwood does not sponsor legislation or cast votes in the North Carolina General Assembly; his policy influence runs through executive leadership and the advisory roles described above. As President of the North Carolina Sheriffs' Association, he leads the state's primary sheriffs' advocacy organization [5][9][14]. He has emphasized \"institutional knowledge\" and accountability as central to his approach to public safety and community trust [4][15].\n\n## Sources\n[1] [Orange County Sheriff Tapped to Serve as Chairman of Governor's Crime Commission \u2013 NC DPS](https://www.ncdps.gov/news/press-releases/2025/03/20/orange-county-sheriff-tapped-serve-chairman-governors-crime-commission)\n[2] [About Charles \u2013 Re-Elect Charles Blackwood Sheriff of Orange County](https://www.blackwoodforsheriff.com/about)\n[3] [News \u2013 Re-Elect Charles Blackwood Sheriff of Orange County](https://www.blackwoodforsheriff.com/news)\n[4] [Q&A: Blackwood campaigns on accountability, building trust \u2013 newsoforange.com](https://www.newsoforange.com/community/article_db9798c4-949c-4f3e-bfb4-f7105e92aa98.html)\n[5] [Sheriff Blackwood picked to be President of N.C. Sheriffs' Association \u2013 newsoforange.com](https://www.newsoforange.com/community/article_ffa14170-0ce8-11ed-8631-13604401c2a3.html)\n[6] [Incumbent Charles Blackwood projected to win Democratic primary for Orange County Sheriff \u2013 Daily Tar Heel](https://www.dailytarheel.com/article/city-orange-county-sherrif-breakings-20260304)\n[7] [Sheriff Charles Blackwood \u2013 School of Professional Studies at Wake Forest University](https://sps.wfu.edu/profiles/sheriff-charles-blackwood/)\n[8] [A conversation with Sheriff Charles Blackwood, who is running for re-election in Orange County \u2013 thecarrborean.com](https://www.thecarrborean.com/a-conversation-with-sheriff-charles-blackwood-who-is-running-for-re-election-in-orange-county/)\n[9] [Orange County Sheriff Charles Blackwood Becomes President of North Carolina Sheriffs' Association \u2013 The Local Reporter](https://thelocalreporter.press/orange-county-sheriff-charles-blackwood-becomes-president-of-north-carolina-sheriffs-association/)\n[10] [Orange County Sheriff Blackwood Appointed to Chair of North Carolina Governor's Crime Commission \u2013 Chapelboro.com](https://chapelboro.com/news/state-news/orange-county-sheriff-blackwood-appointed-to-chair-of-north-carolina-governors-crime-commission)\n[11] [Governor Stein Appoints Orange County Sheriff Charles Blackwood Chair of Crime Commission \u2013 ocsonc.com](https://www.ocsonc.com/press-release-archive-1/governor-stein-appoints-orange-county-sheriff-charles-blackwood-chair-of-crime-commission)\n[12] [Veteran lawman leads crime advisory panel \u2013 North Carolina Lawyers Weekly](https://nclawyersweekly.com/2025/03/24/veteran-lawman-leads-crime-advisory-panel/)\n[13] [Charles Blackwood Earns Election to Fourth Term as Orange County Sheriff Following Primary Win \u2013 Chapelboro.com](https://chapelboro.com/local-election-coverage/charles-blackwood-earns-election-to-fourth-term-as-orange-county-sheriff)\n[14] [Charles Blackwood \u2013 IndyWeek](https://indyweek.com/news/politics/elections/charles-blackwood/)\n[15] [Q&A: Orange County Sheriff candidate Charles Blackwood says 'institutional knowledge is critical' \u2013 Daily Tar Heel](https://dailytarheel.com/article/city-sheriff-charles-blackwood-elections-qanda-20260224)","birthdate":null,"firstname":"Charles","fullname":"Charles Stuart Blackwood","lastname":"Blackwood","middlename":"Stuart","suffix":null,"summary":"Charles Blackwood is the incumbent Orange County Sheriff in North Carolina, a 45-year veteran appointed to chair the Governor's Crime Commission and running for re-election.","token":"a9f10715525175f4"},{"bio_snippet":"Independent candidate for Lewis County Mayor, running a second time after a 21-vote loss in 2022. Platform: communication, planning, stronger county services, no reflexive tax hikes.","biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\nShane Blackwood is an independent candidate for Lewis County Mayor on the August 6, 2026 county general ballot, running against Republican nominee James \"Ryan\" Skelton [1][2]. Blackwood describes himself as \"not a polished politician\" but \"an everyday working man, a family man, and someone who truly loves this county and the people in it\" [1]. He has said his top priorities are communication, planning, and strengthening basic county services, emphasizing that residents want to feel informed and included, to know what decisions are being made, and to be able to reach their county leadership [1]. On taxes, he has said, \"I am not for raising taxes unless it is absolutely necessary, clearly justified, and handled with full transparency,\" and that county government should operate efficiently and cut waste [1].\n\n## Office history\nBlackwood previously ran for Lewis County Mayor in 2022, narrowly losing to incumbent Jonah Keltner, who received 1,364 votes to Blackwood's 1,343 \u2014 a margin of 21 votes [3][4].\n\n## Sources\n[1] [Blackwood Announces Candidacy for Lewis County Mayor - Lewis County Herald](https://www.lewisherald.com/story/2026/05/14/business/blackwood-announces-candidacy-for-lewis-county-mayor/12201.html) - accessed 2026-07-23\n[2] [Meet Lewis County's 2026 Mayoral Candidates - Lewis County Herald](https://www.lewisherald.com/story/2026/04/09/news/meet-lewis-countys-2026-mayoral-candidates/11974.html) - accessed 2026-07-23\n[3] [Blackwood announces candidacy for County Mayor - Lewis County Herald](https://www.lewisherald.com/story/2022/06/16/news/blackwood-announces-candidacy-for-county-mayor/4620.html) - accessed 2026-07-23\n[4] [2022 Election Results - Lewis County Herald](https://www.lewisherald.com/story/2022/08/11/news/2022-election-results/4913.html) - accessed 2026-07-23","birthdate":null,"firstname":"Shane","fullname":"Shane Blackwood","lastname":"Blackwood","middlename":null,"suffix":null,"summary":"Independent candidate for Lewis County Mayor, running a second time after a 21-vote loss in 2022. Platform: communication, planning, stronger county services, no reflexive tax hikes.","token":"rqwWigq8zB"},{"bio_snippet":"","biography":null,"birthdate":null,"firstname":"JEFFREY","fullname":"JEFFREY BLAIR","lastname":"BLAIR","middlename":null,"suffix":null,"summary":null,"token":"pEgsLVc0sm"}]