Your New Hanover County ballot

Background & approach: “Hi, I am Bob Drach. Vote for me for New Hanover County Commissioner, because I believe that good financial management makes for good government.” (Ballotpedia (secondary source))

Campaign priorities: “This is where we spend the sales and property taxes collected by the county. Protect green space as growth maxes out.” (Ballotpedia (secondary source))

Policy focus: “I've been a teacher and served in the US Peace Corps, so education and public service are core values of mine.” (Ballotpedia (secondary source))

Background & approach: “I am a wife, mother, grandmother, retired small business owner, and longtime public servant with deep roots in southeastern North Carolina.” (Ballotpedia (secondary source))

Campaign priorities: “As New Hanover County continues to grow, we must recognize the pressure rising costs place on families, seniors, and small businesses.” (Ballotpedia (secondary source))

Policy focus: “I am passionate about policies that protect our quality of life while preparing responsibly for the future.” (Ballotpedia (secondary source))

Background & approach: “I am a life-long Wilmington resident who practiced law locally as a trial attorney for 33 years before becoming elected a Superior Court Judge in 2018.” (Ballotpedia (secondary source))

Campaign priorities: “Voters do not have to take my word for what kind of Judge I would be, they can look at my record and tell what kind of Judge I have been.” (Ballotpedia (secondary source))

Policy focus: “I believe that individuals should be secure in their person and possessions as a foundation for the enjoyment of the rights guaranteed us.” (Ballotpedia (secondary source))

Background & approach: “I am a prosecutor, former journalist, mom, and community advocate running for District Court Judge in the 6th Judicial District (New Hanover and Pender counties).” (Ballotpedia (secondary source))

Campaign priorities: “My guiding philosophy is to approach every case with fairness, predictability, and humility because trust in our legal system is earned with integrity and character.” (Ballotpedia (secondary source))

Policy focus: “I am passionate about public safety, juvenile law, and expanded support for individuals and veterans facing addiction and mental health challenges.” (Ballotpedia (secondary source))

Campaign priorities: “Center high-quality instruction" My goal for NHC Schools center on ensuring that all students receive high-quality instruction and are academically equipped for their future, whether that path includes postsecondary education, military service, or entering the workforce.” (Ballotpedia (secondary source))

Policy focus: “I am passionate about public policies that strengthen public education and student outcomes.” (Ballotpedia (secondary source))

Background & approach: “My name is Josie Barnhart and I am a current member of the New Hanover County Board of Education running for reelection.” (Ballotpedia (secondary source))

Campaign priorities: “I helped secure funding for Advanced Teaching Roles into NHCS and for the last 2 years, 565 at risk students have been provided that support with a highly effective teacher, continuing this trend will allow academics to thrive.” (Ballotpedia (secondary source))

Policy focus: “One of the biggest things I will continue to advocate for is a legislative agenda.” (Ballotpedia (secondary source))

Campaign priorities: “I didn’t get involved with politics for personal gain, I recognized that our system was broken and it takes someone with intimate knowledge of our district and those who work in it to fix it.” (Ballotpedia (secondary source))

Policy focus: “We do not have a blank check to spend on everything that sounds like a good idea and every expenditure should be analyzed to ensure we get the most out of our funds provided by taxpayers.” (Ballotpedia (secondary source))

Background & approach: “My name is Brittnei LaRue, and I’m a parent, community advocate, and financial professional running for the New Hanover County Board of Education.” (Ballotpedia (secondary source))

Campaign priorities: “TRUST & TRANSPARENCY: Open decisions, clear communication and accountability to our community. SHARED PARTNERSHIPS: Building strong schools through collaboration-where educators, families and the community are respected partners from the start in decisions that impact students.” (Ballotpedia (secondary source))

Policy focus: “I am passionate about public policies that strengthen PreK–12 public education through responsible governance, fiscal accountability, and transparency.” (Ballotpedia (secondary source))

Background & approach: “I learned firsthand the connection between healthy soil, clean water and healthy land. Now, as a Wilmington resident, I’m seeing the environmental challenges that come with a growing coastal community.” (Ballotpedia (secondary source))

Campaign priorities: “Clean Water: Support efforts to protect local waterways and drinking-water sources, address PFAS and other pollutants, and strengthen community understanding of water quality in our own backyards.” (Ballotpedia (secondary source))

Policy focus: “Preservation of our natural resources, Clean water, air and sustainable balanced growth for a thriving, resilient city in a fragile and dangerous coastal region.” (Ballotpedia (secondary source))

Background & approach: “I'm a known and proven environmental advocate, active in multiple local organizations, including as chair of the local Sierra Club.” (Ballotpedia (secondary source))

Campaign priorities: “My current work in environmental advocacy has focused on increasing community engagement through organization, mobilization and communication.” (Ballotpedia (secondary source))

Policy focus: “We need complete understanding of our local natural resources throughout the area, so that as we grow, we can predict the risks to the nearby areas and the broader community.” (Ballotpedia (secondary source))