County

County Commissioner, Brunswick County

District 01

Vote for: 1
Term: 4 years
Candidates: 2
Election: Nov 3, 2026

What this office does: A county commissioner is one of the members of the board that adopts the county budget, sets the property tax rate and oversees county government.

Residency district: every voter in the county votes for this seat (the district is where the member must live; State Board March 3, 2026 primary precinct results).

Candidates Compare by issue

Gary Woods

Democratic

Retired U.S. Coast Guard finance and supply officer

The gist

Proposes a moratorium on the sheriff's Flock camera contract
Opposes approving data centers in Brunswick County
Supports a bridge toll with passes exempting residents
Supports developer proffers to pay for growth's infrastructure
Pledges accountability for PFAS settlement spending

More about Gary

View sources (1)

Proposes a moratorium on the sheriff's Flock camera contract
Gary Woods 2026 candidate questionnaire
Candidate questionnaire · Port City Daily (WECT / Port City Daily / WHQR / The Seahawk questionnaire) · portcitydaily.com
“My first step would be to put a temporary moratorium on the contract while we review how the system is being used”
Opposes approving data centers in Brunswick County
Gary Woods 2026 candidate questionnaire
Candidate questionnaire · Port City Daily (WECT / Port City Daily / WHQR / The Seahawk questionnaire) · portcitydaily.com
“I don’t believe Brunswick County should approve data centers.”
Supports a bridge toll with passes exempting residents
Gary Woods 2026 candidate questionnaire
Candidate questionnaire · Port City Daily (WECT / Port City Daily / WHQR / The Seahawk questionnaire) · portcitydaily.com
“I would support the toll, but I believe local residents should be exempt by issuing them a pass.”
Supports developer proffers to pay for growth's infrastructure
Gary Woods 2026 candidate questionnaire
Candidate questionnaire · Port City Daily (WECT / Port City Daily / WHQR / The Seahawk questionnaire) · portcitydaily.com
“One of the biggest tools we need is stronger developer proffers — requiring new developments to help pay for the infrastructure impacts they create.”
Pledges accountability for PFAS settlement spending
Gary Woods 2026 candidate questionnaire
Candidate questionnaire · Port City Daily (WECT / Port City Daily / WHQR / The Seahawk questionnaire) · portcitydaily.com
“As a commissioner, I will demand that every dollar be accounted for and used to address PFAS, protect our drinking water, and improve our infrastructure.”

Randy Thompson

RepublicanIncumbent

Brunswick County commissioner; disaster recovery consultant

The gist

Pledges to approve no additional development
Proposes reviewing sheriff's data before deciding on Flock cameras
Opposes both a toll and sales tax for the bridge
Supports a moratorium on data centers
Supports making developers pay more infrastructure costs

More about Randy

View sources (1)

Pledges to approve no additional development
Randy Thompson 2026 candidate questionnaire
Candidate questionnaire · Port City Daily (WECT / Port City Daily / WHQR / The Seahawk questionnaire) · portcitydaily.com
“I feel overdevelopment is a public safety concern and for that reason I will not approve of any additional development.”
Proposes reviewing sheriff's data before deciding on Flock cameras
Randy Thompson 2026 candidate questionnaire
Candidate questionnaire · Port City Daily (WECT / Port City Daily / WHQR / The Seahawk questionnaire) · portcitydaily.com
“We may not need the Flock system, which I will determine after the data review.”
Opposes both a toll and sales tax for the bridge
Randy Thompson 2026 candidate questionnaire
Candidate questionnaire · Port City Daily (WECT / Port City Daily / WHQR / The Seahawk questionnaire) · portcitydaily.com
“I am not in favor of the toll option or the sales tax option.”
Supports a moratorium on data centers
Randy Thompson 2026 candidate questionnaire
Candidate questionnaire · Port City Daily (WECT / Port City Daily / WHQR / The Seahawk questionnaire) · portcitydaily.com
“I would support a moratorium on data centers in Brunswick County.”
Supports making developers pay more infrastructure costs
Randy Thompson 2026 candidate questionnaire
Candidate questionnaire · Port City Daily (WECT / Port City Daily / WHQR / The Seahawk questionnaire) · portcitydaily.com
“Developers need to pay more of the infrastructure cost.”

Challengers are listed first and incumbents last; otherwise candidates appear in ballot order. The Gist does not rank, rate or endorse candidates. Only positions backed by a cited source are shown; 6 issues covered in this race.