County

County Commissioner, Cabarrus County

Vote for: 3
Term: 4 years
Candidates: 7
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.

Candidates Compare by issue

James N. Bailey

Republican

Assistant director of campus health, safety and security, Rowan-Cabarrus Community College

The gist

Supports expanding water, sewer, school and road capacity
Supports economic incentive grants to recruit businesses
Supports the highest possible teacher supplement, not merit-based
Supports slow extension of water and sewer into rural areas
Pledges to restore trust in the Board of Commissioners

More about James

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Supports expanding water, sewer, school and road capacity
2026 County Commissioner Candidate Questionnaire: James Bailey
Candidate questionnaire · Inform Cabarrus · Aug 27, 2026 · informcabarrus.org
“begin the process of expanding water/sewer capacities, school funding, and road projects”
Supports economic incentive grants to recruit businesses
2026 County Commissioner Candidate Questionnaire: James Bailey
Candidate questionnaire · Inform Cabarrus · Aug 27, 2026 · informcabarrus.org
“I am also an advocate for the use of economic incentive grants to support business growth.”
Supports the highest possible teacher supplement, not merit-based
2026 County Commissioner Candidate Questionnaire: James Bailey
Candidate questionnaire · Inform Cabarrus · Aug 27, 2026 · informcabarrus.org
“we need to ensure that our county teachers are provided with the highest supplement possible and one that is not merit based”
Supports slow extension of water and sewer into rural areas
2026 County Commissioner Candidate Questionnaire: James Bailey
Candidate questionnaire · Inform Cabarrus · Aug 27, 2026 · informcabarrus.org
“I support a very slow approach to the extension of water/sewer lines into the rural areas.”
Pledges to restore trust in the Board of Commissioners
2026 County Commissioner Candidate Questionnaire: James Bailey
Candidate questionnaire · Inform Cabarrus · Aug 27, 2026 · informcabarrus.org
“Bring trust back to the Board!”

Kristel Swayze

Republican

Owner, KS Image Solutions

The gist

Supports expanding the Rocky River wastewater treatment plant
Supports continued county funding of economic development recruiting
Supports competitive teacher supplements and long-range school planning
Pledges to protect farmland and the county's agricultural community
Supports growth paying for the demands it creates

More about Kristel

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Supports expanding the Rocky River wastewater treatment plant
2026 County Commissioner Candidate Questionnaire: Kristel Swayze
Candidate questionnaire · Inform Cabarrus · Aug 27, 2026 · informcabarrus.org
“I will support expanding the Rocky River Wastewater Treatment facility”
Supports continued county funding of economic development recruiting
2026 County Commissioner Candidate Questionnaire: Kristel Swayze
Candidate questionnaire · Inform Cabarrus · Aug 27, 2026 · informcabarrus.org
“I would support continued funding of the EDC and collaborative efforts between county leadership and each municipality”
Supports competitive teacher supplements and long-range school planning
2026 County Commissioner Candidate Questionnaire: Kristel Swayze
Candidate questionnaire · Inform Cabarrus · Aug 27, 2026 · informcabarrus.org
“Competitive teacher supplements matter because experience and stability matter in classrooms.”
Pledges to protect farmland and the county's agricultural community
2026 County Commissioner Candidate Questionnaire: Kristel Swayze
Candidate questionnaire · Inform Cabarrus · Aug 27, 2026 · informcabarrus.org
“we must protect our agricultural community to the best of our ability”
Supports growth paying for the demands it creates
2026 County Commissioner Candidate Questionnaire: Kristel Swayze
Candidate questionnaire · Inform Cabarrus · Aug 27, 2026 · informcabarrus.org
“Growth should help support the demands it creates, rather than shifting those costs onto residents.”

Dan Redding

Democratic

Software sales

The gist

Supports expanding water and sewer infrastructure for growth
Supports business incentives with clawbacks and performance milestones
Supports more varied housing, from townhomes to senior housing
Supports infill development to spare rural land
Supports county funding for teachers where the state falls short

More about Dan

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Supports expanding water and sewer infrastructure for growth
2026 County Commissioner Candidate Questionnaire: Dan Redding
Candidate questionnaire · Inform Cabarrus · Aug 27, 2026 · informcabarrus.org
“Expansion of our infrastructure, especially water & sewer, is a must.”
Supports business incentives with clawbacks and performance milestones
2026 County Commissioner Candidate Questionnaire: Dan Redding
Candidate questionnaire · Inform Cabarrus · Aug 27, 2026 · informcabarrus.org
“while including protections (such as clawbacks or performance milestones)”
Supports more varied housing, from townhomes to senior housing
2026 County Commissioner Candidate Questionnaire: Dan Redding
Candidate questionnaire · Inform Cabarrus · Aug 27, 2026 · informcabarrus.org
“need to be focused on building a diverse set of housing that will meet the needs of our community”
Supports infill development to spare rural land
2026 County Commissioner Candidate Questionnaire: Dan Redding
Candidate questionnaire · Inform Cabarrus · Aug 27, 2026 · informcabarrus.org
“One way to allow development without pushing further into rural areas is to focus on Infill Development”
Supports county funding for teachers where the state falls short
2026 County Commissioner Candidate Questionnaire: Dan Redding
Candidate questionnaire · Inform Cabarrus · Aug 27, 2026 · informcabarrus.org
“I do believe that the county is obligated to continue providing for our teachers, and make CCS the envy of the state.”

Ingrid Nurse

Democratic

The gist

Supports responsible business recruitment to grow the tax base
Supports expanding sewer capacity, with growth paying for growth
Supports competitive teacher pay
Supports expanding housing options as living costs rise
Supports preserving open space while planning for growth

More about Ingrid

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Supports responsible business recruitment to grow the tax base
2026 County Commissioner Candidate Questionnaire: Ingrid Nurse
Candidate questionnaire · Inform Cabarrus · Aug 27, 2026 · informcabarrus.org
“That is why I strongly support responsible business recruitment, because this effort will help our existing local businesses grow.”
Supports expanding sewer capacity, with growth paying for growth
2026 County Commissioner Candidate Questionnaire: Ingrid Nurse
Candidate questionnaire · Inform Cabarrus · Aug 27, 2026 · informcabarrus.org
“making sure growth helps pay for growth, rather than putting the burden on taxpayers”
Supports competitive teacher pay
2026 County Commissioner Candidate Questionnaire: Ingrid Nurse
Candidate questionnaire · Inform Cabarrus · Aug 27, 2026 · informcabarrus.org
“Also, I support competitive teacher pay.”
Supports expanding housing options as living costs rise
2026 County Commissioner Candidate Questionnaire: Ingrid Nurse
Candidate questionnaire · Inform Cabarrus · Aug 27, 2026 · informcabarrus.org
“expanding housing options as the cost of living continues to rise”
Supports preserving open space while planning for growth
2026 County Commissioner Candidate Questionnaire: Ingrid Nurse
Candidate questionnaire · Inform Cabarrus · Aug 27, 2026 · informcabarrus.org
“preserving open space where possible, and ensuring infrastructure keeps up with population needs”

Thomas Hill

Libertarian

Semi-retired journeyman electrician

The gist

Opposes business subsidies and long tax abatements
Supports new development paying more of its infrastructure costs
Supports naming school projects, costs and overruns in public
Supports property rights and density only where infrastructure exists
Pledges to avoid sloppy contracts and quiet debt

More about Thomas

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Opposes business subsidies and long tax abatements
2026 County Commissioner Candidate Questionnaire: Thomas Hill
Candidate questionnaire · Inform Cabarrus · Aug 27, 2026 · informcabarrus.org
“Do not confuse that with writing checks, long tax abatements, or deals that pick a favored firm over the shop already on the highway.”
Supports new development paying more of its infrastructure costs
2026 County Commissioner Candidate Questionnaire: Thomas Hill
Candidate questionnaire · Inform Cabarrus · Aug 27, 2026 · informcabarrus.org
“New growth should cover more of its own way through lawful fees and responsible phasing”
Supports naming school projects, costs and overruns in public
2026 County Commissioner Candidate Questionnaire: Thomas Hill
Candidate questionnaire · Inform Cabarrus · Aug 27, 2026 · informcabarrus.org
“Bond and budget votes should name projects, costs, and overruns in public.”
Supports property rights and density only where infrastructure exists
2026 County Commissioner Candidate Questionnaire: Thomas Hill
Candidate questionnaire · Inform Cabarrus · Aug 27, 2026 · informcabarrus.org
“I will defend property rights first. … Density belongs where infrastructure already exists.”
Pledges to avoid sloppy contracts and quiet debt
2026 County Commissioner Candidate Questionnaire: Thomas Hill
Candidate questionnaire · Inform Cabarrus · Aug 27, 2026 · informcabarrus.org
“I will treat every dollar like job-site money”

Phil Henry

Democratic

Retired engineer

The gist

Supports the school bond referendum on the November ballot
Pledges to bring transparency to the board's work
Supports judging business incentives by their return to residents
Supports requiring proof of benefit for tax-raising policies
Supports infrastructure analysis before approving growth

More about Phil

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Supports the school bond referendum on the November ballot
Phil Henry: candidate profile and questionnaire from The Chamber, Leading Business in Cabarrus
Candidate questionnaire · The Election Hub · theelectionhub.org
“We have a General Obligation bond on the November ballot. I fully support this measure.”
Pledges to bring transparency to the board's work
Phil Henry: candidate profile and questionnaire from The Chamber, Leading Business in Cabarrus
Candidate questionnaire · The Election Hub · theelectionhub.org
“Bring transparency to the Board's work.”
Supports judging business incentives by their return to residents
Phil Henry: candidate profile and questionnaire from The Chamber, Leading Business in Cabarrus
Candidate questionnaire · The Election Hub · theelectionhub.org
“Enticements to new business coming to CC need to be analyzed for its impact on the county”
Supports requiring proof of benefit for tax-raising policies
Phil Henry: candidate profile and questionnaire from The Chamber, Leading Business in Cabarrus
Candidate questionnaire · The Election Hub · theelectionhub.org
“Any policy that works to raise tax rates needs to empirically prove it's benefit to CC.”
Supports infrastructure analysis before approving growth
Phil Henry: candidate profile and questionnaire from The Chamber, Leading Business in Cabarrus
Candidate questionnaire · The Election Hub · theelectionhub.org
“Appropriate infrastructure analysis needs to be done to insure that potential growth is supported by infrastructure.”

Ian Patrick

RepublicanIncumbent

Architect

The gist

Supports low taxes and an efficient county government
Supports a fund reserving business-grant revenue for tax cuts
Opposes government picking business winners and losers
Supports slowing home approvals until infrastructure catches up
Opposes school budget perks like office cable TV

More about Ian

View sources (2)

Supports low taxes and an efficient county government
2026 County Commissioner Candidate Questionnaire: Ian Patrick
Candidate questionnaire · Inform Cabarrus · Aug 27, 2026 · informcabarrus.org
“Budget: Efficient government is non-negotiable. Low taxes is always the ultimate goal.”
Supports a fund reserving business-grant revenue for tax cuts
Issues
Campaign website · Ian Patrick For Cabarrus · ianwpatrick.com
“takes tax revenue from business grants and puts it in an account that can only be used to lower taxes”
Opposes government picking business winners and losers
2026 County Commissioner Candidate Questionnaire: Ian Patrick
Candidate questionnaire · Inform Cabarrus · Aug 27, 2026 · informcabarrus.org
“whether the government should be involved and pick winners and losers is another question – I prefer we get out of the way”
Supports slowing home approvals until infrastructure catches up
Issues
Campaign website · Ian Patrick For Cabarrus · ianwpatrick.com
“he reduced residential approvals by 96%, allowing the infrastructure to catch up with growth, and prioritizing commercial development”
Opposes school budget perks like office cable TV
2026 County Commissioner Candidate Questionnaire: Ian Patrick
Candidate questionnaire · Inform Cabarrus · Aug 27, 2026 · informcabarrus.org
“it's very difficult to approve budgets that include cable TV in private offices and Rotary club memberships for staff”

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; 7 issues covered in this race.