County

County Commissioner, Catawba County

Vote for: 3
Term: 4 years
Candidates: 6
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

Sherry Edmonds Butler

Republican

Retired; former executive director, Green Room Community Theatre

The gist

Supports merging the county's three school systems
Supports more sheriff's patrols and EMS as the county grows
Supports a Sherrills Ford community college campus with early college
Supports diverse housing for first-time buyers through zoning
Supports vetting new industry for strain on utilities and water

More about Sherry

View sources (4)

Supports merging the county's three school systems
What do Catawba County Board of Commissioner candidates think about merging school systems?
News coverage · Hickory Daily Record · Feb 18, 2026 · hickoryrecord.com
“I support the merger because it is a better use of our tax dollars”
Supports more sheriff's patrols and EMS as the county grows
How do county commissioner candidates envision growth in Catawba County? Read their answers.
News coverage · Hickory Daily Record · Feb 13, 2026 · hickoryrecord.com
“it is imperative that we adequately fund the Sheriff's Department to ensure sufficient road patrols, lake patrols, investigators, and necessary equipment”
Supports a Sherrills Ford community college campus with early college
Question for county candidates: What industries should Catawba County try to attract?
News coverage · Hickory Daily Record · Feb 20, 2026 · hickoryrecord.com
“establishing a campus in Sherrills Ford, including an Early College program for traditional and homeschooled high school students”
Supports diverse housing for first-time buyers through zoning
2026 primary election: Catawba County commissioner candidates answer questions about top issues
Candidate questionnaire · WBTV · Feb 13, 2026 · wbtv.com
“I will address housing affordability by supporting diverse, well-built housing—especially for first-time buyers”
Supports vetting new industry for strain on utilities and water
Question for county candidates: What industries should Catawba County try to attract?
News coverage · Hickory Daily Record · Feb 20, 2026 · hickoryrecord.com
“provided that growth does not strain our utilities or water resources or increase costs for our citizens”

Jesse Alden

Democratic

The gist

No documented position found.

More about Jesse

Jay Moore

Republican

Business owner; life and retirement specialist

The gist

Supports merging the county's three school systems
Supports making school construction the top growth priority
Supports infrastructure such as rail links that attract blue-collar jobs

More about Jay

View sources (3)

Supports merging the county's three school systems
What do Catawba County Board of Commissioner candidates think about merging school systems?
News coverage · Hickory Daily Record · Feb 18, 2026 · hickoryrecord.com
“I strongly favor merging the three school systems because it would benefit both students and teachers.”
Supports making school construction the top growth priority
How do county commissioner candidates envision growth in Catawba County? Read their answers.
News coverage · Hickory Daily Record · Feb 13, 2026 · hickoryrecord.com
“School Construction. I support investing in our schools and the future of the students that we serve.”
Supports infrastructure such as rail links that attract blue-collar jobs
Question for county candidates: What industries should Catawba County try to attract?
News coverage · Hickory Daily Record · Feb 20, 2026 · hickoryrecord.com
“our county benefits from infrastructure investments that attract good blue collar jobs that serve young and working families”

Phyllis Michaux

Democratic

The gist

Supports a sustainable economy and environmental protection
Pledges accountable, transparent county government

More about Phyllis

View sources (1)

Supports a sustainable economy and environmental protection
Phyllis Michaux for Catawba County Commissioner
Campaign website · Phyllis Michaux for County Commissioner · votemichaux.com
“I will support a sustainable economy and environmental protection to secure a prosperous future for our community.”
Pledges accountable, transparent county government
Phyllis Michaux for Catawba County Commissioner
Campaign website · Phyllis Michaux for County Commissioner · votemichaux.com
“maintaining an accountable and transparent government will be a top priority”

Aubrey Gregory

Democratic

Accounting professional

The gist

Pledges care for the county's water and natural resources
Supports adequate county social services
Pledges fair public access to county government decisions
Pledges to spend tax dollars where they help most

More about Aubrey

View sources (2)

Pledges care for the county's water and natural resources
Aubrey Gregory for Commissioner
Campaign website · Aubrey for Commissioner · aubreyforcommissioner.com
“Caretaking of water and natural resources.”
Supports adequate county social services
Aubrey Gregory for Commissioner
Campaign website · Aubrey for Commissioner · aubreyforcommissioner.com
“Adequate social services.”
Pledges fair public access to county government decisions
Aubrey Gregory for Commissioner
Campaign website · Aubrey for Commissioner · aubreyforcommissioner.com
“Fair access to county government decisions.”
Pledges to spend tax dollars where they help most
My Story
Campaign website · Aubrey for Commissioner · aubreyforcommissioner.com
“making sure every cent is allocated where it makes the most difference to the people of Catawba County”

Cole Terrell Setzer

RepublicanIncumbent

CPA and Army Reserve officer

The gist

Supports merging Newton-Conover City Schools, urgently but carefully
Supports school construction and public safety as growth priorities
Supports recruiting employers with strong wages and training
Pledges to keep pressing NCDOT and the state on roads

More about Cole

View sources (3)

Supports merging Newton-Conover City Schools, urgently but carefully
What do Catawba County Board of Commissioner candidates think about merging school systems?
News coverage · Hickory Daily Record · Feb 18, 2026 · hickoryrecord.com
“I believe Newton-Conover City Schools needs to merge, and we should act with urgency and care.”
Supports school construction and public safety as growth priorities
How do county commissioner candidates envision growth in Catawba County? Read their answers.
News coverage · Hickory Daily Record · Feb 13, 2026 · hickoryrecord.com
“The highest priorities are school construction and public safety.”
Supports recruiting employers with strong wages and training
Question for county candidates: What industries should Catawba County try to attract?
News coverage · Hickory Daily Record · Feb 20, 2026 · hickoryrecord.com
“I support attracting employers that offer strong wages, training, and career growth.”
Pledges to keep pressing NCDOT and the state on roads
How do county commissioner candidates envision growth in Catawba County? Read their answers.
News coverage · Hickory Daily Record · Feb 13, 2026 · hickoryrecord.com
“We will continue to advocate with NCDOT and our state partners”

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; 9 issues covered in this race.