County

County Commissioner, Gaston County

Dallas Township

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

Matt Buchanan

Democratic

Critical care worker and nursing student

The gist

Proposes mobile clinics for mental health, addiction and primary care
Supports allowing duplexes, triplexes and ADUs in served areas
Proposes surplus county land for mixed-income housing
Proposes requiring new developments to help fix traffic
Supports faster permits and inspections for small businesses

More about Matt

View sources (1)

Proposes mobile clinics for mental health, addiction and primary care
Issues & Priorities
Campaign website · Committee to Elect Matt Buchanan · mattforgc.org
“Expand mobile clinics for mental health, addiction, and primary care”
Supports allowing duplexes, triplexes and ADUs in served areas
Issues & Priorities
Campaign website · Committee to Elect Matt Buchanan · mattforgc.org
“Allow duplexes, triplexes, and ADUs in already-served areas”
Proposes surplus county land for mixed-income housing
Issues & Priorities
Campaign website · Committee to Elect Matt Buchanan · mattforgc.org
“Use surplus county land for mixed-income housing”
Proposes requiring new developments to help fix traffic
Issues & Priorities
Campaign website · Committee to Elect Matt Buchanan · mattforgc.org
“Require new developments to contribute to mobility solutions”
Supports faster permits and inspections for small businesses
Issues & Priorities
Campaign website · Committee to Elect Matt Buchanan · mattforgc.org
“Speed permits and inspections for small businesses”

Cathy Cloninger

RepublicanIncumbent

Gaston County commissioner

The gist

Pledges fiscal discipline to keep the county tax rate low
Supports keeping public safety a county priority

More about Cathy

View sources (1)

Pledges fiscal discipline to keep the county tax rate low
Cathy Cloninger for Gaston County Commissioner
Campaign website · Committee to Elect Cathy Cloninger · cathycloninger.com
“Maintain fiscal responsibility among county departments to keep the tax rate as low as possible”
Supports keeping public safety a county priority
Cathy Cloninger for Gaston County Commissioner
Campaign website · Committee to Elect Cathy Cloninger · cathycloninger.com
“Promote transparency and responsible use of resources so that public safety remains a priority for the citizens of Gaston County.”

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.