County

County Commissioner, New Hanover County

Vote for: 2
Term: 4 years
Candidates: 5
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

Bob Drach

Libertarian

Certified management accountant

The gist

Proposes cutting debt service below 10% of budget
Supports the school bond but urges future spending restraint
Supports canceling Flock contract on privacy grounds
Proposes federal review of a cheaper Memorial Bridge option
Opposes county subsidies for workforce housing projects

More about Bob

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Proposes cutting debt service below 10% of budget
Libertarian challenger Bob Drach is running for a seat on the New Hanover County Board of Commissioners
Candidate questionnaire · WHQR Public Media (WECT, Port City Daily, WHQR and The Seahawk questionnaire) · Sep 21, 2026 · whqr.org
“My priority is to get debt service under 10% of the budget, so we can spend more on services in the future.”
Supports the school bond but urges future spending restraint
Libertarian challenger Bob Drach is running for a seat on the New Hanover County Board of Commissioners
Candidate questionnaire · WHQR Public Media (WECT, Port City Daily, WHQR and The Seahawk questionnaire) · Sep 21, 2026 · whqr.org
“So, vote yes on the bond, but we also need a reality check on future spending.”
Supports canceling Flock contract on privacy grounds
Libertarian challenger Bob Drach is running for a seat on the New Hanover County Board of Commissioners
Candidate questionnaire · WHQR Public Media (WECT, Port City Daily, WHQR and The Seahawk questionnaire) · Sep 21, 2026 · whqr.org
“Yes – cancel the contract and look at all digital surveillance through a Fourth Amendment lens, which prohibits unreasonable searches.”
Proposes federal review of a cheaper Memorial Bridge option
Libertarian challenger Bob Drach is running for a seat on the New Hanover County Board of Commissioners
Candidate questionnaire · WHQR Public Media (WECT, Port City Daily, WHQR and The Seahawk questionnaire) · Sep 21, 2026 · whqr.org
“should expedite a Section 216 review of the Wilmington Harbor project to determine whether a simpler, cheaper bridge is possible”
Opposes county subsidies for workforce housing projects
Libertarian challenger Bob Drach is running for a seat on the New Hanover County Board of Commissioners
Candidate questionnaire · WHQR Public Media (WECT, Port City Daily, WHQR and The Seahawk questionnaire) · Sep 21, 2026 · whqr.org
“Though well-intentioned, subsidies like this benefit a developer and a handful of families, paid for by everyone else in the county.”

Richard M. Collier

Republican

Civil engineer

The gist

Supports the $320.5 million school bond
Opposes a tax increase without documented need
Supports canceling the county's Flock camera contract
Opposes bridge toll, favors 65-foot movable bridge design
Supports awarding workforce housing funds through open competition

More about Richard

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Supports the $320.5 million school bond
Republican challenger Richard Collier is running for a seat on the New Hanover County Board of Commissioners
Candidate questionnaire · WHQR Public Media (WECT, Port City Daily, WHQR and The Seahawk questionnaire) · Sep 22, 2026 · whqr.org
“I support the $320.5-million school bond on this year’s ballot.”
Opposes a tax increase without documented need
Republican challenger Richard Collier is running for a seat on the New Hanover County Board of Commissioners
Candidate questionnaire · WHQR Public Media (WECT, Port City Daily, WHQR and The Seahawk questionnaire) · Sep 22, 2026 · whqr.org
“I would not propose a tax increase without a clear, documented need.”
Supports canceling the county's Flock camera contract
Republican challenger Richard Collier is running for a seat on the New Hanover County Board of Commissioners
Candidate questionnaire · WHQR Public Media (WECT, Port City Daily, WHQR and The Seahawk questionnaire) · Sep 22, 2026 · whqr.org
“I support the board’s decision to cancel the Flock camera contract.”
Opposes bridge toll, favors 65-foot movable bridge design
Republican challenger Richard Collier is running for a seat on the New Hanover County Board of Commissioners
Candidate questionnaire · WHQR Public Media (WECT, Port City Daily, WHQR and The Seahawk questionnaire) · Sep 22, 2026 · whqr.org
“I oppose tolling the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge. … On the design, I favor the 65-foot movable bridge”
Supports awarding workforce housing funds through open competition
Republican challenger Richard Collier is running for a seat on the New Hanover County Board of Commissioners
Candidate questionnaire · WHQR Public Media (WECT, Port City Daily, WHQR and The Seahawk questionnaire) · Sep 22, 2026 · whqr.org
“I would keep the remaining $2 million available through an open, competitive process.”

LeShonda Wallace

Democratic

Advanced practice nurse; nonprofit founder

The gist

Supports expanding capital funding for public schools
Supports canceling Flock contract pending a public review
Supports the 65-foot movable Cape Fear Memorial Bridge design
Supports the county's Workforce Housing Development Fund
Supports funding for bus stop benches and shelters

More about LeShonda

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Supports expanding capital funding for public schools
Democratic challenger LeShonda Wallace is running for a seat on the New Hanover County Board of Commissioners
Candidate questionnaire · WHQR Public Media (WECT, Port City Daily, WHQR and The Seahawk questionnaire) · Sep 21, 2026 · whqr.org
“Yes, I fully support expanding capital resources for our public education system.”
Supports canceling Flock contract pending a public review
Democratic challenger LeShonda Wallace is running for a seat on the New Hanover County Board of Commissioners
Candidate questionnaire · WHQR Public Media (WECT, Port City Daily, WHQR and The Seahawk questionnaire) · Sep 21, 2026 · whqr.org
“In July 2026, I publicly recommended canceling the contract and conducting a transparent public review before any further consideration.”
Supports the 65-foot movable Cape Fear Memorial Bridge design
Democratic challenger LeShonda Wallace is running for a seat on the New Hanover County Board of Commissioners
Candidate questionnaire · WHQR Public Media (WECT, Port City Daily, WHQR and The Seahawk questionnaire) · Sep 21, 2026 · whqr.org
“With what has been presented, I favor Alternative A”
Supports the county's Workforce Housing Development Fund
Democratic challenger LeShonda Wallace is running for a seat on the New Hanover County Board of Commissioners
Candidate questionnaire · WHQR Public Media (WECT, Port City Daily, WHQR and The Seahawk questionnaire) · Sep 21, 2026 · whqr.org
“I support the Workforce Housing Development Fund as it will help increase the supply of housing affordable to working households.”
Supports funding for bus stop benches and shelters
Democratic challenger LeShonda Wallace is running for a seat on the New Hanover County Board of Commissioners
Candidate questionnaire · WHQR Public Media (WECT, Port City Daily, WHQR and The Seahawk questionnaire) · Sep 21, 2026 · whqr.org
“I do support funding for public transportation benches and shelters.”

Rob Zapple

DemocraticIncumbent

New Hanover County commissioner; general contractor

The gist

Supports the $320.5 million school bond
Supported a modest tax increase over one-time reserves
Supported canceling the county's Flock license-plate camera contract
Opposes a toll to fund the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge
Supports the county's Workforce Housing Development Fund

More about Rob

View sources (1)

Supports the $320.5 million school bond
Democrat Rob Zapple is running for reelection to the New Hanover County Board of Commissioners
Candidate questionnaire · WHQR Public Media (WECT, Port City Daily, WHQR and The Seahawk questionnaire) · Sep 21, 2026 · whqr.org
“I support the $320.5-million school bond because New Hanover County has significant needs involving aging facilities, deferred maintenance, safety and capacity.”
Supported a modest tax increase over one-time reserves
Democrat Rob Zapple is running for reelection to the New Hanover County Board of Commissioners
Candidate questionnaire · WHQR Public Media (WECT, Port City Daily, WHQR and The Seahawk questionnaire) · Sep 21, 2026 · whqr.org
“During the 2026 budget process, I supported looking at a modest tax increase rather than relying on one-time money or additional borrowing.”
Supported canceling the county's Flock license-plate camera contract
Democrat Rob Zapple is running for reelection to the New Hanover County Board of Commissioners
Candidate questionnaire · WHQR Public Media (WECT, Port City Daily, WHQR and The Seahawk questionnaire) · Sep 21, 2026 · whqr.org
“I supported the board's Sept. 8 decision to cancel the county's Flock contract.”
Opposes a toll to fund the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge
Democrat Rob Zapple is running for reelection to the New Hanover County Board of Commissioners
Candidate questionnaire · WHQR Public Media (WECT, Port City Daily, WHQR and The Seahawk questionnaire) · Sep 21, 2026 · whqr.org
“I do not support putting the entire burden of replacing this regional bridge on local residents through a toll.”
Supports the county's Workforce Housing Development Fund
Democrat Rob Zapple is running for reelection to the New Hanover County Board of Commissioners
Candidate questionnaire · WHQR Public Media (WECT, Port City Daily, WHQR and The Seahawk questionnaire) · Sep 21, 2026 · whqr.org
“I support the Workforce Housing Development Fund and the approach of using public dollars to leverage additional private investment”

LeAnn Pierce

RepublicanIncumbent

Chair, New Hanover County Board of Commissioners

The gist

Supports the $320 million school bond
Supported keeping the county tax rate at 30.6 cents
Voted to cancel the county's Flock license-plate camera contract
Opposes tolling the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge
Supports the Workforce Housing Development Fund and homeownership

More about LeAnn

View sources (1)

Supports the $320 million school bond
Republican LeAnn Pierce is running for reelection to the New Hanover County Board of Commissioners
Candidate questionnaire · WHQR Public Media (WECT, Port City Daily, WHQR and The Seahawk questionnaire) · Sep 21, 2026 · whqr.org
“I support the $320-million school bond on the ballot this November.”
Supported keeping the county tax rate at 30.6 cents
Republican LeAnn Pierce is running for reelection to the New Hanover County Board of Commissioners
Candidate questionnaire · WHQR Public Media (WECT, Port City Daily, WHQR and The Seahawk questionnaire) · Sep 21, 2026 · whqr.org
“our current tax rate is sufficient to provide the core services our citizens expect, and I supported keeping it at 30.6 cents this year”
Voted to cancel the county's Flock license-plate camera contract
Republican LeAnn Pierce is running for reelection to the New Hanover County Board of Commissioners
Candidate questionnaire · WHQR Public Media (WECT, Port City Daily, WHQR and The Seahawk questionnaire) · Sep 21, 2026 · whqr.org
“Yes, I support the board’s decision and that is why I voted for it.”
Opposes tolling the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge
Republican LeAnn Pierce is running for reelection to the New Hanover County Board of Commissioners
Candidate questionnaire · WHQR Public Media (WECT, Port City Daily, WHQR and The Seahawk questionnaire) · Sep 21, 2026 · whqr.org
“I have consistently opposed tolling the bridge.”
Supports the Workforce Housing Development Fund and homeownership
Republican LeAnn Pierce is running for reelection to the New Hanover County Board of Commissioners
Candidate questionnaire · WHQR Public Media (WECT, Port City Daily, WHQR and The Seahawk questionnaire) · Sep 21, 2026 · whqr.org
“I support the Workforce Housing Development Fund because I believe we need creative ways to help working families afford to live in New Hanover 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; 5 issues covered in this race.