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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.

CandidatesCompare by issue

Taxes & budget

  • Bob DrachLibertarian

    • Proposes cutting debt service below 10% of budget

  • Richard M. CollierRepublican

    • Opposes a tax increase without documented need

  • LeShonda WallaceDemocratic

    No documented position found.

  • Rob ZappleDemocratic

    • Supported a modest tax increase over one-time reserves

  • LeAnn PierceRepublican

    • Supported keeping the county tax rate at 30.6 cents

Public safety

  • Bob DrachLibertarian

    • Supports canceling Flock contract on privacy grounds

  • Richard M. CollierRepublican

    • Supports canceling the county's Flock camera contract

  • LeShonda WallaceDemocratic

    • Supports canceling Flock contract pending a public review

  • Rob ZappleDemocratic

    • Supported canceling the county's Flock license-plate camera contract

  • LeAnn PierceRepublican

    • Voted to cancel the county's Flock license-plate camera contract

Education

  • Bob DrachLibertarian

    • Supports the school bond but urges future spending restraint

  • Richard M. CollierRepublican

    • Supports the $320.5 million school bond

  • LeShonda WallaceDemocratic

    • Supports expanding capital funding for public schools

  • Rob ZappleDemocratic

    • Supports the $320.5 million school bond

  • LeAnn PierceRepublican

    • Supports the $320 million school bond

Housing

  • Bob DrachLibertarian

    • Opposes county subsidies for workforce housing projects

  • Richard M. CollierRepublican

    • Supports awarding workforce housing funds through open competition

  • LeShonda WallaceDemocratic

    • Supports the county's Workforce Housing Development Fund

  • Rob ZappleDemocratic

    • Supports the county's Workforce Housing Development Fund

  • LeAnn PierceRepublican

    • Supports the Workforce Housing Development Fund and homeownership

Roads & infrastructure

  • Bob DrachLibertarian

    • Proposes federal review of a cheaper Memorial Bridge option

  • Richard M. CollierRepublican

    • Opposes bridge toll, favors 65-foot movable bridge design

  • LeShonda WallaceDemocratic

    • Supports the 65-foot movable Cape Fear Memorial Bridge design
    • Supports funding for bus stop benches and shelters

  • Rob ZappleDemocratic

    • Opposes a toll to fund the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge

  • LeAnn PierceRepublican

    • Opposes tolling the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge

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.