County

County Commissioner, Pender County

District 02

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

Ryan Collins

Republican

Marine Corps training specialist; retired Marine lieutenant colonel

The gist

Supports canceling the Flock contract if safeguards fall short
Opposes routine density rezonings where infrastructure falls short
Supports the amendment limiting local property tax increases
Proposes pursuing grants to extend county water and sewer
Opposes local sales tax or toll for Cape Fear bridge

More about Ryan

View sources (1)

Supports canceling the Flock contract if safeguards fall short
Ryan Collins 2026 Candidate questionnaire
Candidate questionnaire · Port City Daily · portcitydaily.com
“I will have no hesitation supporting changes to the program, including canceling the contract if necessary.”
Opposes routine density rezonings where infrastructure falls short
Ryan Collins 2026 Candidate questionnaire
Candidate questionnaire · Port City Daily · portcitydaily.com
“I do not believe we should routinely increase density through rezoning”
Supports the amendment limiting local property tax increases
Ryan Collins 2026 Candidate questionnaire
Candidate questionnaire · Port City Daily · portcitydaily.com
“Yes, I support the constitutional amendment.”
Proposes pursuing grants to extend county water and sewer
Ryan Collins 2026 Candidate questionnaire
Candidate questionnaire · Port City Daily · portcitydaily.com
“I would aggressively pursue state and federal grants, low-interest infrastructure financing”
Opposes local sales tax or toll for Cape Fear bridge
Ryan Collins 2026 Candidate questionnaire
Candidate questionnaire · Port City Daily · portcitydaily.com
“I oppose asking Pender County residents to pay for the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge through either a new local sales tax or a toll.”

Brookey Hardee

Democratic

Financial institution strategic consultant

The gist

Opposes the amendment limiting local property tax increases
Proposes an independent review of the 2026 revaluation
Supports reviewing the Flock contract and its exit cost
Supports making school funding a top county budget priority
Supports rethinking the county's water sources

More about Brookey

View sources (1)

Opposes the amendment limiting local property tax increases
Brookey Hardee 2026 Candidate questionnaire
Candidate questionnaire · Port City Daily · portcitydaily.com
“No, I do not. If this passes, Pender County could lose an essential revenue stream”
Proposes an independent review of the 2026 revaluation
Brookey Hardee 2026 Candidate questionnaire
Candidate questionnaire · Port City Daily · portcitydaily.com
“would like to get another, unbiased review before we put an unnecessary strain on our residents”
Supports reviewing the Flock contract and its exit cost
Brookey Hardee 2026 Candidate questionnaire
Candidate questionnaire · Port City Daily · portcitydaily.com
“I am not sure that the Flock cameras are the best solution.”
Supports making school funding a top county budget priority
Brookey Hardee 2026 Candidate questionnaire
Candidate questionnaire · Port City Daily · portcitydaily.com
“work together to ensure school funding is always a top priority for the budget”
Supports rethinking the county's water sources
Brookey Hardee 2026 Candidate questionnaire
Candidate questionnaire · Port City Daily · portcitydaily.com
“We must rethink how and where we source the water for our community.”

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.