County

County Commissioner, Person County

Vote for: 2
Term: 4 years
Candidates: 3
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

Jimmy Wilkins

Republican

Retired teacher and farmer

The gist

Pledges fiscal responsibility as his top priority
Supports close budget review to hold waste to a minimum
Supports controlled growth that protects farmland
Supports involving younger residents in county decisions

More about Jimmy

View sources (1)

Pledges fiscal responsibility as his top priority
Candidates vying for four-year seats answer C-T's questions
Candidate questionnaire · The Courier-Times · personcountylife.com
“If elected the top priority during my term would be fiscal responsibility.”
Supports close budget review to hold waste to a minimum
Candidates vying for four-year seats answer C-T's questions
Candidate questionnaire · The Courier-Times · personcountylife.com
“I believe budgets should be carefully analyzed and waste held to a minimum.”
Supports controlled growth that protects farmland
Candidates vying for four-year seats answer C-T's questions
Candidate questionnaire · The Courier-Times · personcountylife.com
“We must focus on controlled growth. … We need to protect our farmland and be aware of conservation practices.”
Supports involving younger residents in county decisions
Candidates vying for four-year seats answer C-T's questions
Candidate questionnaire · The Courier-Times · personcountylife.com
“Another priority of mine is to get our younger people involved in decision making.”

Donald Long

Republican

Owner, Long Inc. (paving and construction)

The gist

Supports lowering the tax rate and county spending
Supports a framework to cut the county budget 20%
Supports resources to hire and keep county paramedics
Supports developing industrial sites to grow the tax base

More about Donald

View sources (1)

Supports lowering the tax rate and county spending
Candidates vying for four-year seats answer C-T's questions
Candidate questionnaire · The Courier-Times · personcountylife.com
“Reducing the tax rate, reducing spending and reducing the “growth of government” is vital.”
Supports a framework to cut the county budget 20%
Candidates vying for four-year seats answer C-T's questions
Candidate questionnaire · The Courier-Times · personcountylife.com
“I requested the county manager to provide me with a framework to reduce our current budget by 20%”
Supports resources to hire and keep county paramedics
Candidates vying for four-year seats answer C-T's questions
Candidate questionnaire · The Courier-Times · personcountylife.com
“I am aware EMS will need additional resources to hire additional paramedics and retain those we currently have on staff.”
Supports developing industrial sites to grow the tax base
Candidates vying for four-year seats answer C-T's questions
Candidate questionnaire · The Courier-Times · personcountylife.com
“Person County should consider growing the industrial tax base by developing industrial sites and buildings while partnering with and attracting private investment.”

Ricky Hughes

Democratic

Retired Roxboro Police Department captain

The gist

Pledges active listening and transparency on the board

More about Ricky

View sources (1)

Pledges active listening and transparency on the board
Democrat joins sheriff's race
News coverage · The Courier-Times · personcountylife.com
“To me, service means active listening, transparency and doing what is right 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; 4 issues covered in this race.