County

County Commissioner, Rowan County

Vote for: 3
Term: 4 years
Candidates: 6
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

Hannah Addair

Democratic

Sustainability director, Catawba College Center for the Environment

The gist

Pledges to prioritize local farmers and small business owners
Opposes rapid subdivision growth on farmland and forest
Proposes a county resiliency plan and pause on deforestation
Pledges to work with educators on what schools need

More about Hannah

View sources (2)

Pledges to prioritize local farmers and small business owners
Rowan County commissioner candidates weigh in
Candidate questionnaire · Salisbury Post · Jan 4, 2026 · salisburypost.com
“I want to prioritize our farmers and small business owners.”
Opposes rapid subdivision growth on farmland and forest
Rowan County commissioner candidates weigh in
Candidate questionnaire · Salisbury Post · Jan 4, 2026 · salisburypost.com
“seeing the rapid development of subdivisions in place of what was once farmland or forest is deeply disheartening”
Proposes a county resiliency plan and pause on deforestation
FunFest gives Democratic candidates platform to speak
News coverage · Salisbury Post · Aug 10, 2026 · salisburypost.com
“a resiliency plan needs to be developed for the county”
Pledges to work with educators on what schools need
FunFest gives Democratic candidates platform to speak
News coverage · Salisbury Post · Aug 10, 2026 · salisburypost.com
“work with and collaborate with all of our educators so that I can learn what it is they need to be successful”

Alissa Redmond

Democratic

Owner, South Main Book Company

The gist

Supports a school bond if Rowan-Salisbury Schools seeks one
Opposes zoning land for AI data centers in Rowan
Supports recruiting sustainable, high-quality jobs to Rowan County
Supports steering county resources toward public school funding

More about Alissa

View sources (2)

Supports a school bond if Rowan-Salisbury Schools seeks one
Rowan County commissioner candidates weigh in
Candidate questionnaire · Salisbury Post · Jan 4, 2026 · salisburypost.com
“I will support a school bond, should the Rowan-Salisbury School System seek to raise one”
Opposes zoning land for AI data centers in Rowan
Rowan County commissioner candidates weigh in
Candidate questionnaire · Salisbury Post · Jan 4, 2026 · salisburypost.com
“I am completely against the idea of zoning land for the purpose of constructing AI data centers in Rowan County”
Supports recruiting sustainable, high-quality jobs to Rowan County
Rowan County commissioner candidates weigh in
Candidate questionnaire · Salisbury Post · Jan 4, 2026 · salisburypost.com
“I will also welcome and encourage economic development projects that bring sustainable, environmentally-friendly, high-quality jobs to this area.”
Supports steering county resources toward public school funding
FunFest gives Democratic candidates platform to speak
News coverage · Salisbury Post · Aug 10, 2026 · salisburypost.com
“putting our resources toward public school funding and not for development opportunities that include hyperscale AI”

Ray Pope

Democratic

Retired public school science teacher

The gist

Pledges to advocate for public schools and vocational training
Supports higher pay for public safety officers and teachers
Supports disciplined growth that keeps Rowan's character
Supports new interchanges where they help move traffic

More about Ray

View sources (3)

Pledges to advocate for public schools and vocational training
Rowan County commissioner candidates weigh in
Candidate questionnaire · Salisbury Post · Jan 4, 2026 · salisburypost.com
“As a county commissioner, I will be a strong advocate for public education, occupational/vocational training and lifelong learning.”
Supports higher pay for public safety officers and teachers
Rowan County commissioner candidates share positions before early voting
Debate / forum transcript · Salisbury Post · Feb 12, 2026 · salisburypost.com
“They're losing people because we're not keeping up with the surrounding areas. We're falling behind in salaries”
Supports disciplined growth that keeps Rowan's character
FunFest gives Democratic candidates platform to speak
News coverage · Salisbury Post · Aug 10, 2026 · salisburypost.com
“We can welcome new industries without losing the things that make Rowan feel like Rowan County.”
Supports new interchanges where they help move traffic
Rowan County commissioner candidates share positions before early voting
Debate / forum transcript · Salisbury Post · Feb 12, 2026 · salisburypost.com
“where they assist us in moving traffic, they're always gonna be a good idea”

Karla Foster Leonard

Republican

Business owner; chair, Rowan County Planning Board

The gist

Supports concentrating development along I-85 and major corridors
Supports tax relief for seniors and veterans if base grows
Supports denser housing in towns and along major roads
Supports better pay to keep trained public safety officers
Supports a new I-85 exit opening serviced industrial land

More about Karla

View sources (3)

Supports concentrating development along I-85 and major corridors
Candidate Guide (2026 primary)
Candidate questionnaire · Salisbury Post · Feb 12, 2026 · salisburypost.com
“By concentrating development along I-85, Highway 70 and other major corridors, we can support economic opportunity while protecting our rural communities”
Supports tax relief for seniors and veterans if base grows
Rowan County commissioner candidates weigh in
Candidate questionnaire · Salisbury Post · Jan 4, 2026 · salisburypost.com
“there may even be an opportunity to lower taxes through a decreased tax rate or increased exemptions with the priority going to seniors and veterans”
Supports denser housing in towns and along major roads
Rowan County commissioner candidates weigh in
Candidate questionnaire · Salisbury Post · Jan 4, 2026 · salisburypost.com
“By encouraging increased density in the municipalities and major thoroughfares we can address housing concerns”
Supports better pay to keep trained public safety officers
Rowan County commissioner candidates share positions before early voting
Debate / forum transcript · Salisbury Post · Feb 12, 2026 · salisburypost.com
“So, I think it is important that their compensation is appropriate”
Supports a new I-85 exit opening serviced industrial land
Rowan County commissioner candidates share positions before early voting
Debate / forum transcript · Salisbury Post · Feb 12, 2026 · salisburypost.com
“it will open land that already has power, water, sewer, gas, electric right on the 85 corridor”

Daniel R. Lancaster

Republican

The gist

Supports closer cooperation between county and city governments
Supports managed growth that protects quality of life
Supports seeking state, federal grants for infrastructure costs
Pledges regular communication with departments about their needs

More about Daniel

View sources (2)

Supports closer cooperation between county and city governments
Rowan County commissioner candidates weigh in
Candidate questionnaire · Salisbury Post · Jan 4, 2026 · salisburypost.com
“My top priorities are responsible growth, fiscal accountability and strong cooperation between county and city governments.”
Supports managed growth that protects quality of life
Rowan County commissioner candidates weigh in
Candidate questionnaire · Salisbury Post · Jan 4, 2026 · salisburypost.com
“Growth should be managed in a way that protects our quality of life while supporting economic opportunity”
Supports seeking state, federal grants for infrastructure costs
Rowan County commissioner candidates share positions before early voting
Debate / forum transcript · Salisbury Post · Feb 12, 2026 · salisburypost.com
“talking with people at the federal level and also booking for grants that help lighten the burden on the Rowan County citizens”
Pledges regular communication with departments about their needs
Rowan County commissioner candidates share positions before early voting
Debate / forum transcript · Salisbury Post · Feb 12, 2026 · salisburypost.com
“making sure that we have communication with them so we know exactly what their needs are”

Jason Scott Hinson

Republican

Patrol lieutenant, Kannapolis Police Department

The gist

Supports regular pay studies for deputies and first responders
Supports raising county pay supplements for teachers
Proposes tax credits for small businesses hiring local workers
Supports lowering taxes by growing the business tax base
Supports expanding high school career and technical training

More about Jason

View sources (2)

Supports regular pay studies for deputies and first responders
Rowan County commissioner candidates weigh in
Candidate questionnaire · Salisbury Post · Jan 4, 2026 · salisburypost.com
“Pay studies for first responders should be conducted every few years to ensure our deputies and other first responders are being compensated appropriately.”
Supports raising county pay supplements for teachers
Rowan County commissioner candidates weigh in
Candidate questionnaire · Salisbury Post · Jan 4, 2026 · salisburypost.com
“I would like to work with our school board and increase that to a level that not only benefits our current teachers”
Proposes tax credits for small businesses hiring local workers
Rowan County commissioner candidates weigh in
Candidate questionnaire · Salisbury Post · Jan 4, 2026 · salisburypost.com
“I feel we could create Work Opportunity Tax Credits that would allow the small business owners to get tax credits for each local employee”
Supports lowering taxes by growing the business tax base
Rowan County commissioner candidates weigh in
Candidate questionnaire · Salisbury Post · Jan 4, 2026 · salisburypost.com
“continue to bring in new businesses and other avenues of support to share the burden”
Supports expanding high school career and technical training
Candidate Guide (2026 primary)
Candidate questionnaire · Salisbury Post · Feb 12, 2026 · salisburypost.com
“partner with our community college and school system to ensure students are equipped with the skills needed”

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; 8 issues covered in this race.