County

County Commissioner, Wake County

At-large

Vote for: 2
Term: 4 years
Candidates: 4
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.

Two new at-large seats: all Wake County voters elect them, as the county completes its move to district-based elections for the other seven (Wake County Board of Commissioners).

Candidates Compare by issue

Kyle Stogoski

Republican

The gist

Proposes by-right zoning for starter homes in unincorporated Wake
Proposes giving owner-occupant homebuyers first look before investors
Proposes splitting county contracts so local firms can bid
Proposes tying supplemental school funding to performance metrics
Opposes subsidy races that favor outside corporations

More about Kyle

View sources (1)

Proposes by-right zoning for starter homes in unincorporated Wake
Broad Prosperity Initiative (campaign platform, archived April–May 2026)
Campaign website · Committee to Elect Stogoski · web.archive.org
“Expand by-right zoning for starter homes, duplexes, triplexes, and small multi-family housing in unincorporated Wake County”
Proposes giving owner-occupant homebuyers first look before investors
Broad Prosperity Initiative (campaign platform, archived April–May 2026)
Campaign website · Committee to Elect Stogoski · web.archive.org
“Establish a First-Look Homebuyer Initiative that prioritizes owner-occupant buyers and community organizations before investor bidding”
Proposes splitting county contracts so local firms can bid
Broad Prosperity Initiative (campaign platform, archived April–May 2026)
Campaign website · Committee to Elect Stogoski · web.archive.org
“Break large contracts into smaller bid packages so local firms can compete”
Proposes tying supplemental school funding to performance metrics
Broad Prosperity Initiative (campaign platform, archived April–May 2026)
Campaign website · Committee to Elect Stogoski · web.archive.org
“Tie supplemental funding and capital investments to student performance metrics”
Opposes subsidy races that favor outside corporations
Broad Prosperity Initiative (campaign platform, archived April–May 2026)
Campaign website · Committee to Elect Stogoski · web.archive.org
“Avoid subsidy races that favor outside corporations with minimal community return”

Mona Singh

Democratic

Technology consultant (self-employed)

The gist

Pledges to seek full funding for public schools and staff
Proposes easing parking minimums and fees for affordable homes
Supports expanding tax relief for long-time owner-occupants
Supports a light rail system in the Triangle
Pledges to protect county resources from data center strain

More about Mona

View sources (2)

Pledges to seek full funding for public schools and staff
INDY 2026 primary candidate questionnaire: Wake County Board of County Commissioners: Mona Singh
Candidate questionnaire · INDY Week · indyweek.com
“I will ensure that public schools get the funding they need to provide quality education to our students, including those with special needs.”
Proposes easing parking minimums and fees for affordable homes
INDY 2026 primary candidate questionnaire: Wake County Board of County Commissioners: Mona Singh
Candidate questionnaire · INDY Week · indyweek.com
“I will work to update land-use requirements such as parking minimums, which raise construction cost and lead to reduced tree cover.”
Supports expanding tax relief for long-time owner-occupants
INDY 2026 primary candidate questionnaire: Wake County Board of County Commissioners: Mona Singh
Candidate questionnaire · INDY Week · indyweek.com
“I will advocate for expanded assistance, especially for long-term owner-occupants based on their income.”
Supports a light rail system in the Triangle
INDY 2026 primary candidate questionnaire: Wake County Board of County Commissioners: Mona Singh
Candidate questionnaire · INDY Week · indyweek.com
“Longer-term, I will support efforts to create a light rail system in the Triangle and vicinity.”
Pledges to protect county resources from data center strain
Meet Mona (and frequently asked questions)
Campaign website · Friends of Mona Singh · monaforwake.com
“I will insist that Wake County’s environmental resources be protected for use by residents.”

Christine Kushner

Democratic

Policy analyst and writer (self-employed)

The gist

Supports preserving existing housing and adding mixed-income developments
Supports expanding means-tested property tax assistance
Proposes more county nurses and social workers in schools
Supports well-paid staff and educators for Wake schools
Supports more local control for counties

More about Christine

View sources (2)

Supports preserving existing housing and adding mixed-income developments
Christine's Priorities for Wake County
Campaign website · Committee to Elect Christine Kushner · christineforwake.com
“County-based strategies should include preservation of existing housing, as well as long term strategies of adding more mixed income and affordable developments.”
Supports expanding means-tested property tax assistance
INDY 2026 primary candidate questionnaire: Wake County Board of County Commissioners: Christine Kushner
Candidate questionnaire · INDY Week · indyweek.com
“I support creating new tax assistance programs that are means-tested–targeting vulnerable households with fixed or limited incomes”
Proposes more county nurses and social workers in schools
Christine's Priorities for Wake County
Campaign website · Committee to Elect Christine Kushner · christineforwake.com
“embedding more county nurses and social workers in our public school buildings; extending the life of the solid waste landfill”
Supports well-paid staff and educators for Wake schools
Christine's Priorities for Wake County
Campaign website · Committee to Elect Christine Kushner · christineforwake.com
“We need Commissioners who are committed to improving the Wake County Public School System, which can only be done with supported, well-paid staff and educators.”
Supports more local control for counties
INDY 2026 primary candidate questionnaire: Wake County Board of County Commissioners: Christine Kushner
Candidate questionnaire · INDY Week · indyweek.com
“I support more local control for counties to allow for greater innovation and allow County leadership to respond to their local residents more effectively.”

Gary Dale Hartong

Republican

Civil engineer; president of The Wooten Company

The gist

Supports lowering county taxes and refocusing on core services
Opposes keeping a 30% fund balance reserve
Supports strategic, data-driven long-term capital planning
Supports proactive investment in school facility repairs
Supports local small businesses as an economic priority

More about Gary

View sources (1)

Supports lowering county taxes and refocusing on core services
Elect Gary Hartong for Wake County
Campaign website · Gary Hartong campaign · garyforwake.org
“Wake County should re-examine its revenue sources, lower the tax burden where possible, and refocus spending on core services that benefit all residents.”
Opposes keeping a 30% fund balance reserve
Elect Gary Hartong for Wake County
Campaign website · Gary Hartong campaign · garyforwake.org
“stockpiling taxpayer dollars beyond reasonable levels should trigger a reassessment of tax rates—not expanded spending.”
Supports strategic, data-driven long-term capital planning
Elect Gary Hartong for Wake County
Campaign website · Gary Hartong campaign · garyforwake.org
“Long-term capital planning must be strategic, data-driven, and forward-looking to keep pace with growth and evolving community needs.”
Supports proactive investment in school facility repairs
Elect Gary Hartong for Wake County
Campaign website · Gary Hartong campaign · garyforwake.org
“Wake County must prioritize proactive investment to ensure safe, efficient, and high-quality learning environments for every educator and student.”
Supports local small businesses as an economic priority
Elect Gary Hartong for Wake County
Campaign website · Gary Hartong campaign · garyforwake.org
“Supporting local businesses in Wake County strengthens the community by keeping dollars circulating close to home and reinforcing a stable, dynamic local economy.”

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.