Candidate now seeking write-in for separate race
Robbinsville – Thanks to a late rush to the Graham County Board of Elections office, filing for local elections in 2026 closed at noon Friday with 22 candidates officially tossing their names in the hat.
All incumbents are seeking re-election, with two seats each up for grabs in both the commissioner and school-board races.
Only two filers were Democrat; anyone seeking a spot on the ballot as Unaffiliated has until the primary election (Tuesday, March 3) to attain enough signatures from registered, county voters to be added to the general ticket in November.
Filers are as follows:
* Graham County Board of Commissioners (all Republicans): Thomas Blevins, Brian "Taco" Johnson, Chase Lancaster, Jacob Nelms (incumbent), Josh Reap, David L. Shuler, Carolyn Stewart, Dale E. Wiggins, Dawson Williams and Natasha Williams (incumbent).
* Graham County Board of Education: Clark "Chip" Carringer and Andy Lynn (both Republican incumbents).
* Graham County Clerk of Court: William-Wayne Adams (Republican) and Tammy Holloway (Democrat, incumbent).
* Graham County Register of Deeds: Kim LeQuire (Republican, incumbent).
* Graham County Sheriff: Leon Allen, Jr., Cody George, Terry Grey, Joseph Jones, Mitch Millsaps, Caleb Stiles (all Republicans); Louanne Jenkins McMahan (Democrat).
Reap switches races
Commission candidate Josh Reap contacted The Graham Star on Friday, requesting that voters write him in as their pick in the race for school board.
Reap admitted that he missed the deadline for withdrawal from the commissioner race by two days.
North Carolina General Statute 163-106.4, "Withdrawal of notice of candidacy," states that a candidate wishing to withdraw from a race they have filed for must do so three business days before the filing period ends.
Reap simply cited a change in philosophy in wanting to run for school board instead of commissioner.
Upcoming dates
The 2026 primary season begins soon, with in-person early voting just seven weeks away. At the local level, only the GOP commissioner and sheriff races will be on the March ballot.
Below are some dates to remember, as the primary election quickly rises on the horizon:
* Monday, Jan. 12: Mailing of requested absentee ballots begins;
* Friday, Feb. 6: Voter registration deadline, 5 p.m.;
* Saturday, Feb. 7: The Star will host a candidate forum, with all primary candidates invited to attend. A time and location will be announced soon;
* Thursday, Feb. 12: In-person, early voting begins;
* Tuesday, Feb. 17: Absentee ballot request deadline, 5 p.m.;
* Saturday, Feb. 28: In-person early voting ends, 3 p.m.;
* Tuesday, March 3: Primary Election Day (polls will be open from 6:30 a.m. – 7:30 p.m.); absentee ballot return deadline.