ROCKINGHAM — The second of four sitting commissioners up for reelection has joined the race.
Commissioner Justin Dawkins filled out his paperwork Tuesday morning at the Richmond County Board of Elections, becoming the seventh candidate to enter that election.
Dawkins was appointed to the Richmond County Board of Commissioners in 2020 to fill out the remainder of the term vacated when Ben Moss was elected to the N.C. House of Representatives.
He later won the election in 2022, resulting in the county’s first all-Republican board.
The only other incumbent to file thus far is Commissioner Jason Gainey, who was also elected in ‘22 — along with Robin Roberts and Dr. Rick Watkins, who have yet to file. Watkins changed his party affiliation prior to filing for the last election.
Gainey and Dawkins will be on the Republican primary ballot in March, along with challengers Terry Lewis, Jesse McQueen, Melissa Schoonover and Laverne Schultz.
Linda Ross is, so far, the lone Democrat in the race; and three potential candidates — Michael Legrand, Brandon Streeter and Jason Mabe — are running unaffiliated with any of the four state-recognized political parties and each has to gather signatures from 4% of the county’s registered voters.
Other races on the ballot include:
Filing closes at noon Dec. 19. Filing fees vary and potential candidates should contact the Board of Elections for more information.
The primary election, and school board election, is scheduled for March 3, 2026.
