Roberts, unaffiliated candidate Barot latest to run for Richmond County Board of Commissioners

ROCKINGHAM — Two more candidates — including one incumbent — have entered the race for the Richmond County Board of Commissioners.

Commissioner Robin Roberts went to the Richmond County Board of Elections on Wednesday to file in an effort to retain her seat on the board.

Roberts was elected in 2022, along with Commissioners Justin Dawkins, Jason Gainey and Dr. Rick Watkins — the latter changing his party affiliation — to secure the county’s first all-Republican board.

Gainey filed for reelection on Dec. 3 and Dawkins on Dec. 16. Watkins has yet to file.

The Republican primary in March will pit Dawkins, Gainey and Roberts against challengers Terry Lewis, Melissa Schoonover, Laverne Schultz and Jesse McQueen. Linda Ross is so far the only Democrat to file.

According to the BoE, Harshal Barot has also announced his intent to run as an unaffiliated candidate — the fourth in the race, along with Michael Legrand, Jason Mabe and Brandon Streeter. 

Candidates unaffiliated with any of the four state-recognized political parties — Republican, Democratic, Libertarian or Green — are required to gather signatures from 4% of the county’s registered voters. That number is currently 1,129. However, the updated figure won’t be released until next month.

Unafilliated candidates have to submit signatures by noon, March 3, 2026.

Records with the N.C. State Board of Elections show another Republican — Thomas Johnson of Garner — and Democrat —Marcus W. Williams of Lumberton —  have entered the U.S. Senate race to represent North Carolina.

Johnson will face Margot Dupre, Michael Whately, Donald Brown and Elizabeth Temple in the Republican primary; while Williams will be pitted against former governor Roy Cooper and Daryl Farrow in the Democratic showdown.

Other races on the ballot include:

• Sheriff - Mark Gulledge (R, incumbent); Tahid “Ty” Rucker (D)
• District Attorney - Jamie Adams (incumbent), Herman Little (D); Todd Scott  (R)
• Clerk of Superior Court - Vickie Daniel (D, incumbent)
• District Court Judge Seat 1 - Chris Rhue (D, incumbent)
• District Court Judge Seat 3 - Chevonne Wallace (D, incumbent)
• Richmond County Board of Education - Cory Satterfield, Scotty Baldwin, Daryl Mason and Bobbie Sue Ormsby (all incumbents)
• N.C. Senate - Dave Craven (R-Randolph, incumbent)
• N.C. House of Representatives - Ben Moss (R-Richmond, incumbent); Joe Parfitt (D)
• U.S. House of Representatives - Mark Harris (R, incumbent); Kevin Clark, Colby Watson, Jesse Oppenheim (D)

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.