ROCKINGHAM — Three more candidates have joined the race for the Richmond County Board of Commissioners — but you won’t see their names on current state records.
According to the Richmond County Board of Elections, Michael Legrand, Brandon Streeter and Jason Mabe have signed up to run, unaffiliated with any of the state-recognized political parties.
Each candidate will have to collect signatures from 4% of the county’s registered voters, which is approximately 1,129. However, the updated figure won’t be released until next month.
This will be Legrand’s third consecutive time running for office. He previously ran as a Democrat in 2022 and as an unaffiliated candidate in 2024.
Former commissioner Kenneth Robinette, who served as chairman for two decades, was elected to his final term as an unaffiliated candidate.
The N.C. State Board of Elections recognizes four political parties: the Republican Party; the Democratic Party; the Libertarian Party; and the Green Party.
As of Nov. 25, the breakdown of registered voters in Richmond County was as follows:
So far, only one incumbent — Commissioner Jason Gainey — has filed for reelection. Commissioners Justin Dawkins, Robin Roberts and Dr. Rick Watkins have yet to file.
Watkins changed his affiliation from Democrat to Republican prior to the last election, leading to the county’s first all-GOP board in 2022.
The commissioners' race currently features three Republican challengers — Terry Lewis, Laverne Schultz and Melissa Schoonover — and one Democrat in Linda Ross, who has previously run twice.
All four incumbents for the Richmond County Board of Education — Scotty Baldwin, Bobbie Sue Ormsby, Cory Satterfield and Daryl Mason — filed during the first week, with no opposition thus far.
Several other candidates face no challenges, as of Dec. 8, in their respective races: Vickie Daniel (D), clerk of superior court; Chris Rhue and Chevonne Wallace, district court judge seats 1 and 3, respectively; state Rep. Ben Moss, R-Richmond; and state Sen. Dave Craven, R-Randolph.
Other candidates who have filed 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.
