ROCKINGHAM — Several candidates made last-minute bids for public office before election filing closed at noon Dec. 19.
Records with the N.C. State Board of Elections show that Amber Daniels — a former candidate for the Hamlet City Council — filed to run for the Richmond County Board of Education.
Prior to her filing, the only other candidates in the race were the incumbents: Cory Satterfield; Bobbie Sue Ormsby; Scotty Baldwin; and Daryl Mason.
As for the Richmond County Board of Commissioners, four other candidates tossed their proverbial hats in the ring: Democrat Cameron Wright; and Republicans Jessie Daniels (husband of Amber Daniels), bail bond agent Tyrannia “Smackie” Ellerbe, and Richard Robinson.
Wright is one of two Democrats to file, the other being Linda Ross, who filed on opening day.
The Republican field is more competitive with incumbents Jason Gainey, Justin Dawkins and Robin Roberts facing off against the aforementioned candidates, as well as Melissa Schoonover, Terry Lewis, Laverne Schultz and Jesse McQueen.
Current Commissioner Dr. Rick Watkins did not file.
The commissioner race also includes four unaffiliated candidates: Michael Legrand; Harshal Barot; Jason Mabe; and Brandon Streeter.
Of the challengers, Legrand has previously run as a Democrat and unaffiliated, Robinson as a Libertarian and Ellerbe as a Democrat. Ross has also previously run for a seat.
Other contests on the ballot include:
The primary and school board elections will be held March 3, 2026.
