The 2026 Primary elections are underway. Leesville has many new voters, some of whom don’t even know they can vote in this primary election. Find out here if you are eligible and, if you are, how you can and what you need to know.
Step 1: Understanding the election
A primary election is a preliminary election where voters select candidates they want to see on the ballot in the general election later in the same calendar year.
Whoever wins the primary election will then run for office in the general election on November 3, 2026.
This year, there is no presidential election, but there are U.S. Senate, district attorney, NC Court of Appeals, and other local positions.
It is arguably more important to vote in these elections because local officials have a direct impact on your daily life. You want to elect the candidates who will act in your best interest.
Step 2: Register to vote
You must be 18 to vote, but if you are 17, you are eligible to vote if you will be 18 by the time of the general election on November 3, 2026.
You are eligible to preregister to vote at 16 years old. When you register, you have the option to register as a Democrat, Republican, or independent voter.
This designates which primary election you will vote in — Democrat or republican. Each ballot is different, and you only vote in one.
If you are registered independent, you may decide which Primary you want to vote in in the state of North Carolina.
Step 3: Do your research
It is very important to know who you are voting for before you vote.
Below you can find a list of every representative you will see on both the democratic and republican ballot, followed by a synopsis of their past work and campaign highlights.
Democratic Ballot
US Senate
Daryl Farrow
Farrow is a U.S. Navy veteran who attended Kansas State University. He has no previous political experience. His platform is lacking in details about what he plans to accomplish if elected.
Dues was a U.S. Marine Corps officer. Now, he is a Technology Commercialization Counselor at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University. He wants to propose anti-corruption and tax reform bills.
Cooper is the former governor of North Carolina from 2017 to 2025. He was also the Attorney General of the state from 2001 to 2017. If elected, he hopes to support more good-paying jobs, make health care more affordable, and lower costs for people struggling.
Colon is a family caregiver, community volunteer, and Eagle Scout. If elected, he will address crime, immigration, peace, tax reform, and values in Congress.
Williams has a background in law and public service. He has served as an attorney and assistant Public Defender. If elected, he will address affordable and quality healthcare.
Quick is a pastor and former N.C State football player. If elected, he wants to protect constitutional rights, lower family costs, restore due process, and create opportunities for a younger generation.
NC Court of Appeals
James Weldon Whalen
Whalen was a Raleigh attorney for 5 years. He is a fresh face in the political arena and wants to protect civil rights. He has been endorsed by 5 previous N.C. Supreme Court Justices.
Christine Marie Walczyk
Walczyk has served for 19 years on the Wake County District Court. Walczyk wants to take a nonpartisan approach to her job on the NC Appellate Court. She has been endorsed by the North Carolina Association of Educators, the Durham People’s Alliance PAC, and more.
District Attorney
Sherita Walton
Walton is a Campbell Law Graduate and has worked in the Wake County district attorney’s office for 27 years. She is a founding member of the Special Victims Unit and has been running the department for 17 years. If elected, she wants to prioritize reducing gun violence and reducing the rates of juvenile offenders.
Melanie Shekita
Shekita has been working in the North Carolina DA office since 2016, when she moved there with her family. Previously, she worked in the Manhattan District Attorney’s office. She has proposed a specialized unit for violent offenses to get them fast trials, creating a Youth advisory council, and assigning assistant DAs to oversee law enforcement.
Wiley Nickel
Nickles is a former criminal defence attorney. He spent 2 years in the State Senate and worked as one of Barack Obama’s aides. He pledges to prosecute political corruption cases and go after law enforcement agents who use excessive force. He claims he is the most progressive candidate and will be a more aggressive DA than the current DA when it comes to prosecuting government corruption.
Wake County Board of Commissioners At-Large
Marguerite Creel
- Creel runs a tutoring business in Raleigh, NC. Creel wants to take better care of Wake’s senior citizens, have sustainable energy sources for the county, and improve Wake County public schools by providing more electives and online options.
Mona Singh
- Singh immigrated to the US from India in 1980 and now works in technology in Cary. She wants to use more advanced technology to improve county services and save money. She also wants to tax the wealthiest residents.
Steve S. Rao
- Rao was on the Morrisville Town Council for 14 years and is now a county commissioner. He wants to implement a Language Access Plan for all of Wake County.
Robert Mitchener Jr.
- Michener is a former Wake County Deputy Sheriff and has worked in law enforcement for 30 years. He wants to provide mental health resources for first responders.
Kimberly McGhee
- McGhee is a small business owner; she doesn’t have any experience in local government, but that could be one of her biggest strengths. She wants to get the community involved with local politics by offering town hall-style events.
Jonathan Lambert-Melton
- Lambert-Melton is a member at large on the Raleigh City Council and a family law attorney. He wants to implement affordable housing and expand Raleigh’s CARES program to all of Wake County.
Christine Kushner
- Kushner represented Raleigh on the Wake County School Board for 11 years. She is currently on the Wake County Health and Human Services Board. Kushner wants to lobby for more money for public schools, support immunizations, and food assistance services.
Republican Ballot
US Senate
Dupre works in law enforcement and is a foster mother. If elected, she wants to bring power back to the states, create high-paying jobs in NC, and secure borders.
Dansie is an Army veteran and a senior network security engineer. If elected, he wants to incentivize Congress to manage money better and make living in America affordable.
Brown is a former United States Navy JAG Officer and works as a Special Assistant United States Attorney. If elected, he hopes to address securing the border, strengthening our military, and protecting constitutional freedoms. He also wants to reduce federal overreach.
- Whatley was the head of President Trump’s Transition Team’s Energy, Environment, and Agriculture. He is also the Chairman of the Republican National Committee. If elected, he wants to put more money in North Carolinians’ pockets. He advocates for safe communities and a strong country.
Temple is a certified K-12 teacher. She has volunteered with the Republican Party for 10 years. If elected, she wants to propose bills to stop immigration and AI robotic warfare.
Johnson went to the United States Air Force Academy and was recruited by the CIA to study space commercialization. If elected, he wants to address border security, protect religious liberty, and make the cost of living affordable.
Morrow has previously run for North Carolina State School Superintendent and the local school board. Neither of which she has won. She hopes to address affordable healthcare, and expose and correct the “fraud, waste,e and abuse of taxpayers’ money”.
NC Court of Appeals Judge
Byrne was a lawyer in the Office of Administrative Hearings and handled more than 20 cases in the Court of Appeals and Supreme Court. He supports strict due process of the law, and he pledges to uphold the law at all costs.
Smith was a District Court Judge and a Superior Court Judge. He claims to be the candidate who understands the law and how our government works. He is determined to be a judge who upholds conservative values.
Nonpartisan nominations:
City of Raleigh City Council at large
James G. Bledsoe
- This is Bledsoe’s third time running for this position. He is a conservative with a military background. He wants to prioritize affordable housing, public safety, and supporting first responders and veterans.
Joshua Bradley
- Bradly has claimed to be a socialist and a member of the Free Party. His priorities are housing justice, racial justice, workers’ rights, and environmental justice.
Ms. Stormie Denise Forte
- Forte has been a member of the sixty council since 2020 and is the only incumbent running. Her priorities are affordable housing, efficient public transportation, and small businesses.
Calrk Rinehart
- Reinheart has been an industrial engineer for 17 years. His priorities are affordable housing, public safety, and infrastructure.
Sana Siddiqui
- Siddiqui is a business owner, UNC graduate, and avid volunteer. She wants to prioritize small businesses, community engagement, and support for city staff.
Cameron Zamot
- Zamot is a military veteran and the founder of Bike Library. He wants to prioritize affordable living, safe neighborhoods, public transit, and reducing traffic deaths.
Step 4: Find your precinct and go vote!
Up until March 3, you are eligible to vote at any early voting site in Wake County. You can find a list of early voting sites linked here.
On election day — March 3– You must vote at your designated voting location. To determine this location, check the voter registry or your voter registration card.
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