Nine Candidates, Two Seats: What to Know About Wake County’s At-Large Commissioner Primary

The March 3rd primary will decide which candidates advance in the countywide race for two commissioner seats that shape taxes, schools, and growth.

Feb 09, 2026

Graphic Credit: Holly Springs Update/Wake County Government

Correction: An earlier version had an incorrect link for candidate Gary Hartong. It’s been corrected. We apologize for the error. (2/9/26)

Raleigh, NC, Feb. 9, 2026 — Wake County voters will soon weigh in on the primary election for two at-large seats on the Wake County Board of Commissioners, a board that sets the property tax rate and makes funding decisions that directly affect public schools, growth, infrastructure, and countywide services. Because these seats are elected countywide, every registered voter in Wake County has a stake in who advances to the November general election.

The Wake County Board of Commissioners is the county’s primary governing body, responsible for setting policy and approving spending for services that operate countywide rather than within individual towns. Commissioners approve the county budget and property tax rate; fund and finance public schools and school construction; oversee public health, human services, parks, libraries, and public safety; manage long-term growth and major capital projects; and appoint members to county boards and regional bodies.

This year, voters will elect two at-large commissioners, who represent all Wake County residents rather than a specific district.

The election takes place in two stages:

March primary (March 3, 2026): Voters choose a party ballot and may select up to two candidates for the at-large seats. The top two vote-getters in each party advance to the November ballot. If a party fields only two candidates, both advance automatically.
November general election (November 3, 2026): All voters may select up to two candidates, regardless of party. The two candidates with the most votes overall are elected. The top finisher receives a four-year term, while the runner-up receives a two-year term, establishing staggered elections.

Early Voting in Wake County

For the March 3, 2026 primary, early voting in North Carolina, including Wake County, runs from Thursday, February 12th through Saturday, February 28th. Early voting ends at 3 p.m. on the final day.
During the early voting period, voters may cast a ballot at any early voting location in Wake County, regardless of precinct. Same-day voter registration is available at early voting sites. You can find an early voting location here - https://vt.ncsbe.gov/evsite/

Below are brief profiles of the nine candidates, seven Democrats and two Republicans, seeking the two at-large seats. Because only two Republicans are running, both will automatically advance to the November general election and will not appear on a competitive Republican primary ballot.

The outcome of this race will help shape how Wake County manages rapid growth, school funding, infrastructure investment, and taxpayer dollars over the next several years.

Ahead of the primary, voters are encouraged to check their voter registration status and register or update their information if needed through the North Carolina State Board of Elections at ncsbe.gov.