Primary for NC 11 Representative
Jamie Ager
Jamie Ager is a fourth-generation farmer from Fairview. Jamie earned his degrees from Warren Wilson College, and he participated in the Agriculture Leadership Program through NC State in the mid-2000s. He runs Hickory Nut Gap Farm, a sustainable meat company, with his wife, Amy. Jamie’s family has a long history in Western North Carolina politics. His grandfather, Jamie Clarke, served in the US Congress and the NC Legislature. His father, John, served in the NC House, and his brother, Eric, currently serves in the NC House.
Dr. Paul Maddox is a world-renowned cancer researcher and native of Yancey County. He was raised by his father, a local doctor and Bronze Star recipient from the Vietnam War, and his mother, a public school teacher. Paul graduated from the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill with a BS then PhD. in Biology. He has earned awards for his cancer research and has published over 100 scientific articles. Paul and his wife have created two small businesses for cancer research.
Richard Hudspeth
Dr. Richard Hudspeth is a family physician from Skyland. He earned his B.A. from Duke University and MD from the University of North Carolina. Early in his career, Richard served in India with Mother Teresa’s Home for the Destitute and Dying, and he served in West Africa during the Ebola outbreak. Richard served as the CEO of Blue Ridge Health, a community health center based in Hendersonville. Under his leadership, Blue Ridge Health expanded access to care for thousands of families in nine rural counties.
Zelda Briarwood studied at the University of South Carolina and Prescott College, and has been living in Western North Carolina since the 2010s. She has worked admissions at Outward Bound and CooperRiis, managed crisis services at Appalachian Community Center, and provided case management for survivors of sexual violence and human trafficking at OurVoice. She currently serves as the Secretary of the Haywood County Young Democrats.
Lee Whipple
More information coming soon.
Primary for NC Court of Appeals
Judge Christine Walczyk
Judge Christine Walczyk is the longest-serving district court trial judge in Wake County, with 18 years of experience. She was nominated by four chief district court judges (three Democrats and a Republican) to serve in leadership positions including Lead Judge in Family Court for more than 9 years, and currently as Lead Judge in the general civil court.
James Whalen is an appellate attorney and one of the lawyers who defended Justice Allison Riggs's victory and stopped a dangerous attempt to overturn a free and fair election. Formerly in Josh Stein's Department of Justice, he fought gerrymandering in the U.S. Supreme Court and won.
Primary for US Senate
Roy Cooper
Roy Cooper is a former Governor and Attorney General. He was successful in expanding Medicaid, which helped 650,000 North Carolinians gain access to healthcare. Other priorities included the public education system, tackling the opioid crisis, and revitalizing rural communities.
Marcus W. Williams
More information coming soon.
Orrick Quick is a pastor from High Point and co-host of “The Preachers” on Fox. He is a National Speaking Champion and has helped 400 elementary students become published authors.
Justin E. Dues
Justin E. Dues joined the Marine Corp in 2003 after graduating high school, and he served for nine years. He has worked in small and large businesses, and he has focused on creating medical devices that would replace the use of opioids for pain treatment.
2026 Election Calendar
Visit the NC Board of Elections for more details about elections in your community.