Many of McDowell County’s local races are uncontested. BPR reached out to all candidates on the state candidate list to fill out a short survey about priorities. If you are a candidate and would like to fill out the survey now, please reach out to news@bpr.org.
McDowell County Board Of Commissioners
George Patrick Ellis
Republican Party
Ellis is currently serving as a commissioner for McDowell County. He does not have a campaign website and his campaign is not active on social media. Ellis did not respond to inquiries to fill out BPR’s survey.
Trisha Garner
Republican Party
Garner does not have a campaign website, but she is active on Facebook. Garner did not respond to inquiries to fill out BPR’s survey.
Teri Stahara
Democratic Party
Where are you from?
Pittsburgh, PA
What is your top priority if elected?
Work on the DSS office for a new building in order to better handle mental health issues
What do you wish the community knew about this office?
Their mandate is to help the people of the county with a supportive budget
What is one thing that you want to say to voters?
As the only Democrat on a 5 panel board, I will request the best for our county and let the people know when their rights are not being upheld.
Where do you currently live?
Marion, NC
McDowell County Board Of Education Marion District
Donald “Donnie” Suttles
Republican Party
Suttles currently serves on the McDowell County school board as the Marion representative. Suttles does not have a campaign website, but he is active on Facebook. Suttles did not respond to inquiries to fill out BPR’s survey.
Gregory “Greg” Barksdale
Republican Party
Barksdale does not have a campaign website, but he is active on Facebook. Suttles did not respond to inquiries to fill out BPR’s survey.
McDowell County Board Of Education North Cove District
Terry English
Democratic Party
English currently serves on the McDowell County school board as the North Cove representative. English does not have a campaign website, but he is active on Facebook. English did not respond to inquiries to fill out BPR’s survey.
James “Jimmy” Allison
Republican Party
Allison is currently a teacher for McDowell County schools. Allison does not have a campaign website, but he does have a LinkedIn profile. Allison did not respond to inquiries to fill out BPR’s survey.
McDowell County Board Of Education Old Fort District
Derrick McGinnis
Republican Party
McGinnis works for the McDowell County Sheriff's Office. He does not have a campaign website or public social media. McGinnis did not respond to inquiries to fill out BPR’s survey.
Beth Lolley Silver
Unaffiliated
Silver is a retired schoolteacher who currently serves on the McDowell County school board. She does not have a campaign website. She is active on Facebook and Twitter. Silver did not respond to inquiries to fill out BPR’s survey.
McDowell County Board Of Education West Marion District
Paul Baker
Republican Party
Baker does not have a campaign website and does not have public social media accounts. Baker did not respond to inquiries to fill out BPR’s survey.
McDowell County Register Of Deeds
Lydia Tilley Effler
Republican Party
Effler is the current Register of Deeds and is running uncontested. She does not have a campaign website and his campaign is not active on social media. Effler did not respond to inquiries to fill out BPR’s survey.
McDowell Soil And Water Conservation District Supervisor
Bob Yutzy
This is a non-partisan race.
Yutzy is running uncontested. He does not have a campaign website and his campaign is not active on social media. Yutzy did not respond to inquiries to fill out BPR’s survey.
-
Senate District 46 includes Burke County, McDowell County and parts of Buncombe County. -
Incumbent U.S. Rep. Chuck Edwards faces challenger Caleb Rudow to represent much of Western North Carolina in Congress.
-
With Roy Cooper term-limited, North Carolina will get a new governor in 2024. After easy victories in the primaries, Democrat Josh Stein and Republican Mark Robinson are the major party candidates seeking to become the state’s 76th Governor. -
Elaine Marshall has been the Secretary of State for North Carolina since 1997, serving under five different governors. Challenging the longtime incumbent Democrat for a seat of the Council of State is Chad Brown, a Republican, a former small-town mayor, and a former baseball player. -
The N.C. Supreme Court is the highest court in North Carolina where Republicans currently hold a 5-to-2 majority. This year, incumbent Justice Allison Riggs, a Democrat, will face Republican Court of Appeals Judge Jefferson Griffin. -
With long-time state auditor Beth Wood resigning after misusing state vehicles and crashing one of them, her appointed replacement is vying for a full term in a race full of issues ranging from the DMV to DEI. Incumbent Democrat Jessica Holmes faces Republican Dave Boliek. -
One of the down ballot races in North Carolina gaining national attention this year is the contest for state superintendent. Democrat Mo Green and Republican Michele Morrow are both political newcomers, and their politics couldn't be further apart. -
Mike Causey is seeking a third term but faces a challenge from Natasha Marcus. Both candidates agree that in the wake of the flooding in western North Carolina, more homeowners need to have access to flood insurance – and often the mapping and data used to make coverage decisions are outdated or inaccurate. -
Longtime incumbent Steve Troxler is again seeking reelection to an office he’s held for two decades. Democrat Sarah Taber is challenging him. Agriculture is North Carolina’s largest industry, and while the Agriculture Commissioner doesn’t generate frequent headlines, the job is crucial to the state’s economy. -
With long-time state auditor Beth Wood resigning after misusing state vehicles and crashing one of them, her appointed replacement is vying for a full term in a race full of issues ranging from the DMV to DEI. Incumbent Democrat Jessica Holmes faces Republican Dave Boliek.
-
While you might assume incorrectly that the Office of State Treasurer is where tax revenue gets processed, it’s actually a key position that oversees pension fund investments for state retirees and manages the state employees’ healthcare plan. -
North Carolina’s attorney general is a key – and powerful – position in the state. In addition to being the state’s top lawyer, it’s also been a launch pad to the governor’s office. Two congressmen, Republican Dan Bishop and Democrat Jeff Jackson, are vying for the seat. -
It is already illegal for noncitizens to vote in federal or state elections. The current entry in the North Carolina constitution says that voting is limited to “every person born in the United States and every other person who has been naturalized, 18 years of age.” -
Three seats are open on the state's second highest court. -
The office of lieutenant governor in North Carolina doesn't come with much power, but it's often a stepping stone for leaders who eventually run for governor.
