Polk County has several contested races in 2024.
Polk County Soil and Water Conservation District Supervisor
Randy Smith
Nonpartisan race
Smith is running uncontested. He does not have a campaign website and his campaign is not active on social media. Smith did not respond to inquiries to fill out BPR’s survey.
Polk County Board of Commissioners
Ray Gasperson
Democratic Party
Gasperson currently serves on the Polk County Agriculture Advisory Board. More information on him can be found on his campaign website. He is also active on Facebook. Gasperson did not respond to inquiries to fill out BPR’s survey.
Jennifer Hargett
Republican Party
Hargett does not have a campaign website and her campaign is not active on social media. Hargett did not respond to inquiries to fill out BPR’s survey.
Libby Morris
Democratic Party
Morris previously worked as an engineer. More information on her can be found on her campaign website. Her campaign is not active on social media. Morris did not respond to inquiries to fill out BPR’s survey.
Karen Pack
Democratic Party
More information on Pack can be found on her campaign website. Her campaign is not active on social media. Pack did not respond to inquiries to fill out BPR’s survey.
Myron Yoder
Republican Party
Yoder currently serves as a Polk County commissioner. He does not have a campaign website. He is active on Facebook. Yoder did not respond to inquiries to fill out BPR’s survey.
Paul (Little) Beiler
Republican Party
Beiler currently serves as a Polk County commissioner. He does not have a campaign website. He is active on Facebook. Beiler did not respond to inquiries to fill out BPR’s survey.
Polk County Board of Education Saluda Township
Rob Parsons
Democratic Party
Parsons currently serves on the Polk County school board. He does not have a campaign website. He is active on Facebook. Parsons did not respond to inquiries to fill out BPR’s survey.
Rick Stich
Republican Party
Where are you from?
Louisville, KY
What is your top priority if elected?
Ensure a Quality Education for the children of Polk County, NC
What do you wish the community knew about this office?
It guides the education of their children
What is one thing that you want to say to voters?
I want your child to be able to succeed and flourish.
Where do you currently live?
Saluda, NC
Polk County Board of Education Tryon Township
Rick Covil
Democratic Party
Covil currently serves as the Vice Chair for the Polk County school board. He does not have a campaign website or a public social media profile. Civil did not respond to inquiries to fill out BPR’s survey.
Polk County Board of Education White Oak Township
Syd Mutschler
Democratic Party
Mutscler does not have a campaign website or public social media. Mutscler did not respond to inquiries to fill out BPR’s survey.
Lucinda (Cindy) Allen
Unaffiliated
Allen currently serves on the Polk County school board. She does not have a campaign website or public social media. Allen did not respond to inquiries to fill out BPR’s survey.
Polk County Board of Education Register of Deeds
Sheila W. Whitmire
Republican Party
Where are you from?
Polk County
What is your top priority if elected?
To continue serving the citizens of Polk County
What do you wish the community knew about this office?
The importance of this office. The Register of Deeds Office houses all land as well as vital records pertaining to Polk County
What is one thing that you want to say to voters?
I would like to thank the voters for their support over the last 24 years and hope to have their continued support in the upcoming election.
Where do you currently live?
Polk County
U.S. House District 14
Part of Polk County sits in the NC-14 District.
The district is currently represented by Democratic Rep. Jeff Jackson. The district maps were redrawn and Jackson was widely seen as "redistricted out of a seat." Republican House Speaker Tim Moore is running for the seat against Democrat Pamela Genant. Genant's priorities are listed on her campaign website. Moore's priorities are listed on his campaign website.
-
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.
