New Hanover County Board of Education

Last updated Sat, Nov 7, 4:33 PM ET

8 candidates · General election, November 3, 2026

What this office does

Governs the local public school district. Sets the school budget and local school taxes, hires and oversees the superintendent, and approves curriculum, school calendars and policies.

Candidates

Josie BarnhartIncumbent

Republican · Mathematics educator · $40K raised (state filings)
Moderately right · AI estimate from their own website (83% confidence)

Pat BradfordIncumbent

Republican · Retired publisher; freelance writer · $86K raised (state filings)
Not enough public record yet to place on the left–right scale.

Wendy Dale

Democrat · Legal/corporate contracts manager
Not enough public record yet to place on the left–right scale.

Amy Dunning

Republican · Teacher
Not enough public record yet to place on the left–right scale.

Margie Gewirtzman

Democrat · Bookkeeper · $37K raised (state filings)
Strongly left · AI estimate from their own website (77% confidence)

Jerry Jones, Jr.

Democrat · Environmental chemist and bookstore owner · $65K raised (state filings)
Not enough public record yet to place on the left–right scale.

Brittnei LaRue

Democrat · Financial professional · $40K raised (state filings)
Not enough public record yet to place on the left–right scale.

Chris Sutton

Republican · Maintenance technician
Moderately right · AI estimate from their own website (73% confidence)

Filled dots are published academic scores; hollow dots are AI estimates from the candidate's own public record. How placements work.

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Quick answers

Who is running for New Hanover County Board of Education in 2026?
Josie Barnhart (Republican), Pat Bradford (Republican), Wendy Dale (Democrat), Amy Dunning (Republican), Margie Gewirtzman (Democrat), Jerry Jones, Jr. (Democrat), Brittnei LaRue (Democrat) and Chris Sutton (Republican).
Who is the incumbent?
Josie Barnhart and Pat Bradford currently holds this office.
What does this office do?
Governs the local public school district. Sets the school budget and local school taxes, hires and oversees the superintendent, and approves curriculum, school calendars and policies.
Who should I vote for in the New Hanover County Board of Education race?
SpectrumVote doesn't endorse anyone or tell you how to vote. Compare each candidate's record, funding, outside spending and endorsements on this page, then decide based on the issues that matter most to you. Enter your address at spectrumvote.com to see this race next to everything else on your ballot.
When is the election?
The general election was Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Counts are unofficial until each state certifies its results over the following weeks; your state or county election office has the official results.

Not sure how to decide? Read our nonpartisan guide to the New Hanover County ballot.

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