Chris Sutton

About this race

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.

8 candidates ran for New Hanover County Board of Education in the general election on Tuesday, November 3, 2026.

About Chris Sutton

Maintenance technician. A Republican challenger and lifelong New Hanover County resident who says he has spent more than seven years attending board meetings and advocating for students, including students with disabilities; he cites bringing LifeVac devices into schools and helping establish women's wrestling. He is a parent of two young children.

What they say they'll focus on:

• Transparency: meaningful answers to parents, public-records reform, more recorded meetings
• Less screen time and clear AI guidelines
• HVAC monitoring and fencing for campus safety
• Gradual, not sudden, campus consolidation
• Retain experienced teachers at low-performing schools

In their own words: WECT / Port City Daily / WHQR / The Seahawk media consortium questionnaire

Summarized in our words from source 1, source 2, checked October 2026. Not an endorsement.

Where they stand

Moderately right, AI estimate from their own website (73% confidence).

How we got this: our AI model read their campaign site and placed Chris Sutton by the policy positions stated there. It is never told the candidate's party. The positions it found: education & schools (moderately right) (details under Issue by issue).

73% confidence means the positions it found mostly pointed one way. We show an AI estimate only at 70% or higher, and it's less certain than a voting record or donor score. How AI estimates work · the exact instructions it follows

Issue by issue

AI-estimated from their own website, never told the candidate's party. The percentage is the AI's confidence in which way that stance leans. An issue appears only when the AI finds a clearly stated position (it must be at least 60% sure they took one) and is at least 70% confident in its direction; otherwise we leave the issue out. The exact instructions

More about Chris Sutton

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Also running

• Josie Barnhart · Republican
• Pat Bradford · Republican
• Wendy Dale · Democrat
• Amy Dunning · Republican
• Margie Gewirtzman · Democrat
• Jerry Jones, Jr. · Democrat
• Brittnei LaRue · Democrat

Compare everyone in this race →

Next elections here

• 2028 presidential election · Who has filed so far, from FEC filings

Quick answers

What party is Chris Sutton?

Chris Sutton is running as a Republican.

What does the New Hanover County Board of Education seat 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 is Chris Sutton running against?

Josie Barnhart, Pat Bradford, Wendy Dale, Amy Dunning, Margie Gewirtzman, Jerry Jones, Jr. and Brittnei LaRue, for New Hanover County Board of Education.

Is Chris Sutton liberal or conservative?

On SpectrumVote's left–right scale, Chris Sutton is moderately right, AI estimate from their own website (73% confidence). This is an AI estimate and less certain than a published score.

Should I vote for Chris Sutton?

SpectrumVote doesn't endorse anyone or tell you how to vote. Compare Chris Sutton's record, funding and endorsements with the other candidates in this race and decide based on what matters to you.