Christine Kushner and Mona Singh will advance to the general election for at-large positions on the Wake County Board of Commissioners following the Democratic primary, according to preliminary results published by the North Carolina State Board of Elections (NCSBE).
Preliminary results show Christine Kushner leading with 68,562 votes (29,61%), followed by Mona Singh with 50,604 votes (21,86%).
Third place went to Jonathan Lambert-Melton with 18,01%, while Kimberly McGhee and Steve S. Rao each received approximately 11%. Robert Mitchener Jr. and Marguerite Creel came in last with 4,98% and 3,73%, respectively.
The results still need to be certified by the State Board of Elections.
What are the new “at-large” positions and why do they matter?
"At-large" offices are positions in which commissioners are elected by all voters in the county, unlike district offices, which represent only specific geographic areas.
The 2026 election is historic because, according to HB 99 passed by the General Assembly At the state level, two additional at-large positions are created on the Wake County Board of Commissioners.
To implement staggered terms, the candidate with the most votes in November will receive a four-year term. The runner-up will have a two-year term.
This ensures that in future elections only one of these seats will be renewed every two years, maintaining continuity and stability in the county administration.
These positions are especially important because their holders represent the entire population of the county, including Raleigh, Cary, Apex, and other communities.
Functions of the Board of Commissioners
The Board of Commissioners oversees several key functions for the county, including the following priorities:
- Planning and approval of the county budget.
- Public health and social services.
- Infrastructure and transport maintenance.
- Housing, economic development and coordination with local agencies.
Related: Four Democrats on the Mecklenburg Board of Commissioners remain in their positions
What to expect in the general election
The two Democratic candidates, Kushner and Singh, advance to the general election on November 3, 2026, where they will face Republican candidates for the two available "at-large" positions.
Since only two Republican candidates filed for these positions, the Republican Party did not hold a primary. The Republican candidates who will compete in November are Gary Hartong and Kyle Stogoski, both first-time candidates.
There will also be a competitive race for the District 2 seat in the general election. Districts 1, 3, and 7 are up for grabs this year, but the current incumbents are unopposed in those races.
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