Caldwell commissioner and school board races heat up

Jennifer Whittington attended Auburn University.

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Jennifer is retired. She was formely healthcare financial officer.

Jennifer Whittington's campaign for Caldwell County Commissioner is her first entry into politics.

Jennifer is a former commissioner in North Carolina's Department of Natural Resources.

As of January 2, 2026, Jennifer Whittington did not have a website or any information online.

Economy

Public Services

Housing & Urban Development

Public Safety

Transportation & Infrastructure

Energy & the Environment

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Jennifer Whittington

As of January 2, 2026, Jennifer Whittington’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Buket Urgen

Alex Moss is from Lenoir, North Carolina.

Alex's campaign for Caldwell County commissioner is his first time running for public office.

Facebook

As of January 2, 2026, Alex Moss did not have a website or any information online.

Alex Moss

As of January 2, 2026, Alex Moss’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Griffin newspaper response

Ben Griffin is a resident of Caldwell County, a veteran, and a graduate of Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute with an Associate’s degree.

Griffin runs for county commissioner

Ben is the president of Ben Griffin Realtors Builders.

Ben previously ran for Caldwell County commissioner in 2024 but did not win.

Ben Griffin (Caldwell County Board of Commissioners, North ...

Ben served one term on the council from 2008-2012 but lost his bid for re-election.

As of January 2, 2026, Ben Griffin did not have a website or any information online.

Ben Griffin

As of January 2, 2026, Ben Griffin’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Corey Moore

Corey is the owner and operator of a bail bonds company in Caldwell County. She runs the business, helping clients post bail, manage necessary paperwork, and navigate the legal process to secure release. She prioritizes making the process easy and stress-free, putting her clients’ needs first.

Corey Moore's campaign for Caldwell County Commissioner in the Republican primary is her first entry into politics.

As of January 2, 2026, Corey Moore’s website did not contain information on this issue.

All Women Owned And Operated Coco Bail Bonds recently moved ...

Advocates for growing the tax base through business recruitment and job creation rather than increasing property tax rates. She seeks to achieve "revenue neutral" property tax rates.

- Advocates for growing the tax base through business recruitment and job creation rather than increasing property tax rates. She seeks to achieve "revenue neutral" property tax rates.

As of January 2, 2026, Corey Moore did not have a website or any information online.

Favors rehabilitating vacant storefronts and underused properties over extending new infrastructure for sprawl. She evaluates new infrastructure based on necessity, cost, and impact on quality of life.

- Favors rehabilitating vacant storefronts and underused properties over extending new infrastructure for sprawl. She evaluates new infrastructure based on necessity, cost, and impact on quality of life.

Donnie is currently a Caldwell County Commissioner. He was first elected in 2022.

Donnie Potter (Caldwell County Board of Commissioners, North ...

Candidate Information | Caldwell County, NC

Caldwell County commissioners' fight sparks public concern ...

As of January 2, 2026, Donnie Potter did not have a website or any information online.

Wants to "strengthen the services" for those who undergo substance abuse treatment.

- Wants to "strengthen the services" for those who undergo substance abuse treatment.

Donnie Potter

As of January 2, 2026, Donnie Potter’s website did not contain information on this issue.

For Candidate Donnie Potter on Issue public-safety:  
Involved in a physical altercation with another commissioner during a Caldwell County Board of Commissioner's meeting.

Gonzalo previously ran for Caldwell County Commissioner in 2022.

Caldwell County, North Carolina, elections, 2022 - Ballotpedia

Eleven running for two county commission seats

As of January 2, 2026, Gonzalo Vazquez Napoles did not have a website or any information online.

Gonzalo Vazquez Napoles

As of January 2, 2026, Gonzalo Vazquez Napoles’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Jeremy Benge is from Caldwell County, North Carolina. He and his wife, Karen, have a daughter.

Jeremy Benge has a wife and daughter. He studied at Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute

Jeremy is a small business owner in Caldwell County.

Jeremy Benge's campaign for Caldwell County commissioner is his first time running for public office.

Supports policies that provide resources and opportunities for entrepreneurs to sustain economic vitality.

Supports policies that provide resources and opportunities for entrepreneurs to "sustain economic vitality."

Wants to develop training and education partnerships to equip residents with skills for high-demand careers and local success.

Wants to develop training and education partnerships to equip residents with skills for "high-demand careers and local success."

- Supports policies that provide resources and opportunities for entrepreneurs to "sustain economic vitality."
- Wants to develop training and education partnerships to equip residents with skills for "high-demand careers and local success."

As of January 2, 2026, Jeremy Benge’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Supports "environmentally responsible policies for long-term county prosperity."

- Supports "environmentally responsible policies for long-term county prosperity."

Jeremy Benge

Commissioners

Mike Caldwell is a graduate of Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute with a degree in business administration. Mike has a wife and three children.

Mike has worked as an insurance agent for Farm Bureau Insurance for 17 years.

Mike LaBrose's campaign for Caldwell County Commissioner is his first entry into politics.

Caldwell school board and commissioner races intensify | News ...

Mike has been a County Commissioner in Caldwell County for 12 years. Prior to serving on the County Commission Board, he served on the Caldwell County School Board for 14 years.

As a county commissioner, voted against the budget because the property tax rate is set above revenue neutral.

As of January 2, 2026, Mike LaBrose did not have a website or any information online.

Supports investing in infrastructure improvements.

- Supports investing in infrastructure improvements.

Mike LaBrose

Mike Caldwell is a graduate of Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute with a degree in business administration. Mike has a wife and three children

As of January 2, 2026, Mike LaBrose’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Steven Fekete, Jr.

- County Commissioners create and pass laws at the county-level. These laws show up in very tangible ways, such as determining how much you pay property and sales tax rates, public transportation, and maintaining infrastructure.
- County Commissioners are responsible for preparing and passing the county budget. The budget determines how much funding goes to various public services, such as public transportation, law enforcement, repairing roads, and maintaining infrastructure.
- County Commissioners oversee the administrative duties of your county’s government to ensure the safety, comfort, and well-being of county residents.
- County Commissioners can create, change, or abolish offices, positions, departments that are not required by law. 
- County Commissioners are elected to 4-year terms, with no term limits. Typically, you only vote for the County Commissioner that represents your county commission district.