I'm a husband and dad living in Boone, where my family works, plays, and calls home. I'm a Deep Gap firefighter and a veteran.

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David Luther is a husband and father living in Boone, North Carolina. He is working on his masters degree in business administration from the University of North Carolina.

David is a firefighter and army veteran. 

David's campaign for Watauga County commissioner, District 2, is his first time running for public office.

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

Economy

Wants to expand access to childcare through existing community providers

- Wants to expand access to childcare through existing community providers

Public Services

Supports implementing a tenant bill of rights to establish a minimum housing code and provide recourse for tenants facing issues like lack of heat or black mold.

- Supports implementing a tenant bill of rights to establish a minimum housing code and provide recourse for tenants facing issues like lack of heat or black mold.

Housing & Urban Development

Public Safety

Believes in investing in safe walking routes and crossings "where people actually live — especially just outside town limits."

- Believes in investing in safe walking routes and crossings "where people actually live — especially just outside town limits."

Transportation & Infrastructure

Energy & the Environment

Instagram

David Luther

Emileigh Crouch

Buket Urgen

Ray is from Manchester, Tennessee. He attended the Georgia Institute of Technology. He has a bachelor's degree in Bible, master's degrees in mathematics and computer science, and a doctorate in computer science from the Georgia Institute of Technology. He lives with his wife, Rhonda Russell, near Boone, North Carolina.

Ray is from Manchester, Tennessee. He has a bachelor's degree in Bible from Freed-Hardamen University, master's degrees in mathematics and computer science from the University of Memphis, and a doctorate in computer science from the Georgia Institute of Technology. He lives with his wife, Rhonda, near Boone, North Carolina.

Ray is a computer science teacher. He works at Appalachian State University, where he has been for 29 years. He previously taught at universities across the Southeastern United States for ten years.

Ray  currently works as the owner of RaysWeather.com, a meteorological service. He previously worked as a computer science professor at Appalachian State University.

Ray Russell is currently a member of the North Carolina House of Representatives representing District 93. He was elected in 2022 and is currently serving his first term.

Primary ballot set with contested local races - Watauga Democrat

Ray previously served as a member of the Watauga County Commission. He was first appointed in 2022, and served until 2024. Ray previously served as a member of the North Carolina House of Representatives for District 93. He served one term from 2019 to 2021.

Supports investing in job skills training through community colleges.

Supports increasing unemployment benefits and extending the duration of support.

Supports increasing access to childcare, education, and services for parents, caregivers, and children.

- Supports investing in job skills training through community colleges.
- Supports increasing unemployment benefits and extending the duration of support.
- Supports increasing access to childcare, education, and services for parents, caregivers, and children.

Supports increasing teacher pay, school funding, and new school construction.

- Supports increasing teacher pay, school funding, and new school construction.

Supports increasing access to workforce and affordable housing.

- Supports increasing access to workforce and affordable housing.

As county commissioner, supported building a new emergency services building and improving emergency communications.

- As county commissioner, supported building a new emergency services building and improving emergency communications.

Supports expanding broadband access to underserved communities.

- Supports expanding broadband access to underserved communities.

As a state representative, sponsored House Bill (HB) 632 to ban fracking in North Carolina.

Promises to protect natural resources and hold environmental violators accountable.

Promises "to protect our natural resources and to hold violators accountable."

- As a state representative, sponsored House Bill (HB) 632 to ban fracking in North Carolina.
- Promises "to protect our natural resources and to hold violators accountable."

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Ray Russell

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

Said, "Ray Russell does not support defunding the police."

- 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.

Watauga County Commissioner, District 2, Democratic Primary

Election results

Candidates (2)