2026 Primary Election Results for Gaston, Lincoln, Cleveland NC

Cherryville, NC (WNN) - The unofficial results are in for the March 3rd, 2026, North Carolina Primary Election.  Results per NCSBE for Gaston, Lincoln, and Cleveland Counties of North Carolina.

2026 Primary Election at the Cherryville North Polling Place - Second Baptist Church, Cherryville, NC - March 3rd, 2026

Rusty Wise (WNN)

Gaston County Sheriff - Rep

Chad Hawkins - 8,830 votes  (52.28%)

Robbie Waldrop - 8,059 votes (47.72%)

NC House of Representatives 110 - Rep

Caroline Eason - 3,575 votes  (53.69%)

Kelly Hastings - 3,084 votes  (46.31%)

NC House District 110 Candidate Caroline Eason interviewing at WNN Studios - January 12th, 2026

Mason Beam (WNN)

Gaston County Commissioner Dallas TWP - Rep

Cathy Cloninger - 10,693 votes  (65.73%)

Dennis Stines - 5,574 votes (34.27%)

Cathy Cloninger during her WNN Studio interview - Cherryville, NC - January 22, 2026

Mason Beam (WNN)

Gaston County Board of Education - Dem

Che'z Adams - 6,368  votes  (71.01%)

Lee Dedmon -  2,600  votes  (28.99%)

Lincoln County Winners 

Lincolnton Mayor (Rep) - Jill Tipton

Lincoln County Register of Deeds (Rep) - Melissa Elmore

Melissa Elmore during her WNN Studio interview - Cherryville, NC - February 10th, 2026

Mason Beam (WNN)

Lincoln County Clerk of Superior Court (Rep) - Stacey Lenoard Crouse

Stacey Crouse during her WNN Studio interview - Cherryville, NC - February 11th, 2026

Mason Beam (WNN)

Lincoln County Board of Education at Large  (Rep) - Tony Jenkins

Lincoln County Board of Education District 02  (Rep) - Jennifer Raimey

Lincoln County Board of Commissioners (2 Rep) - David Carpenter, Bud Cesena

Cleveland County Winners

Cleveland County Board of Commissioners (2 Rep) - Wayne Key, Doug Bridges

Cleveland County Board of Education (4 Rep) - Danny Blanton, Ronnie Grigg, Robert Queen, Aaron Bridges

Ronnie Grigg during his WNN Studio interview - Cherryville, NC - February 18th, 2026

Mason Beam (WNN)

Aaron Bridges during his WNN Studio interview - Cherryville, NC - February 4th, 2026

Mason Beam (WNN)

State Winners

US House District 14 - Tim Moore (Rep), Lakesha Womack (Dem)

US House District 10 - Pat Harrigan (Rep), Ashley Bell (Dem)

US Senate - Roy Cooper (Dem), Michael Whatley (Rep)

NC Court of Appeals Judge Seat 01 (Rep) - Matt Smith

NC Court of Appeals Judge Seat 03 (Dem) - Christine Walczyk

For the full candidate results, click here.

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