Thursday, October 1, 2026
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Gaston County, NC (WNN) - One of the two Republican Candidates for the Dallas, NC, Township seat of the Gaston County Board of Commissioners, Cathy Cloninger, came to WNN Studios to speak on her platform. Cloninger is the incumbent, having been elected in 2022, and the challenger is Dennis Stines. She says she is running again because of her deep love for Gaston County, hoping to use her experience to continue representing the community.
Cloninger grew up in Cherryville, NC, and says she still considers it home. Her father, Elwood Mabry, spent many hours in public service, serving on the rescue squad and the volunteer fire department. Cloninger attributes growing up around it to her own dedication to public service. She enjoys the family-type atmosphere of rural Gaston County, noting the care taken to preserve the original details of structures that people remember as important. Cloninger attended the Cherryville Education system before earning a bachelor's degree at Mars Hill College. Cathy is married to retired Gaston County Sheriff Alan Cloninger.
Locals may recognize Cloninger from her previous position in public service as the shelter coordinator in Gastonia. After her retirement in 2017, the shelter was renamed "The Cathy Mabry Cloninger Center" in her honor. After winning the 2022 Dallas Township Commissioner election, she feels she has learned through her experience that local decisions affect citizens. Because of this, she wants to continue so she can help make thoughtful, responsible decisions for Gaston County.
Cloninger feels that people want to see good stewards of taxpayer dollars and finds it essential to focus on basic services. She says people are concerned about costs amid the general price rise, meaning local officials must be more aware of spending on what is needed in the community.
It is no secret that NC education ranks poorly. Cloninger feels that, despite this, NC educators are working tremendously hard. She believes she must do everything possible at the county level to push the state to adequately fund and prioritize education. Infrastructure is one of the major jobs of a commissioner, but Cloninger also mentions that they've helped with teacher supplements.
Cloninger believes the current Gaston County School Board and commissioners work well together. The two boards meet to approve the annual budget, and after the Gaston County Commissioners approve it, the school system distributes funds to the designated departments. She adds that the superintendent and county manager then meet regularly to determine what else is needed.
Cloninger strongly supports public safety officers and believes these people and their families deserve full public support for their service. As a result, she feels that both the Gaston County Sheriff and the Gaston County Police are providing an essential service by keeping Gaston County homes safe.
With the expansion of infrastructure in Gaston County, Cloninger wants the board to be proactive and plan for this growth. She hopes to address infrastructure and service problems before they arise. Cloninger says the board has had success working with Apple Creek in developing Gaston County.
The people of Gaston County will contact her, and she feels it is important to connect others with the services they need. She enjoys helping citizens figure out which department best suits their needs and connecting them, making the process less intimidating for locals. Cloninger sees her current position as a way to help from a broader perspective. She sees the different positions as a strong team and speaks with them for guidance when needed, to ensure she is a responsible representative of the taxpayers.
Cloninger's full interview with WNN reporter Rusty Wise is in the video below. Remember that the Republican candidate decision will be made on March 3rd, 2026. Early voting starts on February 12th and runs through the 28th. The mail-in (absentee) ballot request deadline is February 17th. Mail-in ballots started going out to voters on January 12th. If you are a candidate or incumbent who would like to speak publicly about your stances, email newsdesk@wisenewsnetwork.com.
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