Thursday, October 8, 2026
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Gaston County, NC (WNN) - Matt Buchanan, a lifelong Gaston County resident and Democratic candidate, is challenging Cathy Cloninger for the Dallas Township seat on the Gaston County Board of Commissioners. His campaign focuses on healthcare, education, government transparency, and responsible county spending.
If elected, Buchanan said he would work to ensure county decisions reflect the needs of residents and taxpayers while encouraging greater accountability among elected officials.
Buchanan, 23, is a lifelong Gaston County resident who grew up in a conservative Baptist household. He said his political views began to shift after graduating high school and pursuing a career in healthcare. Describing himself as a pragmatist, Buchanan believes government should work to support the people it serves.
"I think it's time for a change. I think we need normal people back into politics. We need to get rid of some of these dynasties, and we need to make it work for people again."
- Matt Buchanan
Buchanan identified education and healthcare as two of his priorities, emphasizing the importance of bipartisan cooperation among county commissioners. He suggested commissioners evaluate opportunities to increase funding for schools while reviewing county expenditures to identify unnecessary spending and areas where resources could be better allocated. Buchanan also expressed interest in developing partnerships with schools and universities to create programs aimed at training and recruiting healthcare professionals. He emphasized the connection between education and workforce development, arguing that a thriving local economy is closely tied to educational opportunities and a skilled workforce.
Matt Buchanan, candidate for Gaston County Commissioner, Dallas Township | October 6, 2026
During the interview, the topic of transparency across the board was discussed. As a candidate for county commissioner, he would like better access to public records and for commissioners to explain their votes to the general public rather than voting and moving on to the next item on the agenda. Saying officials shouldn't make decisions without explaining their reasoning.
Involving the current Project Legacy, interviewer Rusty Wise raised concerns that the public is receiving limited information about the project. Buchanan said he was concerned about approving initiatives without sufficient information about a company's identity. Arguing that the county should evaluate the long-term benefits of incentives and how much economic activity remains in Gaston County.
Regarding the recent meeting about the county's schedule of values, Buchanan said the county should investigate how the errors occurred and take steps to prevent similar issues in the future, as the county commissioners need to take responsibility for their errors.
When asked about the county police department and the Gaston County Sheriff's Office, Buchanan acknowledged the financial impact of maintaining both agencies on taxpayers. He suggested commissioners consider conducting a study to determine the most effective and financially responsible approach to law enforcement services in the county, noting that certain changes would require approval from the state.
The discussion also turned to the new sports complex and recent news surrounding the dissolution of the Gastonia Ghost Peppers. Although Buchanan expressed his personal interest in combat sports, he questioned whether funding for sports-related projects should take priority over other county needs. He said he would prefer to see resources directed toward education and infrastructure.
Matt Buchanan during his in-studio interview with WNN - October 6, 2026
As a Dallas resident, Buchanan also addressed concerns surrounding Elevra and its potential impact on nearby communities. He pointed to questions involving groundwater testing, residential properties and private well water as issues that deserve careful consideration. While Buchanan said he is not opposed to the jobs or tax revenue associated with economic development, he emphasized the importance of protecting residents from potential long-term environmental consequences.
Regarding zoning decisions, Buchanan returned to his broader concerns about government transparency. He argued that commissioners should explain the reasoning behind zoning decisions, whether before or after a vote, to ensure residents understand how and why those decisions are made. He said failing to provide those explanations does a disservice to the community and undermines public transparency.
Buchanan also discussed the use of Flock automated license plate recognition cameras by law enforcement agencies. With state funding being directed toward law enforcement technology, Buchanan raised concerns about the potential implications of the cameras for Fourth Amendment protections and individual privacy rights. He characterized the technology as a potential infringement on constitutional rights and expressed concerns about possible abuses of power and false accusations. Rather than dismissing law enforcement needs, Buchanan said he would like to work with local agencies to explore alternative approaches that balance public safety with residents' privacy and constitutional protections.
You can learn more about Buchanan's campaign through his website, listed here.
Voter registration in Gaston County is open until October 9, 2026, with mail-in voting having already begun and ending on October 20, 2026. Early voting runs from Thursday, October 15, through Saturday, October 31. The traditional voting day will be on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, and final results should be announced by November 13, 2026. To sign up to talk about your own platform, head to this article to book a time to visit us in the studio. All political affiliations and positions are welcome to speak.
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