A dozen candidates enter Beaufort County Council races within days of filing period
A crowded race is already taking shape for the Beaufort County Council, with a dozen candidates filing within the first few days of the two-week period, including five incumbents seeking another term.
Eight of the council’s 11 seats are scheduled to appear on the November ballot, with those terms set to expire by the end of the year. It means the council — tasked with setting policies and local ordinances, approving the annual budget, overseeing county services and balancing development with preservation — could have a very different makeup come 2027.
So far, the following candidates have submitted their declaration forms (those in bold are those who currently hold those seats):
- From District 2: David Bartholomew (R)
- From District 4: Michael J.D. Andersen (R)
- From District 5: Joshua Hower (R) and Joe Maiorano (R)
- From District 6: Tab Tabernik (R) and Carolyn Fournier (D)
- From District 8: Paula Brown (R) and Kraig Gordon (R)
- From District 9: Mark Lawson (R) and Beth Gillespie (R)
- From District 10: John Casey (R)
- From District 11: Tom Reitz (R)
Candidates have until March 30 to file.
Other Beaufort County campaigns
Beaufort County voters will also decide the fate of the next Beaufort County Sheriff, Treasurer, Auditor and Probate Judge.
Longtime Beaufort County Sheriff P.J. Tanner recently announced he will not seek reelection. So far, only one candidate, Doug Seifert, a 20-year veteran of the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office, has entered the race for the county’s top law enforcement leader.
The county’s longtime Republican treasurer, Maria Walls, also announced her campaign for reelection. So far, Scott Songer — running as a Democrat — is the only other candidate to file for the seat.
Heather Galvin, the Beaufort County Probate Judge, is running for reelection, and so far remains unopposed. No one has filed for the county’s auditor position.
This story was originally published March 20, 2026 at 4:45 AM.
