American Aquarium's BJ Barham is running for office in Wendell ...

B.J. Barham grew up in Reidsville, North Carolina. He attended North Carolina State University, where he studied political science and history. He lives with his wife, Rachael, and their daughter.

American Aquarium's BJ Barham running for local office | Raleigh ...

B.J. Barham is the founder and frontman of alt-country band American Aquarium. 

B.J. Barham (Wendell Town Council, North Carolina, candidate ...

B.J. Barham's campaign for Wendell Town Commissioner is his first entry into politics.

As of September 4, 2025, B.J. Barham did not have a website or any information online.

Economy

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Believes many new apartments and townhomes in Wendell are not truly affordable, with prices starting at $350,000 to $400,000 and rents at $3,000 a month.

- Believes many new apartments and townhomes in Wendell are not truly affordable, with prices starting at $350,000 to $400,000 and rents at $3,000 a month.

Housing & Urban Development

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Wants to purchase more land from the county for future parks and recreation projects.

- Wants to purchase more land from the county for future parks and recreation projects.

Public Safety

Believes Wendell has "outgrown its resources" and is concerned about the lack of infrastructure development, such as roads, schools, and medical facilities.

Wants to address the lack of sidewalks in downtown.

Wants to improve the county's "outdated stormwater and drainage infrastructure."

Wants to improve the town's "outdated stormwater and drainage infrastructure."

- Believes Wendell has "outgrown its resources" and is concerned about the lack of infrastructure development, such as roads, schools, and medical facilities.
- Wants to address the lack of sidewalks in downtown.
- Wants to improve the town's "outdated stormwater and drainage infrastructure."

Transportation & Infrastructure

Education

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B.J. Barham

- Believes Wendell has "outgrown its resources" and is concerned about the lack of infrastructure development, such as roads, schools, and medical facilities.

B.J. Barham grew up in Reidsville, North Carolina. He attended North Carolina State University, where he double majored in political science and history. He lives with his wife, Rachael, and their infant daughter, Josephine Pearl, in Wendell.

Walter Ley

Believes the term "affordable housing" is misleading when apartments and townhomes start at $350,000 or $400,000, saying, "The only people benefitting here are the developers."

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Christopher Critzer has a master's degree in nurse anesthetist from Old Dominion University.

Christopher is the Chief Executive Officer of Voyage Anesthesia.

Christopher M. Critzer (Wendell Town Council, North Carolina ...

Christopher's campaign for Wendell Town Commissioner is his first entry into politics.

As of September 4, 2025, Christopher M. Critzer did not have a website or any information online.

Opposes the most recent downtown master streetscape plan, saying it "makes room for golf cart travel on South Main, I feel the plan is too limited in scope and doesn’t adequately prepare for growth 10+ years down the line. We need bolder, future-focused planning."

- Opposes the most recent downtown master streetscape plan, saying it "makes room for golf cart travel on South Main, I feel the plan is too limited in scope and doesn’t adequately prepare for growth 10+ years down the line. We need bolder, future-focused planning."

Plans to review the Wendell Police Department, expand patrols, and ensure officers receive adequate training and resources.

Plans to review the Wendell Police Department, expand patrols to high-traffic areas, and ensure officers receive adequate training and resources.

- Plans to review the Wendell Police Department, expand patrols to high-traffic areas, and ensure officers receive adequate training and resources.

Proposed a small 2-3 level parking structure downtown to support business growth, improve accessibility, and relieve traffic congestion.

- Proposed a small 2-3 level parking structure downtown to support business growth, improve accessibility, and relieve traffic congestion.

Christopher M. Critzer

Christopher M. Critzer's campaign for Wendell Town Commissioner is his first entry into politics.

Deans Eatman (Wendell Town Council, North Carolina, candidate ...

Deans Eatman

Deans Eatman is from Rocky Mount, North Carolina. He attended Roanoke Rapids High School and earned a bachelor's degree from North Carolina State University. He is a member of Wendell United Methodist Church.

Deans works as the deputy secretary for the North Carolin Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. 

Deans is currently a Wendell Town Commissioner. He was elected in 2021 and is serving his first term.

Supports revitalizing downtown through business-friendly policies, targeted incentives, and a new streetscape plan.

Supports competitive raises and pay adjustments for town staff, expanding salary ranges to attract and retain skilled employees, adding new staff in key areas, and investing in improved workspaces and town facilities.

- Supports revitalizing downtown through business-friendly policies, targeted incentives, and a new streetscape plan.
- Supports competitive raises and pay adjustments for town staff, expanding salary ranges to attract and retain skilled employees, adding new staff in key areas, and investing in improved workspaces and town facilities.

Supports expanding parks, trails, and cultural programming to enhance community connection and quality of life.

As a town commissioner, worked to conserve land for parks, open space, and agriculture.

Supports conserving land for parks, open space, and agriculture.

- Supports expanding parks, trails, and cultural programming to enhance community connection and quality of life.
- Supports conserving land for parks, open space, and agriculture.

Supports a mix of housing types to meet the needs of Wendell's growing and diverse population.

Supports affordable homeownership initiatives, such as partnering with Habitat for Humanity on town-owned land.

- Supports a mix of housing types to meet the needs of Wendell's growing and diverse population.
- Supports affordable homeownership initiatives, such as partnering with Habitat for Humanity on town-owned land.

Supports strong public safety services and the people who provide them.

- Supports strong public safety services and the people who provide them.

Supports expanding sidewalk and greenway networks to promote safe walking and biking to schools, parks, and downtown.

Supports upgrading stormwater systems, maintaining streets, and improving traffic safety through consistent investment and planning.

Advocates for regional transportation solutions and seeks funding at the local, state, and federal levels to meet infrastructure needs.

Supports the development of greenways and trail connections.

- Supports expanding sidewalk and greenway networks to promote safe walking and biking to schools, parks, and downtown.
- Supports upgrading stormwater systems, maintaining streets, and improving traffic safety through consistent investment and planning.
- Advocates for regional transportation solutions and seeks funding at the local, state, and federal levels to meet infrastructure needs.
- Supports the development of greenways and trail connections.

As of September 4, 2025, Deans Eatman’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Deans Eatman is from Rocky Mount, North Carolina. He attended Roanoke Rapids High School and earned a bachelor's degree in agricultural science from North Carolina State University. He lives with his wife, Emma, in Wendell. He is a member of Wendell United Methodist Church.

As a town commissioner, funded new sidewalk connections to improve safety for children walking to school.

Dustin Ingalls (Wendell Town Council, North Carolina, candidate ...

Dustin Ingalls is from Ilion, New York. He attended Enloe High School and earned a bachelor's degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Dustin is the director of politics programs at the Environmental Defense Fund. 

Dustin's campaign for Wendell Town Commissioner is his first entry into politics. 

Wants to attract major employers and more dining and entertainment options.

- Wants to attract major employers and more dining and entertainment options.

Supports preserving the tree canopy and sensitive areas like floodplains, recognizing their value to the town’s beauty, air quality, and stormwater absorption.

- Supports preserving the tree canopy and sensitive areas like floodplains, recognizing their value to the town’s beauty, air quality, and stormwater absorption.

Supports the construction of more housing units to accommodate the town's growth.

Wants Wendell to be a "model town for zoning and connectivity" with diverse housing, desired amenities, and multimodal transit options.

Supports increased housing density and more multiuse developments that combine housing, retail, entertainment, dining, and green space to reduce driving and protect farmland and forests.

Supports growing the town's budget for grants to renovate historic structures.

- Supports the construction of more housing units to accommodate the town's growth.
- Wants Wendell to be a "model town for zoning and connectivity" with diverse housing, desired amenities, and multimodal transit options.
- Supports increased housing density and more multiuse developments that combine housing, retail, entertainment, dining, and green space to reduce driving and protect farmland and forests.
- Supports growing the town's budget for grants to renovate historic structures.

As of September 4, 2025, Dustin Ingalls’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Supports zoning and connectivity to ensure adequate housing, desired amenities, and multimodal transit options like sidewalks and multiuse paths.

Supports multimodal transit options like sidewalks and multiuse paths.

- Supports multimodal transit options like sidewalks and multiuse paths.

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Dustin Ingalls

Dustin Ingalls is from Ilion, New York. He attended Enloe High School and earned a bachelor of arts in political science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He lives in Wendell, North Carolina.

As of September 4, 2025, Dustin Ingalls did not have a website or any information online.

Wants to attract more major employers and dining and entertainment options.

Jorge Cordova moved to North Carolina in 1993. He lives with his wife and their four children in Wendell. He is a member of Saint Eugene’s Catholic Church.

Jorge is a business owner and construction quality control manager. He runs Novo Tile Co., a tile and flooring company. 

Jorge Cordova (Wendell Town Council, North Carolina, candidate ...

Jorge's campaign for Wendell Town Commissioner is his first entry into politics.

As of September 4, 2025, Jorge Cordova’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Supports protecting and enhancing parks, trails, and open spaces as the town grows.

Wants to invest in parks, playgrounds, and outdoor venues that encourage community events.

- Supports protecting and enhancing parks, trails, and open spaces as the town grows.
- Wants to invest in parks, playgrounds, and outdoor venues that encourage community events.

Believes in guiding Wendell’s growth with "thoughtful planning, responsible development, and a balanced approach that protects the town’s character."

- Believes in guiding Wendell’s growth with "thoughtful planning, responsible development, and a balanced approach that protects the town’s character."

Advocates for expanding police, fire, and EMS staffing to match population growth.

Supports using drones for search-and-rescue, faster response times, and safer event monitoring.

Supports investing in lighting, traffic-calming measures, and crosswalks to improve safety for pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers.

- Advocates for expanding police, fire, and EMS staffing to match population growth.
- Supports using drones for search-and-rescue, faster response times, and safer event monitoring.
- Supports investing in lighting, traffic-calming measures, and crosswalks to improve safety for pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers.

Believes developers should contribute to upgrading roads, water, sewer, and public services before large projects proceed.

Supports exploring creative parking options such as shared lots, structured parking, and better signage to direct drivers.

Supports enhancing digital connectivity by expanding public Wi-Fi initiatives.

- Believes developers should contribute to upgrading roads, water, sewer, and public services before large projects proceed.
- Supports exploring creative parking options such as shared lots, structured parking, and better signage to direct drivers.
- Supports enhancing digital connectivity by expanding public Wi-Fi initiatives.

Believes in advocating for proactive rezoning and temporary solutions to prevent school overcrowding.

- Believes in advocating for proactive rezoning and temporary solutions to prevent school overcrowding.

Jorge Cordova

Jorge Cordova is from North Carolina. He attended college in North Carolina. He lives with his wife and four children in Wendell. He is a member of Saint Eugene’s Catholic Church.

Jorge is a business owner and construction quality control manager. He runs Novo Tile Co., a tile and flooring company. He also works for a construction company, where he oversees quality control and management on job sites in the Clayton and Wendell area.

Jorge Cordova is from North Carolina. He attended college for business management and construction management. He lives with his wife and their four children in Wendell. He is a member of Saint Eugene’s Catholic Church.

Jorge is a business owner and construction quality control manager. He runs Novo Tile Co., a tile and flooring company. He also works for a construction company, overseeing quality control and management on-site in the Clayton and Wendell area.

Jorge is a flooring contractor and business owner at Novo Tile Co. He also works as a construction quality control manager.

As of September 4, 2025, Jorge Cordova did not have a website or any information online.

Buket Urgen

Kate Benson (Wendell Town Council, North Carolina, candidate ...

Kate Benson earned a bachelor’s degree from Campbell University. She lives in Wendell, North Carolina, with her husband and three children.

Kate is a brand manager in the medical aesthetics industry. 

Kate's campaign for Wendell Town Commissioner is her first entry into politics.

As of September 4, 2025, Kate Benson’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Supports investing in parks, public safety, infrastructure, and sustainable solutions.

Said, "I will push for more community input opportunities, clearer communication, and policies that prioritize Wendell families and small businesses over outside interests."

- Supports investing in parks, public safety, infrastructure, and sustainable solutions.
- Said, "I will push for more community input opportunities, clearer communication, and policies that prioritize Wendell families and small businesses over outside interests."

Advocates for development that maintains small-town charm, protects natural spaces, and ensures infrastructure keeps pace with housing.

- Advocates for development that maintains small-town charm, protects natural spaces, and ensures infrastructure keeps pace with housing.

Kate Benson

As of September 4, 2025, Kate Benson did not have a website or any information online.

Advocates for development that preserves small-town charm, protects natural spaces, and ensures infrastructure keeps up with housing.

Philip works in building automation tech for Wake County Public Schools. 

Philip Tarnaski - Ballotpedia

Former Commissioner Tarnaski seeks return to Wendell board ...

Philip previously served a four-year term on the Wendell Town Council. He ran for re-election in 2021 but did not win.

Supports raising wages for town employees.

- Supports raising wages for town employees.

Wants to preserve "Old Wendell," including the town’s walkable downtown, historical charm, and small-town character.

- Wants to preserve "Old Wendell," including the town’s walkable downtown, historical charm, and small-town character.

Believes recent developments have favored high-density housing, lacking low-density options or affordable entry-level homes.

Supports affordable housing opportunities for ownership, not just rentals.

- Believes recent developments have favored high-density housing, lacking low-density options or affordable entry-level homes.
- Supports affordable housing opportunities for ownership, not just rentals.

As of September 4, 2025, Philip Tarnaski did not have a website or any information online.

Aims to address infrastructure concerns and ensure responsible growth.

Supports improved road design, school coordination, and broader planning.

- Aims to address infrastructure concerns and ensure responsible growth.
- Supports improved road design, school coordination, and broader planning.

Philip Tarnaski

Advocated for town staff during his term, including raising wages.

Does not have a campaign website or other accessible information.

Wes Jones (Wendell Town Council, North Carolina, candidate 2025 ...

Wes Jones is from Lawrenceville, Georgia. He attended Milton High School, the University of Georgia, and Regent University School of Law. He is a Christian.

Wes serves as a legal advisor to the North Carolina House of Representatives. He previously worked as a judicial clerk for the North Carolina Court of Appeals and as an attorney in private practice focused on business and construction litigation. 

Wes's campaign for Wendell Town Commissioner is his first entry into politics.

Supports incentivizing small businesses and locally-owned restaurants.

Aims to foster self-sufficiency in the economy.

- Supports incentivizing small businesses and locally-owned restaurants.
- Aims to foster self-sufficiency in the economy.

Supports creating and maintaining neighborhood parks.

Supports safe, well-connected sidewalks and greenways.

Supports promoting youth sports and adult recreation.

- Supports creating and maintaining neighborhood parks.
- Supports safe, well-connected sidewalks and greenways.
- Supports promoting youth sports and adult recreation.

As of September 4, 2025, Wes Jones’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Supports police, fire, and emergency medical services (EMS).

- Supports police, fire, and emergency medical services (EMS).

Said, "We need roads, schools, parks, and the people doing the developing here need to have some skin in the game."

Believes in emphasizing communication and consensus-building between technical experts and everyday residents.

- Supports safe, well-connected sidewalks and greenways.
- Said, "We need roads, schools, parks, and the people doing the developing here need to have some skin in the game."
- Believes in emphasizing communication and consensus-building between technical experts and everyday residents.

Wes Jones

Wes Jones is from Lawrenceville, Georgia. He attended Milton High School, The University of Georgia, and Regent University School of Law. He lives with his family in Wendell. He is a Christian.

As of September 4, 2025, Wes Jones did not have a website or any information online.

- Town commissioners serve as the legislative body for the town government. 
- Town commissioners have the authority to decide the services offered to the town, pass the budget, decide the property tax, acquire property, and enter into agreements with other governments. 
- The town commissioners can create or abolish any offices, positions, departments, etc. to improve the organization of the town. 
- Town commissioners may make investigations into the town or any of its departments or agencies. 
- Most town commissioners in Georgia are elected in odd years to staggered 4 year terms. Elections are nonpartisan. 

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