Marla G. Thompson

2026 Elections - Candidate Committees

Beyond Mecklenburg, these candidates won their local-level ...

Marla previously ran for an at-large seat on the Catawba County Commission in 2022 but did not win.

As of January 2, 2026, Marla G. Thompson’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Buket Urgen

Marla Thompson - Mayor of Long View

Marla G. Thompson attended Catawba Valley Community College. She lives with her husband, Kyle, and her two kids in Long View.

Linkedin

Marla is the owner and designer at the WoodShak, a woodworking business.

11/04/2025 official municipal election results - catawba

Marla previously served as the mayor of Long View. She served two terms from 2017-2025.

Supported economic development growth for small businesses through investment, grants, and partnerships with regional organizations.

- Supported economic development growth for small businesses through investment, grants, and partnerships with regional organizations.

Economy

Supported continued growth of programs and services for youth, seniors, and veterans.

Supported investment in road repairs, parks, and technology upgrades.

- Supported continued growth of programs and services for youth, seniors, and veterans.
- Supported investment in road repairs, parks, and technology upgrades.

Public Services

As of January 2, 2026, Marla G. Thompson did not have a website or any information online.

Housing & Urban Development

Supported ensuring community policing partnerships.

Planned to provide police and fire departments "with the resources they need".

Supported building community engagement programs for youth mentorship.

- Supported ensuring community policing partnerships.
- Planned to provide police and fire departments "with the resources they need".
- Supported building community engagement programs for youth mentorship.

Public Safety

Transportation & Infrastructure

Energy & the Environment

Facebook

LinkedIn

Cole Setzer earned his bachelor's degree in criminal justice and police science and master's degree in public administration from Appalachian State University and his master's degree in accounting from Syracuse University. He lives with his wife, Molly, and three children.

Cole currently works as the owner of Setzer Financial. He previously worked as a senior accountant with Whitley Hyder & Simon CPA. Cole served in the U.S. Army.

Cole Setzer (Catawba County Board of Commissioners, North Carolina, candidate 2022)

Cole currently serves on the Catawba County Board of Commissioners. He was first elected in 2022 and is serving his first term.

As of January 2, 2026, Cole Terrell Setzer did not have a website or any information online.

Cole Terrell Setzer

Cole previously ran for Catawba County commissioner in 2022.

As of January 2, 2026, Cole Terrell Setzer’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Cole Terrell Setzer has a wife and three kids.

Cole was elected Catawba County commissioner in 2022.

Believes in the need to "keep our budget responsible"

- Believes in the need to "keep our budget responsible"
- Wants to grow "good-paying jobs."

Dave Fontana

As of January 2, 2026, Dave Fontana’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Instagram

Dave Fontana is a resident of Catawba County

Dave has a background in business management and logistics. Dave has experience in the private sector focusing on operational efficiency and budget oversight.

Dave is a conservative seeking to represent the citizens of Catawba County by promoting transparency in local government. Dave’s platform focuses on limited government and ensuring that the board remains responsive to the concerns of the taxpayers.

As of January 2, 2026, Dave Fontana did not have a website or any information online.

Prioritizes funding for the Catawba County Sheriff’s Office and local emergency services to ensure the safety of all residents.

- Prioritizes funding for the Catawba County Sheriff’s Office and local emergency services to ensure the safety of all residents.

Eric Dunn

Eric Dunn's campaign for Catawba County Commissioner in the Republican Primary is his first time running for public office.

As of January 2, 2026, Eric Dunn’s website did not contain information on this issue.

As of January 2, 2026, Eric Dunn did not have a website or any information online.

Jay Moore

Jay Moore is from Iredell County, North Carolina. He has an associate's degree in business management and an associate's degree in industrial management from Catawba Valley Community College. He and his wife, Amy, have a son. He attends Tri-City Baptist Church in Conover, North Carolina.

Jay Moore is from Iredell County, North Carolina. He has an associate's degree in business management and an associate's degree in industrial management from Catawba Valley Community College. He and his wife have one child. He attends Tri-City Baptist Church in Conover, North Carolina.

Since August 31, 2015, I have operated Unifour Life & Retirement in Hickory as a Life & Retirement Specialist.

Jay previously ran for Catawba County Commissioner but did not win.

As of January 2, 2026, Jay Moore’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Supports investing in schools to "provide quality education, modern facilities, and opportunities for all students while empowering teachers."

- Supports investing in schools to "provide quality education, modern facilities, and opportunities for all students while empowering teachers."

Believes in prioritizing sustainable development and maintenance of roads, utilities, and broadband access to "enhance connectivity, boost economic growth, and improve quality of life for residents."

- Believes in prioritizing sustainable development and maintenance of roads, utilities, and broadband access to "enhance connectivity, boost economic growth, and improve quality of life for residents."

Nicholas F. Bellomo, Jr.

Nicholas F. Bellomo Jr. ran for Catawba County Commissioner in 2026.

As of January 2, 2026, Nicholas F. Bellomo, Jr.’s website did not contain information on this issue.

As of January 2, 2026, Nicholas F. Bellomo, Jr. did not have a website or any information online.

Sherry Edmonds Butler

As of January 2, 2026, Sherry Edmonds Butler’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Change-Maker for Catawba County: Meet CVCC Alum Sherry Butler

Sherry earned an associate's degree in electromechanical technology from Catawba Valley Community College. She lives with her husband in Newton.

Sherry was previously the executive director of The Green Room Community Theatre.

11/04/2014 OFFICIAL GENERAL ELECTION RESULTS - CATAWBA

Sherry previously served as a Catawba County commissioner. She served two terms from 2014-2022.

As of January 2, 2026, Sherry Edmonds Butler did not have a website or any information online.

- County Commissioners create and pass laws at the county-level. These laws show up in very tangible ways, such as determining how much you pay property and sales tax rates, public transportation, and maintaining infrastructure.
- County Commissioners are responsible for preparing and passing the county budget. The budget determines how much funding goes to various public services, such as public transportation, law enforcement, repairing roads, and maintaining infrastructure.
- County Commissioners oversee the administrative duties of your county’s government to ensure the safety, comfort, and well-being of county residents.
- County Commissioners can create, change, or abolish offices, positions, departments that are not required by law. 
- County Commissioners are elected to 4-year terms, with no term limits. Typically, you only vote for the County Commissioner that represents your county commission district.