Denise Martin Wright

Denise Martin Wright ran for Cleveland County commissioner in 2024 but did not win.

Filing deadline looms for candidates; county commissioner race ...

Primary results for Cleveland County.

As of January 2, 2026, Denise Martin Wright’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Buket Urgen

Candidate website

Denise Martin Wright grew up in Cleveland County on her family's farm, Martin Charolais. Denise earned a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte following graduation from Burns High School. Denise lives in Cleveland County with her husband, Jeff, and they have two children.

Denise had a 21-year career in the private sector as an Information Technology (IT) executive for an international property and casualty insurance company. Denise is also a small business owner in Cleveland County and serves as a board member for the Gardner-Webb University Godbold College of Business.

Denise Martin Wright ran for Cleveland County commissioner in 2024 but did not win. Denise previously served on the Cleveland County Planning and Zoning Board, the Board of Adjustments, and the Department of Social Services Board.

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Billy Scruggs

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

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

Deb Hardin

Deb is the vice chairwoman of the Cleveland County Board of Health. She is also involved with the Cleveland County Animal Rescue Effort (CARE) and is working to open a shelter for the organization.

Deb is currently a Cleveland County Commissioner. She was elected in 2022 and is serving her first term. 

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

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Meet the candidates

Photos reveal needles on floor inside local animal shelter - WSOC TV

Deb Hardin is the vice chairwoman of the Cleveland County Board of Health. She is also involved with the Cleveland County Animal Rescue Effort (CARE).

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

Cleveland County animal shelter under fire for operating without a ...

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

Plans to address concerns regarding cleanliness and safety within local animal shelters.

- Plans to address concerns regarding cleanliness and safety within local animal shelters.

Doug Bridges

Doug Bridges is from Shelby, North Carolina. He has a high school diploma from Shelby High School. He and his wife, Lynn, have a son.

Bridges has experience in customer service.

Doug is currently a Cleveland County Commissioner. He was appointed to the position in 2017 and was subsequently elected in 2018. He was re-elected in 2022.

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

Doug Bridges | BallotReady

Kings Mountain Herald

Willie Green files write-in petition

Doug Bridges is from Shelby, North Carolina. He has a high school diploma from Shelby High School. He and his wife have a son.

Advocates for fostering a pro-business environment to attract industrial investment and create local jobs.

- As a county commissioner, cut taxes.
- Advocates for fostering a pro-business environment to attract industrial investment and create local jobs.

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

Prioritizes funding and resources for law enforcement and first responders.

- Prioritizes funding and resources for law enforcement and first responders.

Josh Biddix is a veteran of the Marine Corps. He and his wife, Scotti, have a hemp store and farm together.

Family to bring hemp store, farm to Cleveland County

Military vets push for medical marijuana

Josh Biddix is from Morganton. He attended Robert L. Patton High School. Josh lives with his wife, Scotti, in Morganton.

Josh previously served as a law enforcement officer. He also served in the U.S. Marine Corps.

Veterans frustrated over medical marijuana stalling

North Carolina Senate Committee Holds Hearing on Medical Marijuana

Josh is the co-owner of Broad River Hemp Company. He previously served as a law enforcement officer for the Gastonia Police Department and Asheville Police Department. He also served in the U.S. Marine Corps for two years.

Josh Biddix is currently a Cleveland County Commissioner.

Josh's campaign for Cleveland County commissioner is his first run for public office.

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

Supports medical marijuana, advocating for its benefits as a military veteran.

Supports medical marijuana legalization, advocating for its benefits for military veterans dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder.

- Supports medical marijuana legalization, advocating for its benefits for military veterans dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder.

Josh Biddix

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

Laura Boggs Tharrington

As of January 2, 2026, Laura Boggs Tharrington’s website did not contain information on this issue.

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Laura is a Teacher at Cleveland County Schools

As of January 2, 2026, Laura Boggs Tharrington did not have a website or any information online.

Wayne King

Wayne King is from Kings Mountain, North Carolina. He has a son, Noah.

Wayne is the co-founder of Compliance Professionals. He previously served as Deputy Chief of Staff and District Director for Congressman Mark Meadows.

Wayne previously served as Deputy Chief of Staff and District Director for U.S. Representative Mark Meadows.

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

Wayne King touts experience with Meadows in run for Congress

Wayne King iVoterGuide Profile - iVoterGuide

Wayne King is from Kings Mountain, North Carolina. He has a fiancee, a child, and is involved with his church.

Supports fiscal responsibility and believes in balancing a budget based on real-world experience.

Opposes new taxes and acknowledges the financial burden on families due to inflation.

Believes strong communities start with strong families, strong faith, and responsible stewardship, not higher taxes.

Concerned that property tax increases could hinder economic development, suggesting that big businesses should help relieve the tax burden on local residents.

Advocates for cutting the budget and curbing spending.

- Believes strong communities start with strong families, strong faith, and responsible stewardship, not higher taxes.
- Concerned that property tax increases could hinder economic development, suggesting that big businesses should help relieve the tax burden on local residents.
- Advocates for cutting the budget and curbing spending.

Opposes any additional restrictions on gun ownership.

- Opposes any additional restrictions on gun ownership.

- 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.