2026 Election

2026 Republican Candidates

The 2026 election will be an important moment for our county, our state, and our nation. Republicans across Craven County will have the opportunity to vote for a strong slate of candidates committed to defending constitutional principles, promoting responsible government, and strengthening our local communities.

Below you will find the Republican candidates who will appear on the ballot for voters in Craven County in the November 2026 General Election. These candidates are seeking offices at the local, state, and federal levels and represent a wide range of experience in public service, business, law enforcement, and community leadership.

Over the coming months, this page will be updated with additional information about each candidate, including brief biographies, priorities, and links to their campaigns. Our goal is to help voters become familiar with the individuals whom we are asking you to support in November! We will also include Republicans running for municipal offices in Craven County once they file in July.

We encourage you to stay engaged, learn about the candidates, and most importantly, make a plan to vote Republican in November.

Federal Offices

Michael Whatley

Candidate for United States Senate
Brief biography and campaign priorities will be added soon.

Laurie Buckhout

Candidate for United States House of Representatives
Brief biography and campaign priorities will be added soon.

North Carolina General Assembly

Bob Brinson - Incumbent

Candidate for North Carolina Senate - District 3
Brief biography and campaign priorities will be added soon.

Representative Celeste Cairns - Incumbent

North Carolina General Assembly

District 13 (Carteret and Craven Counties)

Celeste lives in Emerald Isle, NC with her husband, Rob. She graduated from the University of Georgia with honors, earning a degree in business administration. Celeste began her career as a CPA with Deloitte, a multinational consulting and accounting firm, and then worked in the audit and consulting departments of Willis Corroon Corporation and HCA Healthcare Corporation. After many successful years in the private sector, Celeste and her family moved where the U.S. Army sent them. Celeste’s husband, coming from a family with a long history of military service, graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point and spent the majority of his 20+ years of service as a U.S. Army Special Forces Officer (Green Beret). Rob now works for the U.S. Marine Corps at Camp Lejeune. Both of their children, Nathaniel and Kathryn, are graduates of East Carolina University. Nathaniel earned a degree in GIS and has chosen a career in law enforcement. Kathryn (Katye) earned a degree in Exercise Physiology from ECU and a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from Hardin-Simmons University. She accepted a commission into the US Army to serve our nation’s wounded warriors. Katye and her husband, Jake, gave Celeste and Rob their first grandchild in February 2025. Celeste is currently serving in her second term as the Representative for District 13 (Carteret and Craven counties) in the North Carolina House of Representatives. She is a Deputy Majority Whip. She is Chair of the Alcohol Beverage Control Committee, Vice-Chair of Appropriations (AgNER) Committee, Vice-Chair of the Commerce and Economic Development Committee, and a Member of the Energy and Public Utilities Committee, the Homeland Security, Military and Veteran Affairs Committee, and the House Select Committee on Blockchain and Digital Assets.

Steve Tyson - Incumbent

Candidate for the North Carolina House of Representatives - District 3
Brief biography and campaign priorities will be added soon.

Judicial Offices

George Bell

Candidate for North Carolina Court of Appeals
Brief biography and campaign priorities will be added soon.

Michael Byrne

Candidate for North Carolina Court of Appeals
Brief biography and campaign priorities will be added soon.

Craig Collins

Candidate for North Carolina Court of Appeals
Brief biography and campaign priorities will be added soon.

Sarah Stevens

Candidate for North Carolina Supreme Court
Brief biography and campaign priorities will be added soon.

Craven County Offices

Lexanne Huffman - Incumbent

Candidate for Clerk of Superior Court
Brief biography and campaign priorities will be added soon.

Sheriff Chip Hughes - Incumbent

Candidate for Craven County Sheriff
Brief biography and campaign priorities will be added soon.

Matt Wareham - Incumbent

Candidate for District Attorney
Brief biography and campaign priorities will be added soon.

Craven County Board of Commissioners