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

Steve Tyson is a proud native of Craven County, and except for his time on active duty in the Army, he has lived here his entire life.

Steve currently serves as the N.C. Representative for District 3 and is the Deputy Majority Leader.

Steve serves as Chairman of the Appropriations, Transportation Committee and the Transportation Committee, Vice Chairman of the Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) Committee and the Appropriations Committee, and he serves as Member of the Energy and Public Utilities Committee, Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House, and the House Select Committee on Helene Recovery.

Steve was elected and served 12 years as a Craven County Commissioner with two terms as Chairman. During his tenure, the County built a new jail, Creekside Elementary School, a new water treatment plant, and converted the old jail into a modern Emergency Center. Despite these much-needed capital expenditures (over $100 million), when he left office, Craven County had the 17^th lowest property tax rate among the 100 Counties in N.C.

Steve is a proud veteran, the father of a veteran, and the son of a WWII POW. He understands the importance of our military , and the challenges of our military families. He will be a strong advocate for our active duty service men and women, our Veterans, Cherry Point Marine Air Station as well as the Fleet Readiness Center.

Steve has been a licensed General Contractor, a licensed Real Estate Broker, and a small business owner for over 35 years. He understands the challenges of not only our active small business community but also our larger industries. While on the County Board of Commission he helped oversee the complete restructure of the Craven County Economic Development Department.

Steve has been active in the community for a long time and is a past Board member of the following organizations:

Military Order of the Purple Heart Wounded Warrior Leave Program

C-100 Economic Development Committee

Travel and Tourism Development Authority

Coastal Regional Solid Waste Authority

Metropolitan Planning Organization

Swiss Bear Downtown Development Board

Tryon Palace Commission

New Bern Public Library

Eastern Region Council of Government

Kellenberger Foundation

HWY 70 Commission

Criminal Justice Advisory Board

Craven County Smart Start

Eastern NC Workforce Development Board

Craven County Homebuilders Association

Uptown Business Professionals

New Bern Chamber of Commerce Military Affairs Committee

Steve is married to Jana Tyson and lives in the greater New Bern area. When he is not working, he enjoys playing golf, researching the area’s history, and traveling.

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

Chip Hughes has served as the Sheriff of Craven County, North Carolina since 2018. His promise of serving the community he lives in with enthusiasm, integrity, professionalism, and transparency continues to drive him every single day.

Chip Hughes started his public service career with the United States Air Force. He then joined the North Carolina State Highway Patrol where he became a Sergeant and served for 14 years. His work in law enforcement continued as an executive for a public safety technology company. With over 36 years experience in law enforcement, Sheriff Chip Hughes has every intention of continuing to serve this wonderful county with the skills and wisdom he has acquired over the years.

Chip Hughes has served the state of North Carolina and Craven County in many ways. A few of the ways he has served have been as Chairman of the Governor’s Crime Commission. He is currently the Chairman of the North Carolina Sheriff’s Association Legislative Committee as well as the North Carolina Sheriff’s Association Representative on the State DWI Task Force. He is a member of the North Carolina Sheriff’s Association, the National Sheriff’s Association, and the Constitutional Sheriff’s Association.

Boards, Commissions, Memberships, & Associations:

• United States Air Force, 3 years 9 months

• NC State Highway Patrol, 14 years

• Board of Trustees, Craven County Community College (current)

• Chairman, Gov. Pat McRory’s Task Force on Safer Schools (2013-2017)

• Gov. Pat McRory’s Crime Commission (2013-2017)

• Twin Rivers YMCA Board of Directors (2012-2016)

• Board of Directors, Craven Community College Foundation (2011-2017)

• Vice Chairman, Craven County ABC Board of Directors (2013-2013)

• Board Member, Highway 17 Association (2009-2013)

• Commissioner, Town of Trent Woods (2009-2013)

• Board of Directors, Coastal Carolina Regional Airport Authority (2010-2012)

• Elected Sheriff in 2018

• Member, National Sheriff’s Association

• Member, Constitutional Sheriff’s Association

• Member, North Carolina Sheriff’s Association

• Member, National Criminal Interdiction Association

• Member, North Carolina Sheriff’s Association Education & Training Standards Commission

• Chairman, North Carolina Sheriff’s Association Legislative Committee

• Representative, North Carolina Sheriff’s Association State DWI Task Force

• Sheriff’s Fellow, Claremont Institute

• Over 36 years of law enforcement experience

Matt Wareham - Incumbent

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

Craven County Board of Commissioners