Catawba County Commissioner Candidates Discuss Top Issues Ahead of 2026 Primary

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Ahead of the March 3, 2026 primary election in North Carolina, WBTV reached out to the seven candidates running for Catawba County Board of Commissioners to get their responses on key issues facing the county. Early in-person voting is scheduled from February 12 to February 28, and the winner of the primary will go on to represent their party in the November 2026 midterm elections.

Why it matters

The Catawba County Board of Commissioners race is one of the most closely watched local elections in the state, as the county grapples with challenges around economic development, infrastructure, and public services. The primary will determine which candidates from each party will advance to the general election, where control of the county government could shift.

The details

Seven candidates are vying for seats on the Catawba County Board of Commissioners in the 2026 primary election: Nicholas F. Bellomo Jr., Jay Moore, Cole Terrell Setzer, and four others who responded to WBTV's questionnaire. The winner of the primary will go on to represent their party in the November general election, where they will compete for one of the available commissioner seats.

• Early in-person voting for the 2026 North Carolina primary election is scheduled for February 12 to February 28.
• Primary Election Day is set for Tuesday, March 3, 2026.

What they’re saying

What’s next

The Catawba County Board of Commissioners primary election will be held on March 3, 2026. The winners will then advance to the November general election, where they will compete for the available commissioner seats.