Tuesday, October 27, 2026

Election 2026 Q&A: New Hanover County Soil and Water District

The Northeast Wastewater Treatment Plant, which discharges treated wastewater into the Cape Fear River visible from the I-140 Bypass, is consistently operating critically near its state-permitted capacity. (Port City Daily photo/Johanna Ferebee)
The New Hanover County Soil and Water District has four candidates on the ballot for the midterm elections, Nov. 3. (Port City Daily/File)

SOUTHEASTERN N.C. — Midterm elections take place this year with multiple opportunities for voters to cast a ballot: Requests for an absentee ballot are open now through Oct. 20, with early in-person voting opening the last two weeks in October, and Election Day taking place the first Tuesday of November.

But ahead of going to the polls, it’s important to understand where candidates stand on issues facing the region. 

Multiple folks are running for the New Hanover County Soil and Water District, with three people on the board of supervisors elected as non-partisan members and two appointed by the N.C. Soil and Water Conservation Commission. Though not a regulatory board, the district supervisors are dedicated to protecting and enhancing soil and water resources in the county, with voluntary programs and educational initiatives. 

The media consortium of WECT-TV, Port City Daily, WHQR Public Media and The Seahawk, UNCW’s campus news source, sent questionnaires to the candidates and responses to their Q&A’s have only been edited for clarity.

Before reading, here are a few items to keep in mind ahead of the election: 

  • A valid ID is required to cast a ballot in North Carolina. If you do not have an ID you will have fill out a photo ID exemption form. 
  • Early voting opens Oct. 15 to Oct. 31, and allows voters to register at any location in their county and vote in one stop
  • Election Day is Nov. 3, 2026, with voters required to go to their assigned precinct locations to cast a ballot 
  • Anyone who wants to see if they’re registered to vote can do so here 
  • Check your sample ballot ahead of going to the polls here

Click the names below to access the Q&As for the New Hanover County Soil and Water District:

Cate Calson
de André Corniffe
Kelly McConnell
Frank Meares


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Shea Carver
Shea Carver
Shea Carver is the editor in chief at Port City Daily. A UNCW alumna, Shea worked in the print media business in Wilmington for 22 years before joining the PCD team in October 2020. She specializes in arts coverage — music, film, literature, theatre — the dining scene, and can often be tapped on where to go, what to do and who to see in Wilmington. When she isn’t hanging with her pup, Shadow Wolf, tending the garden or spinning vinyl, she’s attending concerts and live theater.

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