Candi-Dating 2026

On the morning of February 7, 2026, Holy Trinity Church in Siler City was the site of a speed dating event for voters and candidates who will be on our Democratic ballots in the upcoming primary election.

Called Candi-Dating, the event allowed each candidate to rotate between tables of voters who could hear the candidate’s presentations and then ask questions and make comments. Then a bell would ring and the candidates would move to the next table of voters. This process repeated until every table of voters had an opportunity to hear from all of the candidates who were present.

Candidates present were as follows.

US Congressional District 4

Congresswoman Valerie P. Foushee (Incumbent)

Commissioner (Durham County) Nida Allam

US Congressional District 9

Nigel W. Bristow

Lauren Bibler

Richard N. Ojeda, Jr.

Chatham County Board of Commissioners District 3

Michael R. (Mike) Roberson

Kate O’Brien

Chatham County Board of Commissioners District 5

Franklin Gomez Flores (Incumbent)

Lynn Gaines

Some of the candidates who do not have primary opponents and will therefore not be on the primary ballot also participated. They will appear on the ballot in the general election in November.

Judicial

NC Court of Appeals Seat 2

Tobias (Toby) Hampson (Incumbent)

NC District Court Judge, District 18

C. Todd Roper (Incumbent)

District Attorney, District 18

Jeff Nieman (Incumbent)

Chatham County Sheriff

Steve Maynor

Chatham County Board of Education, District 3

Sarah D’Amato