Meet the candidates vying for a spot on the Brunswick County ballot in November
EDITOR'S NOTE: Since this story was published, David M. Robinson, the incumbent candidate for the Brunswick County Board of Education District 2 seat has passed away.
Ahead of the general election this November, voters in Brunswick County must first determine which Republican candidates will secure their spot on the ballot.
The primary election is set for March 5, with early voting beginning Feb. 15.
Here’s who is on the primary election ballot in Brunswick County.
Brunswick County Board of Commissioners, District 3
Incumbent Pat Sykes is seeking her fourth, and purportedly final, term on the Brunswick County Board of Commissioners. Sykes is a Brunswick County native who graduated from then-Southport High School before 32 years of working in various federal and local government agencies.
Sykes describes herself as a lifelong conservative Republican and says she is “committed to responding to today’s challenges with practical, common-sense leadership; innovative practices; and fiscal responsibility.”
Jwantana Gardner Frink is hoping to snag Sykes’ spot on the ballot and board. Frink describes herself as a “conservative small business owner with deep Brunswick County roots.”
The South Brunswick High School and Brunswick Community College graduate lives in Southport and is a former member of the Southport Board of Aldermen. Frink is an elected member of the Dosher Hospital Board of Trustees. Frink proclaims her goals as a commissioner would be to spend taxpayer dollars wisely, keep taxes low, invest in infrastructure and focus on growing the county’s economy.
Brunswick County Board of Commissioners, District 5
Incumbent Frank Williams is seeking re-election to his seat on the Brunswick County Board of Commissioners. Williams was first elected to the board in 2012. He served as the board’s chair for four years and represents the board on several other committees and boards in the region.
Williams is a small business owner who lives in Leland. A few of his priorities include maintaining a low tax rate, investing in public safety, expanding water and sewer infrastructure, and enhancing the county’s economic development.
Erik Tammaru, a Brunswick County transplant, is also running for the District 5 seat. According to his campaign website, Tammaru grew up in the nation’s capital and worked in law enforcement in Maryland before becoming a pastor.
Tammaru serves as the chair of the North Brunswick Republican Club and says his motivation for running for the board is “to secure and preserve our freedoms and prosperity for our children and grandchildren.” If elected, Tammaru would advocate for lower taxes, balanced growth, constitutional rights, and against clearcutting and wetland destruction.
Brunswick County Board of Education, District 1
Incumbent Ed Lemon is not seeking re-election to his District 1 seat on the Brunswick County Board of Education. Two newcomers are hopeful to fill his vacancy.
Lavar Marlow is a Brunswick County native, award specialist at the University of North Carolina Wilmington and pastor at Pleasant View Missionary Baptist Church in Sunset Beach. He lives in Carolina Shores.
According to his campaign website, Marlow’s priorities include supporting parents’ involvement in their children's education, supporting career and technical education, connecting students with internship and externship opportunities, keeping facilities updated and keeping schools safe.
Vickie Smith hopes to bring her more than 30 years of education experience to the board of education. Smith retired as the principal of Union Elementary School in 2022. She lives in Calabash.
Brunswick County Board of Education, District 2
Three candidates are vying for the District 2 seat on the Brunswick County Board of Education.
Rick Hessman is a former principal of Belville Elementary School and currently serves on the Brunswick Community College Board of Trustees. He lives in Supply.
Hessman’s campaign slogan, “School Experience Matters,” nods at his 30-year career in public education in North Carolina. The North Carolina native served as a teacher, coach, assistant principal and principal during that time.
Incumbent school board member David Robinson is seeking re-election to his seat on the board. Robinson is a local business owner with 35 years of public service experience who attended Brunswick County Schools. He lives in Supply and proclaims he’s a “common-sense conservative.”
Catherine Cooke is a former member of the board of education looking to make her return. Cooke served on the board from 2008 to 2020. She lives in Shallotte and is a property manager for a homeowners association.
Brunswick County Board of Education, District 4
The incumbent board member is facing a former board member for the District 4 seat.
Shirley Babson served on the Brunswick County Board of Education for a total of 24 years before she was unseated in the 2016 primary election. Now, she wants the job back.
During her more than two decades on the board, Babson held the chair and vice-chair titles on numerous occasions. She lives in Bolivia.
Steven Barger currently holds the District 4 seat on the board, and he is seeking re-election. Barger is a local firefighter and police officer. He previously served as mayor pro tempore on the City of Boiling Spring Lakes Board of Commissioners. He was elected to the board of education in 2020 and currently serves as chair. He lives in Boiling Spring Lakes.
Brunswick County Register of Deeds
Deanna Slate has a wide variety of career experience in fields like information technology, healthcare, construction and insurance. She hopes that experience will make her the best candidate for the county’s register of deeds position.
Slate hopes to bring her “strong commitment to family values, fiscal responsibility, and community service” to the role. She lives in Bolivia.
Dana Varnam is also running for the position. She currently serves as the assistant register of deeds for the county. She lives in Supply.
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Early voting in Brunswick County takes place at five locations: the Cooperative Extension at the Government center (25 Referendum Dr. in Bolivia), Leland Cultural Arts Center (1212 Magnolia Village Way), Brunswick Center at Southport (1513 N. Howe St.), Brunswick Center at Shallotte (3620 Express Dr.) and Sunset Beach Community Center (200 Station Trail).
Jamey Cross covers Brunswick County for the StarNews. Reach her at jbcross@gannett.com or message her on Twitter/X @jameybcross.
This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Candidates in the Brunswick County, NC, Republican primary for 2024
