Dozens of hopeful candidates for Cumberland County Commission seats and other county political offices have already picked up qualifying papers for the 2026 Cumberland County primary.
The first day to pick up qualifying papers was Dec. 22, 2025. The county primary is May 5, 2026.
Of those who have picked up paperwork, Circuit Court Clerk Jessica R. Burgess is the only candidate who has returned and filed her paperwork with the Cumberland County Election Commission as of Dec. 30. Burgess is seeking re-election to her office.
Earlier this year, both the Republican and Democratic parties requested a primary for Cumberland County Commission seats.
Previously, Cumberland County seats on the county commission were elected on a non-partisan basis.
Jill Davis, Cumberland County administrator of elections said the following candidates have picked up qualifying papers as of Dec. 30. Incumbents are denoted with an asterisk:
County mayor
*Allen Foster, Republican
County trustee
Andrea J. Ritzman, Republican
*Kim Tollett Wyatt, Republican
Sheriff
*Casey D. Cox, Republican
Circuit Court Clerk
*Jessica R. Burgess, Republican
County Clerk
*Jule Bryson, Republican
Road Superintendent
*Stanley Hall, Republican
Kevin D. Music, Republican
County Commission
2 per district
1st District
*Wiley Potter, Republican
*Sue Ann York, Republican
2nd District
*Tom Isham, Republican
*Nancy Hyder, Independent
3rd District
Craig Clark, Republican
Wendell Houston, Republican
*Mary Bradley Shanks, Republican
4th District
Gary L. Adams, Republican
*David H. Gibson, Republican
Jonathan Miller, Republican
5th District
*Jack Davis, Republican
*Terry Lowe, Republican
6th District
*Joseph Leland Sherrill, Republican
John Womack, Republican
8th District
*Greg D. Maxwell, Republican
9th District
*Colleen K. Mall, Republican
John Wedgworth, Republican
BOARD OF EDUCATION
1 per district
3rd District
Michael R. Dibiccaro, Republican
7th District
Blair Woodcock, Republican
Register of Deeds, County Commission seats in District 7 and Board of Education seats in Districts 1, 5 and 9 will also be on the ballot.
The last day to file qualifying papers for county primary is Feb. 19. The county primary is scheduled for May 5.
The Cumberland County General Election and state and federal primaries will be Thursday, Aug. 6.