Op-Ed: In Davidson County, the Primary Often Is the Election
Op-Ed
Democrats and Libertarians have not been represented on the County Commissioners board for more than 10 years—and with no filings recorded so far—the Republican primary is widely considered the decisive election for this office. For some voters, the concern is that the March 3, 2026, primary may determine the full makeup of the board months before the general election.
This dynamic intensifies competition within the GOP field, where ideological differences, personal networks, and stances on county priorities will likely shape the outcome.
A Board Facing High-Stakes Decisions
The incoming commissioners will be responsible for navigating several major issues with long-term implications:
• Sports Complex Proposal: A multi-million-dollar project that has sparked lively public debate over cost, economic promise, and the level of transparency in the planning process.
• Opioid Settlement Funds: Davidson County is receiving significant funding through the statewide settlement. The money has gone unused for several years. Decisions about how to spend the money—treatment, prevention, recovery programs, or law enforcement—are expected to be closely scrutinized.
• Schools: Aging buildings, capital needs, and strained budgets remain at the forefront for both Davidson County Schools, Thomasville City Schools and Lexington City Schools, making education funding a defining election issue.
• Health Department: Ongoing questions around staffing and expansion of services continue to raise concerns among residents and health advocates.
With Commissioners Chris Elliott and Matt Mizell stepping away—and four seats up for grabs—the 2026 commissioner race represents a pivotal moment for the county’s future.
As the filing period continues, some hope additional candidates may emerge. Still, for now, the spotlight is on the Republican primary, where some believe the path to the Board of Commissioners will almost certainly be decided.
