Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026
Havelock Mayor & Board of Commissioners Election 2026
2 of 5 council seats are on the ballot, with 9 candidates running. Updated Oct 5, 2026. Every claim links to its source. How we check
Not sure who to vote for? Answer 4 questions and see which candidates agree with you, and why.
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How to vote · 11 days left
In-person early voting ends (Oct 31): the election office's noticeThese links go to official state and county election sites. Hours and rules differ by state; your election office has the final word.
The candidates
Listed alphabetically by last name. Every position links to its source.
Mayor
1 seatCommissioner
Vote for up to 2- Prudencio (Ira) IrizarryCandidate for Havelock Commissioner in the November 2026 election.1sourced
- Clinton JonesCandidate for Havelock Commissioner in the November 2026 election.1sourced
- Karen LewisCandidate for Havelock Commissioner in the November 2026 election.1sourced
- Bear McGillemHavelock native, CDL-A truck driver and family caregiver running for city commissioner. He owned a Havelock home repair company and is a Craven Community College cybersecurity student.4sourced
- Diane MengerCandidate for Havelock Commissioner in the November 2026 election.1sourced
- Carly RiosCandidate for Havelock Commissioner in the November 2026 election.1sourced
- Timothy ThierryHavelock commissioner candidate whose listed profession is human resources. He lists a bachelor's degree from Excelsior University and U.S. Marine Corps service in 2003.2sourced
Voters citywide choose the mayor and, for the two open commissioner seats, vote for up to two of seven candidates. Commissioners are elected at-large and do not represent districts.
Also on your Nov 3 ballot
We research city races only. For these races, go to the state's official guide or a nonpartisan one.
- U.S. Senate
- Michael Dublin · Green
- Roy Cooper · Democratic
- Shannon W. Bray · Libertarian
- Michael Whatley · Republican
- Also statewideNC Supreme Court Associate Justice Seat 01 · NC Court of Appeals Judge Seat 01 · NC Court of Appeals Judge Seat 02 · NC Court of Appeals Judge Seat 03
- U.S. HouseDistrict 1
- NC State SenateDistrict 3
- NC House of RepresentativesDistrict 13 (70% of Havelock residents) · District 3 (30%)
- Statewide measures3 on the ballot: the state's official explanations
Districts come from 2020 Census blocks and the district maps for this election. Your address decides your districts.
Already on the council, not on the ballot
Whoever you elect will govern alongside these members.
Cynthia Evans-RobinsonCommissioner, Seat 4; term ends 20284sourced
- Danny WalshCommissioner, Seat 2; term ends 20283sourced
Officeholders' pages compare what they've said with how they've voted, with sources.
What the next council decides
01Property taxes and utility rates3 sourced facts
Where it standsThe board adopted the FY 2026-27 budget on June 22, 2026, by a 3-2 vote, with a property tax levy of 75 cents per $100 of value and higher water, sewer and solid waste fees.
What's on the tableThe next board sets the tax rate and utility fees in each future budget.
- The motion to adopt the budget ordinance, fee schedule and pay scale carried with Commissioners Walsh and Larkin opposing (3-2). City of Havelock · Jun 22, 2026
- The ordinance set the tax levy at 75 cents per $100 valuation. City of Havelock · Jun 22, 2026
- The fee schedule included a 20% increase in sewer fees, 7.5% in water fees and 7.5% in solid waste fees. City of Havelock · Jun 22, 2026
02Flock license plate and traffic cameras3 sourced facts
Where it standsThe board approved a Flock Safety camera system in March 2026, and by July five of the eight license plate reader cameras had been installed.
What's on the tableThe next board decides whether to keep, expand or remove the system and what policies govern it.
- The board authorized eight license plate reader and five pan-tilt-zoom cameras at a Year 1 cost of $36,600 from fund balance, 5-0. City of Havelock · Mar 4, 2026
- In July 2026 the police chief reported five license plate reader cameras installed, with three more and all five pan-tilt-zoom cameras still to come. City of Havelock · Jul 13, 2026
- A resident told the board on July 27, 2026, that he hoped it would not keep the cameras. City of Havelock · Jul 27, 2026
03Animal Control services3 sourced facts
Where it standsIn August 2026 the board asked staff for options on the level of animal control service and agreed to let up to five prior volunteers return while a volunteer policy is written.
What's on the tableThe next board sets the service level, staffing and volunteer policy for the city's animal control facility.
- Havelock is the only municipality in Craven County that operates an animal shelter, accepts intakes and provides adoptions. City of Havelock · Aug 10, 2026
- The city employs one full-time Animal Control Officer and two to three part-time employees. City of Havelock · Aug 10, 2026
- The board directed staff to develop a formal volunteer program policy. City of Havelock · Aug 10, 2026
04Harrier aircraft display2 sourced facts
Where it standsOn August 10, 2026, the board voted 3-2, with the mayor breaking a tie, to accept the AV-8B final-flight Harrier with a full repaint and give up the A-6E Intruder, then funded the repaint 4-0.
What's on the tableThe next board oversees the restoration and display project and its costs.
- The full repaint option cost $205,706. City of Havelock · Aug 10, 2026
- In February 2026 the board voted 4-1 to accept the TAV-8B Harrier for static display with a $211,821 refurbishment. City of Havelock · Feb 9, 2026
05City manager search3 sourced facts
Where it standsThe City Manager application deadline was July 20, 2026, and an interim city manager was listed at the August 10, 2026 workshop.
What's on the tableThe board elected in November works with the next city manager hired.
- The deadline for submitting applications for City Manager was Monday, July 20, 2026. City of Havelock · Jul 27, 2026
- The board voted 4-1 on July 27, 2026, to accept a late application and waive the college degree requirement in favor of relevant life experience. City of Havelock · Jul 27, 2026
- Interim City Manager Cindy Morgan was listed among staff present at the August 10, 2026 workshop. City of Havelock · Aug 10, 2026
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Who matches you?
Answer any of these questions. We compare your answers with each person's sourced record, and nothing is stored. Questions where no one has a sourced record yet are left out. Tap a selected answer again to skip it.
1. How should Havelock handle property taxes and utility fees in the next budget?
2. What should Havelock do with its Flock camera system?
3. Who should provide animal control and sheltering in Havelock?
4. Should the city waive the college degree requirement for City Manager applicants?
Key dates
The seat math
2 stay (not up this year): Cynthia Evans-Robinson, Danny Walsh2 on this ballot
5 council seats plus a mayor who doesn't vote on council items. The council decides by a 3-vote majority.
- Havelock operates under the Council-Manager form of government, with the commissioners serving as a board of directors that sets policy and direction. City of Havelock
- The Board of Commissioners has five members elected to four-year staggered terms, and municipal elections are nonpartisan and at-large. City of Havelock
- The mayor presides at meetings and does not vote unless there is a tie. City of Havelock
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