There are five candidates vying for two open seats on the New Hanover County Board of Commissioners.
Incumbents LeAnn Pierce and Rob Zapple are facing off against challengers Bob Drach, Richard Collier and LeShonda Wallace. Commissioners serve four-year terms and earn a salary of $40,547 annually.
In-person early voting begins on Thursday, Oct. 15 and continues through 3 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 31. Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3, and polls are open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Here are the candidates’ responses and their thoughts on current issues.
Candidate responses have been edited for style, grammar and length.
Richard Collier
Age: 60
Occupation: Civil engineer
Education: AAS Architecture; NC State Civil Engineering
Political experience: Nearly two decades on local
planning boards, including the New Hanover County Planning Board and the Wilmington Planning Commission. Candidate for Wilmington City Council, 2025.
Political affiliation: Republican
Bob Drach
Age: 65
Occupation: Accountant
Education: BS Physics, William and Mary; MBA and Certificate in Public Management, Stanford University
Political experience: New Hanover County Board of Equalization and review, 2011 - 2014; Candidate, NC State Auditor, 2024
Political affiliation: Libertarian
LeAnn Pierce
Age: 58
Occupation: Retired hotel owner
Education: Bachelor of Science in Biology from East Carolina University, Certified in Business and Technical Communications from ECU
Political experience: Chair New Hanover County Board of Commissioners, New Hanover County Commissioner, Mayor Carolina Beach, Carolina Beach Town Council
Political affiliation: Republican
LeShonda Wallace
Age: Did not answer
Occupation: Advanced practice nurse
Education: PhD in Public Health, MSN, and BSN
Political experience: For several years, the commissioners appointed me to the New Hanover County Public Health Board. When Public Health merged with Social Services, I served on the Consolidated Health and Human Services Board and later chaired it.
Political affiliation: Democrat
Rob Zapple
Age: 74
Occupation: General Contractor; residential and commercial builder; owner, Rob Zapple Design & Build, Inc.; New Hanover County Commissioner.
Education: B.A., University of Virginia
Political experience: New Hanover County Commissioner, elected 2014 and re-elected in 2018 and 2022; service on numerous local, state and national boards and committees representing New Hanover County.
Political affiliation: Democrat
What are the top issues facing the county?
Collier: Growth that has outrun our infrastructure. Residents feel it every day in traffic, in roads that lag behind development, in streets that flood after a rain, and in crowded schools. Close behind is the cost of living: taxes that already feel too high, and longtime families being priced out of the county they built. The county also has to keep its budget honest, with recurring costs carried by recurring revenue instead of one-time money. And we have to protect what makes this place worth living in: our beaches, waterways, green spaces, and public safety services that keep pace with growth.
Drach: Pay down debt. Debt service is now about 12% of the county budget. Learn from past mistakes. The Board needs fresh oversight and independent thinking. Protect reserves. The General Fund reserve should not fall below 17%. Promote civic involvement. Support the efforts of community, faith, and service-based institutions. Care for the most vulnerable while promoting self-reliance. Plan carefully. Increase property values and quality of life, not sprawl and stress. Keep taxes low. Promote affordability and honor the result of the 2022 sales-tax referendum. Student centered funding. Continue to prioritize education.
Pierce: Affordability is my top priority. Families are facing rising costs for housing, insurance, groceries, and everyday necessities. County government must do its part by keeping taxes low, controlling spending, and delivering value for taxpayers. We must manage growth responsibly by planning for schools, roads, public safety, housing, and infrastructure. At the same time, we must preserve green space and protect our beaches, waterways, wetlands, and natural resources that are essential to our economy and quality of life.
Wallace: New Hanover County is facing the challenge of managing accelerated growth. Since 2020, our county has added more than 20,000 residents. Many come for the same reasons I chose to move here and stay: New Hanover County is a wonderful place to call home. Growth affects every system, so we must ensure it benefits current and future residents by investing in infrastructure, protecting water and the environment, expanding affordable housing, improving transportation, supporting our workforce and aging residents, and ensuring quality healthcare for all. Managing growth should create a resilient community, better quality of life, and opportunity for every resident.
Zapple: Managing rapid growth while protecting our quality of life is one of the greatest challenges facing New Hanover County. That includes addressing housing affordability, improving transportation and infrastructure, support for arts and culture, protecting our drinking water and natural resources, and providing strong support for public education and public safety. We also have to remain disciplined with county finances. These issues are interconnected and meeting them will require thoughtful long-term planning and stronger cooperation among the County, the city of Wilmington, our beach towns and neighboring counties.
What goals do you have for the county?
Collier: Four things. Build smart: put infrastructure before growth and tie development decisions to real capacity for roads, schools, water, sewer and drainage. Spend wisely: keep taxes low, focus on core services, and publish the long-term cost of every major commitment in plain language before the vote. Keep it livable: make sure longtime families, working residents and seniors can still afford to live here. Protect what matters: strong public safety, clean water and green space. Along the way, bring the public into decisions earlier, before they are baked, and get the city and county working from one plan instead of two.
Drach: Government should be competent, uncontroversial, and a service we appreciate rather than something to deal with. In short, boring. There is a cliche about how filling potholes and collecting the garbage is not very sexy. And while New Hanover County is quietly competent in many ways, we've gotten a few big things wrong recently. The county is overextended just when growth is making demands for more services. The school bond is sorely needed, so we must do that. Otherwise, we should revisit all the activities of local government, prioritize public health and emergency services, and reset expectations in other areas.
Pierce: My goal is to keep New Hanover County affordable while protecting the quality of life that makes our community special. I want to maintain strong fiscal discipline, keep taxes as low as possible, and ensure taxpayers receive value for every dollar spent. As we grow, we must make smart investments in schools, public safety, transportation, infrastructure, and housing. I also want to continue preserving green space, protecting our beaches and waterways, and strengthening coastal resiliency. Most importantly, I want growth to be thoughtful, responsible, and beneficial to the people who already call New Hanover County home.
Wallace: First, my goal for New Hanover County is to build a healthy, resilient, and economically strong community where everyone has opportunity, and no one is left behind. Secondly, I want to strengthen partnerships with community organizations, support working families and local businesses, invest in transportation and workforce development, and ensure county resources are used transparently and effectively. Most importantly, I want residents to have a meaningful voice in decisions that affect their neighborhoods, families, and future, particularly around affordable housing, accessible healthcare, clean water, strong public education, and reliable infrastructure.
Zapple: My goals are to strengthen our public schools, protect our environment, expand opportunities for affordable and workforce housing, and make sure infrastructure keeps pace with development. I want to strengthen partnerships between the County and our municipalities and continue improving access to healthcare and other essential services. Further, I would like to focus on economic development, including rebuilding our local film and television industry. Most importantly, I want county government to remain transparent, fiscally responsible and focused on the long-term interests of the people who live here.
Why are you the best candidate for this position?
Collier: I am an engineer. For nearly 30 years I have designed the roads, water, sewer and stormwater systems this county runs on, and for 20 years I have served on our planning boards, working the codes and the projects that decide how we grow. I have sat on both the county planning board and the city planning commission, so I know both rulebooks and where they do not connect. Growth does not manage itself. Either we plan for it or we pay for it later. I know how to write the plan, and I will listen before I vote.
Drach: I'm not part of the status quo. I have not worked for the county or a county contractor. I'm not a real estate developer, though I own a house and am a partner in a business here. Hence, I am a fresh, independent agent -- the most independent of all commissioner candidates. And I'm more. I have a diverse background of achievement, from being an engineer and teacher, to a Peace Corps volunteer, to a professional manager, accountant, and entrepreneur. My interests in community service go back 40 years, more than half of those years here in New Hanover County.
Pierce: I bring a combination of business experience, local government leadership, and a proven record of service. After more than 30 years as a small business owner, I understand budgeting, accountability, and the importance of protecting taxpayers. I have served on the Carolina Beach Town Council, as the first woman mayor of Carolina Beach, and now as Chair of the New Hanover County Board of Commissioners. That experience has prepared me to make difficult decisions, manage growth responsibly, protect our natural resources, and keep our county affordable while delivering the services our citizens expect.
Wallace: I am the best candidate because I combine lived experience with professional expertise as an advanced practice nurse. My public health background has taught me to listen, collaborate, and use evidence to address challenges related to clean water and access to healthcare. I believe good governance centers on people and requires evidence-based decisions and fiscal responsibility. I understand how county choices affect schools, the environment, and access to resources. Above all, I have a proven record of integrity, transparency, and establishing sustainable solutions to help our community thrive.
Zapple: I have served on the Board of Commissioners since 2014, giving me extensive experience with county budgets, land-use decisions, education funding, infrastructure and the many partnerships that make county government work. As a builder and small business owner, I also bring practical experience understanding development, construction and the local economy. I have always approached this job independently: doing my homework, asking difficult questions and looking beyond the next election. That combination of experience, institutional knowledge and independence is especially important as New Hanover County continues to grow.
How will you balance affordable housing with overdevelopment concerns?
Collier: Growth is not the problem. Growth without a plan is. The frustration people feel with overdevelopment comes from projects approved without the roads, schools and drainage to support them. Fix that, and you fix both problems at once. Write the code so homes working families can afford get built in the right places, with the infrastructure to carry them. Tie density to real capacity. Bring neighbors in earlier. Use the county's new revolving loan fund, which gets its dollars back, not giveaways. Respect private property rights. And align the city and county, because we share one housing market.
Drach: The current direction in the county is to favor master planned communities, or large developments. This is a trap for a land-locked area like New Hanover County. To provide great services, more housing options, and unique neighborhoods requires a focus on infill. County revenue depends on maximizing property values. Low-cost housing requires density. We'd all be better off -- renters, owners, and investors, if we could shift the development model. But that will not happen with the current regime.
Pierce: Affordable housing and responsible growth must go hand in hand. We need more housing options for teachers, first responders, healthcare workers, and other working families, but development must be appropriate for the surrounding community and supported by adequate infrastructure. I support encouraging housing in areas where roads, utilities, schools, and services can accommodate growth, while protecting established neighborhoods and green space. We should also pursue public-private partnerships and make strategic use of county resources to expand workforce housing without placing the entire burden on taxpayers. Growth should be thoughtful, balanced, and consistent with our community’s long-term needs.
Wallace: Balancing affordable housing with overdevelopment concerns will require reimagining development plans and design, such as encouraging higher-density housing near existing infrastructure, transit, healthcare access, and services. I support protecting established neighborhoods, wetlands, waterways, and other environmentally sensitive areas. This approach reduces costs, improves access to essential resources, provides public incentives, is measurable, and fosters lasting affordability and community benefits.
Zapple: Affordable housing and responsible growth are not competing goals. We need more housing, particularly for working families, but it should be located where infrastructure and services can support it. I support directing appropriate density toward areas with existing roads, utilities and transportation options while protecting environmentally sensitive land and established communities, and preserving open space and green space. The County should also continue partnerships that leverage public, nonprofit and private investment for workforce housing. Good planning means increasing our housing supply without approving every development regardless of its impact on traffic, infrastructure or surrounding neighborhoods.
How will you help the community capitalize on investments from The Endowment?
Collier: The Endowment is the single biggest advantage this county has: $1.7 billion that began as the people's hospital. Commissioners have one real lever, appointments: qualified, independent people, then let them do the job, with no politics or pressure in either direction. Money that started as public money deserves public-grade transparency. The model that works is the Endowment's $116 million pledge toward school construction if the bond passes, private dollars stretching taxpayer dollars on a core public need. We should partner on core needs like that.
Drach: I'm a critic of The Endowment and the group that set it up. So, a vote for me sends that message. It is The Endowment's responsibility to put the money to work for the benefit of the people of New Hanover County. I hope they do and I will align with any group of stakeholders who demand more and faster spending from The Endowment. Meanwhile, there is also a $300 MM fund controlled by the County Commissions that should be put to work immediately, which I will support doing, ideally to reduce debt service.
Pierce: The Endowment represents a tremendous opportunity to make long-term investments that improve the lives of New Hanover County residents. I will continue advocating for transparency, accountability, and strong leadership to ensure these resources are invested wisely. We should focus on initiatives that create lasting impact in areas such as education, workforce development, community health, and economic opportunity. I also believe Endowment investments should complement, not replace, the responsibilities of county government. By working collaboratively and measuring results, we can ensure these investments strengthen our community today while preserving resources and opportunities for future generations.
Wallace: I will continue strengthening collaboration among the County, The Endowment, nonprofits, businesses, schools, the healthcare system, and residents to foster sustainable programs. I will reiterate that The Endowment's investments complement, not replace, our public responsibilities; therefore, leveraging as an additional resource to build the capacity of local organizations and address the interconnected challenges created by growth: affordable housing, transportation, childcare, workforce development, food access, healthcare, mental health, and resilience. Investments are not just financial; they also improve quality of life. Lastly, I will seek appointees from the commissioners who share my values of integrity, transparency, and compassion.
Zapple: The Endowment represents an extraordinary opportunity for New Hanover County, but its resources will have the greatest impact when they complement — not replace — responsible public investment. The County should work collaboratively with The Endowment, municipalities, nonprofits and private partners on measurable, long-term priorities such as affordable housing, healthcare access, education, youth development and economic opportunity. Projects like Avenue Flats demonstrate how Endowment funding can leverage county, city, state and private dollars to accomplish more than any one organization could alone. We should pursue partnerships that produce lasting results while respecting The Endowment's independent role.
What's your stance on tolling the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge replacement?
Collier: We must exhaust all other options before even discussing a toll. The funding gap is real, and losing the $242 million federal grant is not an option. Of the alternatives, a local-option sales tax is the one that could close the gap, and it would fund other transportation needs in our county, not just the bridge. It needs the General Assembly's approval and a vote of the people, which is how a decision that size should be made. The county, city and Wilmington MPO have to push for it with one voice in Raleigh.
Drach: I am absolutely against making people pay for a bridge they don't use. Of course, the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge is for a state road is not a county responsibility. But given that there are several other "free" options to cross the river, and funding the bridge with a toll can accelerate the project, it makes good sense.
Pierce: I do not support placing the burden of replacing the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge primarily on local commuters through tolls. This bridge is a critical regional and state transportation corridor, serving residents, businesses, freight traffic, the Port of Wilmington, and hurricane evacuation needs. The state and federal governments should continue pursuing funding alternatives before asking working families to pay every time they cross the river. With the replacement currently estimated at $1.1 billion, we must secure a long-term funding solution that is fair to taxpayers and recognizes the bridge’s importance to the entire state.
Wallace: I support public safety; therefore, I support replacing the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge with a safe, modern structure that can accommodate future growth, protect emergency routes, and strengthen our economy and port. We need a transparent comparison of every available funding source, including state and federal funding, transportation bonds, and regional revenue options. A major financial commitment deserves a clear voice in that decision. My stance is to protect communities and the environment, support the port and economy, and ensure fair costs for bridge users.
Zapple: Replacing the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge is an urgent regional infrastructure priority, but I do not believe we should rush to place the burden on local commuters through tolls. I have consistently pushed for state and federal funding for the bridge, which is heavily utilized by our State Port and commuters and businesses throughout the region. The $242 million federal grant already secured, and the $85 million commitment from the NCDOT demonstrates why we must continue pursuing those opportunities. Every funding option deserves careful evaluation, but affordability for residents who cross the bridge every day must remain a central consideration.
Daniel Sheehan covers New Hanover County for the StarNews. Reach him at dsheehan@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Meet the candidates for the New Hanover County Board of Commissioners
