Cory Thornton
Cory Thornton The Republican primary for this office on March 3, 2026 , was canceled.
· Ballotpedia
Campaign site
Taxes, budget & cost of living: “I'll fight in Raleigh to keep spending disciplined, keep the rate coming down, and stop treating families and small businesses like a renewable resource for the next government program.”
(Campaign website (accessed Oct 23, 2026)) Housing & infrastructure: “Economist Thomas Sowell has pointed out for years that unaffordable housing in many parts of the country traces directly back to local building and zoning restrictions rather than a shortage of land or lumber. That's a state and local policy problem, and it's one I intend to work on.”
(Campaign website (accessed Oct 23, 2026)) Taxes, budget & cost of living: “I'll push for property tax relief that doesn't punish families for rising values they haven't cashed in on, and for cutting the red tape that adds months and dollars to every new home built in Franklin and Vance”
(Campaign website (accessed Oct 23, 2026)) Mark Speed
Mark Speed earned a high school diploma from Louisburg High School and an associate degree from the Louisburg Community College. His career experience includes working as a business owner.
· Ballotpedia
Campaign site
Public education & schools: “I am a strong advocate for public education, because I believe every child deserves a quality education. Even with school choice vouchers not every family can afford to send their kids to private schools. Private schools and Charter schools are also able to deny a student enrollment for any reason they want to.”
(Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey (2026))