Five Democrats running for Cumberland County commissioner District 1 seats
Cumberland County Commissioner Glenn Adams has drawn four Democratic opponents in the upcoming March 3 primary for one of two District 1 commissioner seats, including several first-time candidates and a former Fayetteville city council member.
Incumbent Jeannette Council, who holds the other District 1 seat, did not refile for election.
The top two will advance to the November general election and will be the likely winners of the two seats since no Republicans filed in the race.
Six Democratic candidates and two Republicans are seeking two separate at-large seats on the seven-member board.
In addition to Adams, the other candidates are Sheila Cuffee; Gary "Moe" Murray; Terri S. Thomas and former Council member Larry Wright Sr.
Here is a look at each candidate, with names in alphabetical order.
All filings: Get the list of candidates on Cumberland County ballots in 2026 elections
Glenn Adams
Adams is a local attorney who is a lifelong resident of Cumberland County and an alumnus of E.E. Smith High School and Fayetteville State University. He was first elected to the Board of Commissioners in 2014 and served as the board's vice chair in 2016 and 2020, and as chairman in 2017, 2021 and 2024.
He also serves as a board member for Fayetteville State University and has served as the chair of Action Pathways Incorporated's Board of Directors and the Cumberland County Juvenile Crime Prevention Council.
"One of the reasons I filed again is to see a continuation of some programs I initiated like healthy conversations about maternal health for this community and working with the (Cape Fear Valley Medical Center) to have a medical school that's coming," Adams said Jan. 12. "These are programs that affect people, and these are programs that we need to continue."
Adams said he wants to ensure the Department of Social Services and Health Department are fully funded, and said he brings experience to the board.
"I'm looking toward the future to make this a better community," Adams said. "This is home for me, and it's always important to take care of people. We got some things going on in the future in terms of the economy and things that need to be pushed, and that's what I'm looking to do."
For more information, visit Adams' Instagram account at GlennAdams1977 .
Sheila Cuffee
Cuffee is a Cumberland County native and military spouse, according to her campaign page.
She has also previously served as the chair of the Fayetteville Cumberland County Human Relations Commission, is serving her second term as an appointee to the NC Human Relations Commission and currently serves as chair of the Cumberland County CommuniCare Board of Directors and is on the executive committee for the Fayetteville Arts Council and part of the Community Engagement Council for the Methodist University and Cape Fear Valley School of Medicine.
Her site says that her advocacy has focused on "mental and physical wellness, economic stability, and supporting communities that often go without recognition or resources."
In a Jan. 13 statement, she said her decision to run "is rooted in a calling to serve through humility, compassion, and accountability."
"I'm committed to being a voice for those who are often overlooked, including individuals who are differently abled, those facing mental health or cognitive challenges, seniors, youth, and families experiencing economic hardship," she said. "I am running to serve the people of District 1 and Cumberland County, not to be served, and to work toward real solutions that strengthen our entire community."
Cuffee's campaign site says her areas of focus include supporting mental health needs in the community; addressing housing insecurity; and promoting policies for business growth, along with support to small and minority-owned businesses and workforce development.
For more information, visit sheilacuffee.com .
Garry "Moe" Murray
Murray is a lifelong resident of Cumberland County and a graduate of Fayetteville State University and Beacon University in Columbus, Georgia.
He has worked for Grifols Pharmaceuticals in Clayton for the past eight years and is founder and pastor of Perpetual Praise Fellowship, where he's served for 21 years.
"I am running for County Commissioner because I believe Cumberland County deserves fiscal responsibility, transparency and leadership that listens and responds to the needs of its citizens," Murray said in a Jan. 12 statement.
For more information, visit Murray's Facebook page at Garry Moe Murray .
Terri S. Thomas
Thomas is the director of a local nonprofit, the Vision Resource Center, which supports blind and visually impaired individuals.
According to her campaign website, she is a Fayetteville native and a graduate of E.E. Smith High School and N.C. State.
Her site states that she worked for corporate America until becoming her father's caregiver in 2004 and that she became executive director of the Vision Resource Center in 2010.
Her other experience includes serving on multiple local boards, including the Tourism Development Authority Board, Juvenile Crime Prevention Council and Cumberland County Alcoholic Beverage Control Board, of which she was named chair in 2024.
"As a lifelong advocate for stronger neighborhoods, I'm running for County Commissioner to bring new energy, transparency, and people-first solutions to Cumberland County," Thomas' site states. "Together, we can build safer neighborhoods, stronger families, and a more prosperous future for everyone who calls Cumberland County home."
Her site states that her priorities are advocating for economic opportunity and infrastructure investment; supporting county partners and organizations to address homelessness, support juvenile crime prevention and mental health services, and strengthen emergency response; and focusing on clean water and reliable sewer infrastructure, public health and environmental protection.
For more information, visit territhomasnc.org .
Larry O. Wright Sr.
Wright, a veteran and senior pastor and founder of Heal the Land Outreach Ministries, served three terms on the Fayetteville City Council until being defeated by current Council member Brenda McNair in 2022 .
He has served on the Homeless & Hunger Stand Down Committee, Cumberland County Veterans Council, Fayetteville-Cumberland County Ministerial Council, PWC Community Advisory Board and Cumberland County Action Program.
According to Wright's campaign website, he "brings experience, integrity, and a clear vision for a stronger Cumberland County."
The website continues to state that he leads with fairness and "a commitment to do what is right for the people her serves" and "believes people deserve clear communication, open decision making, and honest leadership that keeps the community informed and involved."
For more information, visit electlarrywright.com .
Staff writer Rachael Riley can be reached at rriley@fayobserver.com or 910-486-3528.
This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: Who is running for the District 1 seat in Cumberland County?
