WWAY hears from local political analysts, Jonathan Barfield Jr. and Nelson Beaulieu, about the midterm election
(WWAY) — As part of WWAY’s 2026 Midterm Election night coverage, we spoke with two local analysts about key races and the hot topics on the ballot in North Carolina.
Jonathan Barfield Jr. served for sixteen years on the New Hanover County Board of Commissioners, and Nelson Beaulieu served for four years.
Both joined us live to discuss what was at hand for voters. Here’s what they had to say:
What do you think of the early projections so far that call Roy Cooper as winning the U.S. Senate? Were you surprised by the results?
Barfield: “To me, it’s all about the economy. The fact that gas prices are at an all-time high and mortgage rates are at an all-time high. The fact that when you go to the grocery store, your dollar goes for less. Roy Cooper’s campaign was all about make things cost less. The pendulum is swinging in a different direction now.”
Beaulieu: “I mean, for the last ten years in the United States, President Trump has been at the center of American politics. I think the Republican Party, starting tomorrow, is going to have to start to define itself in the post-Trump era.”
What do you make of the New Hanover County Board of Commissioners results tonight?
Barfield: “This may be the first time we’ve had a true Democratic majority since my father served back in the eighties and early 90s. I think it’s going to be historic in terms of having the first African American female elected Board of County commissioners, as the numbers are trending in the way that Lashonda Wallace will indeed win.”
What do you make of the New Hanover County Board of Education results tonight?
Beaulieu: “The bottom line is schools are popular. I think our county residents understand that we’re well behind our bond cycle in New Hanover. You know, we’ve always had a county commission that has supported our school system, and I think that’s because they know that our citizens have always supported our school system here in New Hanover County.”
What do you make of the Brunswick County school bond referendum?
Barfield: “To me, it needs to happen. Brunswick County has been behind the eight ball for a long time with the growth that’s taking place and not having the right infrastructure in place. They find themselves almost odd sizes as opposed to being right size. They need more schools last year, not this year, as this county is the second fastest growing county in our state, and they definitely need schools that will support the folks that are coming to Brunswick County.”
Results on election night are always unofficial.
Canvass is the official process of determining all votes have been counted and tabulated correctly, resulting in the authentication of the official election results.
The canvass typically happens 10 days after election day.
