In local elections, the loudest arguments are often about change.
But the most important question is usually simpler:
Change from what — and toward what?
Continuity and disruption are not inherently good or bad. They are tools. The question is whether they fit the moment Union County is in right now.
Union County is not standing still. Growth pressure is real. Development interest is real. Infrastructure strain is real. And decisions being made today will shape this county for decades, not just election cycles.
In moments like this, continuity is not complacency.
It is intentional stewardship.
That’s why the experience and alignment of Melissa Merrell, Brian Helms, and Sam Harris matter. Their records reflect a consistent approach to governing and stewardship. An approach of the Union County Board of Commissioners that values fiscal discipline, property rights, and thoughtful growth over reactionary decision-making.
Disruption can be useful when systems are broken.
But disruption without a clear plan often creates instability — especially at the county level, where zoning, infrastructure, and tax decisions are difficult to undo once they’re made.
Here’s the part that rarely gets said out loud:
Local government works best when leaders understand not just what can be done, but what shouldn’t be rushed.
Continuity provides:
- Predictability for families and businesses
- Stability for long-term planning
- Guardrails against overreach during periods of rapid growth
This is how Sweet Union County has preserved its character while still moving forward.
That doesn’t mean questioning incumbents is wrong.
It means evaluating them on outcomes, not noise.
And the outcome so far has been a county that remains fiscally sound, locally grounded, and deliberate about growth — even as external pressure increases.
Primaries are where voters decide to stay the course.
That choice deserves thought, not impulse.
March matters because this is where continuity is either reinforced or fractured, quietly and long before the general election.
If you value stability during change, experience during growth, and measured leadership over experimentation, the primary ballot is where that preference actually counts.
As always, get informed. Ask questions. Look at the records. Then vote with intention.
That’s how Union County stays Union County.
Early Voting: Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026, through Saturday, February 28, 2026.
Regular Primary Voting: Tuesday, March 3, 2026, 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.