ELECTION 2026: Bloomfield fire chief files as candidate for District 5 magistrate

NC GAZETTE / WBRT RADIO
STAFF REPORT

Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025 — Ted Shields, the chief of the Northeast Nelson Fire Protection District, filed Wednesday as a Republican candidate for District 5 magistrate.

Shields is a Bloomfield native and resident. According to his social media page, he is a former employee of Nelson County EMS.

PREVIOUS FILINGS.

The following candidates filed earlier for local offices:

Nelson County Judge-Executive – Tim Hutchins (R) **
Nelson County Judge-Executive — Benjamin Corder (D)

Nelson County Clerk – Jeanette Hall Sidebottom (D) **

Nelson County Attorney – Arch C. “Chip” McKay (D) **

Nelson County Sheriff – Ramon “P-RO” Pineiroa (D) **
Nelson County Sheriff — William Jarren Culver (R)

Nelson County Jailer – Justin David Hall (R) **

Nelson County Coroner – Danielle Elizabeth Chladek (R) **
Nelson County Coroner — Kerry Monin (R)

Nelson County Property Valuation Administrator (PVA) – Jason “Jay” Williams (R) **

Magistrate District 1 – Ballard Keith Metcalfe (D) **

Magistrate District 2 – Adam Wheatley (R) **
Magistrate District 2 – Gary Coulter (R) former D2 magistrate

Magistrate District 3 — M.T. Harned (R) **
Magistrate District 3 — Cameron Richards (D)

Magistrate District 4 — Don Thrasher (R), a resident of Colonel Cox Road.
Magistrate District 4 — Brent Brey (R), a resident of Antler’s Trace
Magistrate District 4 – Frankie Cambron (D)

Magistrate District 5 — Robert Allen Chesser (R)

Nelson County Surveyor – no filings
Nelson County Constable – no filings

The filing deadline for the 2026 primary is 4p.m. Friday, Jan. 9, 2026.

Note: ** indicates incumbent candidate.

-30-


Discover more from The Nelson County Gazette

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

Discover more from The Nelson County Gazette

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading