Brian W. Helms, a Republican Union County commissioner, is seeking reelection in the Nov. 3, 2026, general election. The county election notice lists him alongside Republicans Melissa M. Merrell and Sam Harris and Democrat Christina Dupont in the regular commission contest.
Experience
His official biography identifies Helms as commission chair, elected in November 2022, and a former vice chair. It describes him as a lifelong county resident and Piedmont High School graduate who attended UNC Charlotte.
The biography describes more than 25 years in manufacturing, including project management and employee training. It lists professional credentials in project management, training management and corporate training.
Policy priorities
His campaign platform emphasizes managed residential growth, stronger infrastructure, low taxes, public safety and recruitment of commercial and industrial investment.
Helms says he supports crime laboratory and emergency response improvements, school resource officers, teacher supplements and additional school funding. He also advocates farmland and open-space conservation, easements and rural land-use planning.
Descriptions of Helms’s support for projects are attributed to his campaign. Specific cost, acreage and economic benefit claims have been omitted where not independently corroborated.
