Your 2026 Candidates

My name is Paul Barringer, and I’m running for Congress in North Carolina’s 13th Congressional District. I’m a husband, father, lawyer, Eagle Scout, Sunday School teacher, and endurance athlete. I live on a farm in Lee County. I like fried chicken (and lentils). 

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I’m running to bring common sense and constitutional values back to Washington – and to walk alongside the people of North Carolina’s 13th District every step of the way. My campaign is about listening first – and building support for the idea that our strength comes from the ground up, not the top down. I look forward to seeing you soon!

I’m running for the North Carolina Senate because our communities deserve more than survival—they deserve to thrive. As a father, pastor, and former legislator, I’ve seen firsthand what happens when people are overlooked by Raleigh and underserved by systems meant to protect them.

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My life’s work—whether in the pulpit or at the policy table—has been to lift voices, build bridges, and fight for justice. During my time in the General Assembly, I helped pass bipartisan legislation on education, healthcare, criminal justice reform, and economic development. Now I’m ready to finish what we started.

Mark Speed has served as a Franklin Co. Commissioner since his appointment in 2017.  He was elected to a full term in 2020 and re-elected in 2024. Prior to his appointment, and throughout his time on the county commission, he has served on various community service boards representing Franklin Co. and surrounding communities.

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On the County Commission, Mark has fought to fund public schools, improve public services, support small businesses and lower taxes for working families.

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Mark and his wife of 28 years, Camille Speed, live in Louisburg North Carolina.​

Born and raised in Louisburg, Tim Gupton has lived in Franklin County his entire life. He grew up on the family farm and in the construction business. It’s the kind of upbringing that forges genuine work ethic and a lasting connection to this community.

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Tim worked as a state probation officer and then served more than two decades as a federal officer with the U.S. Probation Office, where he conducted investigations for federal judges, supervised offenders across six Eastern NC counties, and led high-profile operations in active partnership with the DEA, ATF, FBI, and U.S. Marshals Service. Promoted to Senior U.S. Probation Officer in 2019.

Milltrene Brodie-Newell brings a lifelong dedication to community empowerment and service grounded in her lived history, professional education, and sustained community advocacy. As one of the first African American students to integrate Louisburg High School, she demonstrated early courage and civic awareness that  has shaped her commitment to fairness and access.

Brodie-Newell holds a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education from Fayetteville State University and a Master’s degree as a Resource Specialist from Appalachian State University, and has dutifully served Franklin County for more than 25 years as an educator, community advocate, group home-owner and operator.

Darin is a life-long resident of Franklinton, North Carolina. He is a farmer’s son and a father of two wonderful adult children. In his professional life, Darin secured funding for rural installation of fiber internet in Franklin County. As an accomplished engineer, Darin is a leader at work and in the community.

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On any given day, you might find Darin driving around the farm on his Farmall tractor or heading into town to help a friend move furniture.

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He’s the type of person who always makes time to help others, whether it’s a meal, a random act of charity, or helping with housing.

Michelle Strong is a deeply committed, results-oriented leader who has dedicated her life to public service and community advocacy. Growing up in a working-class family, she witnessed firsthand the challenges of limited resources and the transformative power of community support. These experiences have shaped her unwavering dedication to creating policies that uplift every resident in Franklin County.  

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Paige Sayles holds a B.A. in Social Work and a Master of Social Work. She began her career working with children and individuals with disabilities in group homes, particularly those with dual diagnoses. As a mother of four sons — all Franklin County Schools graduates — she became deeply involved in the school system through PTA organizations before stepping up to serve on the board.

In spite of limited funding, the board has made steady progress under Paige's leadership — strengthening academic performance, supporting educators, and managing resources responsibly. She brings experience, fiscal discipline, and a clear focus on student success.

Steven Gupton is an emergency services and education systems leader with nearly two decades of experience serving in both frontline and administrative roles. His career spans public safety, K–12 education, higher education, and workforce development, giving him a rare systems-level perspective on how large public institutions are led, monitored, and continuously improved in service of their communities.

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Steven’s professional background includes operational leadership as a paramedic and EMS administrator, as well as classroom, district, and state-level leadership in education. 

My connection to the Franklin County School System is personal and lifelong. As a proud product of FCS, my educational journey began at Louisburg Elementary and Riverside Magnet Elementary, through Terrell Lane Middle School, to graduating from Louisburg High School in the Class of 2010. Along the way, I gained valuable skills from Career and Technical Education courses at Franklinton High School and was actively involved in the Marching Band, National Honor Society, and National Technical Honor Society. Franklin County Schools helped shape who I am today.

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