Local forum aims to clarify stakes of 2026 races for Wilmington voters
WILMINGTON — Business and community leaders from across the region will convene at the Wilmington Convention Center on Thursday morning, Sept. 3, for the Greater Wilmington Business Journal’s Power Breakfast: Election 2026, a forum intended to give voters and stakeholders a closer look at the candidates running in contests that will shape the direction of New Hanover County and the state.
The event, which begins with breakfast and networking at 7:30 a.m. followed by the program from 8 to 9:45 a.m., will center discussion on the races expected to determine control of the North Carolina General Assembly and the composition of the New Hanover County Board of Commissioners. Organizers say the program is part of the Business Journal’s quarterly Power Breakfast series, a regular convening of local leaders to address topics of interest to the regional business community.
Ward and Smith, P.A. is listed as a sponsor for the Sept. 3 breakfast. In promotional material for the event, supporters emphasized the role of informed civic engagement in sustaining local communities.
"Strong communities depend on informed voters, thoughtful leadership, and opportunities for meaningful conversation."
Event organizers intend the format to give attendees an opportunity to hear directly from candidates, learn about their priorities and assess how those priorities might affect businesses, municipal services, economic development and other local concerns. The forum arrives as candidates and voters begin to focus on issues that will be decisive later this year.
Why this matters for Wilmington residents
The races highlighted at the Power Breakfast have implications for policy decisions ranging from statewide budget priorities to local infrastructure and services overseen by county government. Control of the state legislature can influence tax policy, funding for education and transportation, and regulatory decisions that affect businesses in Wilmington and surrounding communities.
Locally, the New Hanover Board of Commissioners sets priorities and policies for county services — including public health, emergency management, and local economic development — that directly touch daily life for Wilmington residents. The forum offers a chance for voters to hear candidates' perspectives on how they would balance regional needs with fiscal and policy constraints.
- Who: Candidates for state and local offices slated to appear (specific candidate list provided by event organizers)
- What: Power Breakfast: Election 2026 — candidate forum and conversation
- When: Thursday, Sept. 3; breakfast/networking 7:30 a.m., program 8–9:45 a.m.
- Where: Wilmington Convention Center, Wilmington, N.C.
- Sponsor: Ward and Smith, P.A. (event sponsor)
Event logistics and who should attend
The Business Journal’s Power Breakfast series is aimed primarily at business and community leaders, but the program’s focus on candidate presentations and issue discussion makes it relevant to any Wilmington resident seeking to learn more about the November election’s implications. Attendees should expect a mix of prepared remarks and a moderated discussion format designed to cover the most pressing regional issues.
Organizers have framed the breakfast as an opportunity to foster dialogue between voters and those running for office. By bringing candidates into a public, business-oriented forum, the event seeks to offer practical insights into how elected officials could approach policy-making if chosen.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Date | Thursday, Sept. 3, 2026 |
| Time | Breakfast/networking 7:30 a.m.; program 8–9:45 a.m. |
| Location | Wilmington Convention Center |
| Sponsor | Ward and Smith, P.A. |
For Wilmington residents weighing attendance, the breakfast presents an early opportunity to evaluate candidates and issues before the final weeks of the campaign season. As organizers note, informed voter participation is a cornerstone of local governance — and events like this aim to help the public make informed choices at the ballot box.
