Boyce qualifies for write in candidacy in District 2
Jonathan Boyce has qualified as a write-in candidate for the Lee County Board of Commissioners, primarily motivated by community opposition to a proposed data center and its controversial rezoning near his home. He expressed that many residents feel deceived by how the data center rezoning was handled. Boyce aims to champion honesty and transparency in local government, while also planning to address broader community concerns beyond this single issue.
Jonathan Boyce, an unaffiliated voter residing in the Deep River area of Lee County, North Carolina, has successfully qualified as a write-in candidate for the Lee County Board of Commissioners in District 2. Boyce's decision to run for the seat, currently held by Republican Commissioner Kirk Smith, stems from widespread community dissatisfaction regarding a proposed data center and its rezoning.
Boyce has previously voiced his opposition to the data center project at Board of Commissioners meetings during public comment periods. He states that many residents feel deceived by the handling of the data center rezoning process, which he believes lacked honesty and transparency. While acknowledging other community issues, Boyce's primary motivation for entering the race is to address these concerns.
District 2 encompasses eastern and northern Lee County, including areas like Deep River, Cumnock, Northview, Broadway, and Carolina Trace. Boyce, a life coach who moved to Lee County in 2021, intends to spend the coming months engaging with voters to understand their needs if elected. His candidacy means Commissioner Smith, who previously faced no opposition, now has a challenger in the upcoming 2026 election.