By Gordon Anderson | gordon@rantnc.com
An unaffiliated voter in the Deep River area has qualified as a write in candidate for the Lee County Board of Commissioners seat held by Republican Commissioner Kirk Smith, according to the Lee County Board of Elections.
Jonathan Boyce lives on Lee’s Chapel Road in the Deep River area. He was able to gather enough signatures from eligible voters to earn a write in line in the District 2 race this fall for the Lee County Board of Commissioners. Boyce’s name won’t be on the ballot, but only write in votes for his name will count in the 2026 election.
Boyce has spoken at at least one meeting of the Lee County Board of Commissioners in recent weeks, appearing during a public comment period to advocate against a proposed data center near his home. A media sheet provided by the Lee County Board of Elections lists his occupation as life coach and indicates he’s an unaffiliated voter.
Reached for comment, Boyce said he “felt led to run” because of the data center issue.
“There are so many people in the community who feel like they were deceived by the data center rezoning,” he said. “I don’t like the way it was handled, and the residents of Lee County don’t either. This is nothing I ever planned to do, but I think leaders need to show honesty and transparency.”
Boyce said he’s originally from Pennsylvania but has been in North Carolina since 2011. He moved to Lee County from the Durham area in 2021 because he has family in the area. He said he doesn’t intend to be a one issue candidate and will spend the next four months working to hear from voters about how best he can serve them if he’s elected.
“I just learned yesterday I was qualified as a write in candidate,” he said. “Obviously there are a lot of other issues besides the data center, and I’ve got a lot to learn. I’m looking forward to talking with voters and learning about what they think.”
Prior to Boyce’s entry to the race, Smith had no opposition in the 2026 election. District 2 covers eastern and northern Lee County, stretching from the Cumnock and Northview areas to Deep River, Broadway and the northern half of Carolina Trace.
The Rant will provide more coverage of the 2026 campaign as it develops.
This is exactly what we need in this county. We are coming after you Kirk Smith and getting rid of you and your corrupted Jimmy Randolph partnership!! People in district 2 are tired of having someone not listen to them and representing corporation growth and ruining people’s lives with your pop up growth!! Vote Nov. Boyce for commissioner 2026 !!