Gina Palandri (Union County Board of Commissioners, North Carolina, candidate 2022)

Gina Palandri

Democratic Party

Candidate, Union County Board of Commissioners At-large

Elections and appointments

Last election

November 8, 2022

Education

High school

Thomas Jefferson High School

Bachelor's

Mankato State University, 1984

Personal

Birthplace

Minneapolis, Minn.

Religion

Catholic

Profession

Sales Representative

Contact

Campaign website

Campaign Facebook

Campaign Twitter

Gina Palandri (Democratic Party) ran for election to the Union County Board of Commissioners At-large in North Carolina. She was on the ballot in the general election on November 8, 2022.^[source]

Palandri completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2022. Click here to read the survey answers.

Elections

Per our coverage scope, Ballotpedia does not provide election results for this particular race. Check your city or county government's election website for vote totals.

General election

General election for Union County Board of Commissioners At-large (3 seats)

The following candidates ran in the general election for Union County Board of Commissioners At-large on November 8, 2022.

		Candidate
	Submit photo	Kevin Daniels (D)
	Submit photo	Kimberly Morrison-Hansley (D)
		Gina Palandri (D)
	Submit photo	Brian W. Helms (R)
	Submit photo	Melissa Merrell (R)
	Submit photo	Stony Rushing (R)

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	Incumbency information for this election was not available.
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Republican primary election

Republican primary for Union County Board of Commissioners At-large (3 seats)

The following candidates ran in the Republican primary for Union County Board of Commissioners At-large on May 17, 2022.

		Candidate
	Submit photo	Edwin Elam
	Submit photo	Steven Engel
	Submit photo	Terrence J. Glesias
	Submit photo	Brian W. Helms
	Submit photo	Melissa Merrell
	Submit photo	Parker Mills
	Submit photo	Dennis Rape
	Submit photo	Stony Rushing
	Submit photo	Jonathan Thomas
	Submit photo	Travis Wilson

---

	Incumbency information for this election was not available.
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Campaign themes

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Gina Palandri completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2022. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Palandri's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

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Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Born in MN, have worked in the Specialty Coffee Industry, Natural Product Channels, worked for large corp, and small start-ups, and been involved with politics for most of my adult life. Was able to work on the late Senator Wellstones campaign,worked as an election judge for over 25 years and dove right into NC politics when I moved here. Moved to be near family and have lots of great nieces now! Co-chair of the Tom Burnett High School project. #dosomething

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

• Fix what is broken first!
• Plan a sustainable Union County!
• County over Party!

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Infrastructure

Public Transportation
Sustainable Energy
Diverse Housing

Food Sustainability and Local Food supporter

What qualities does this office possess that makes it a unique and important part of the state government and legal system?

The Union County Board of Commissioners has the responsibility of guiding policy, legislative, and administrative duties. This includes zoning, property tax rates, changing zoning laws, and providing services to Union County residents.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

My mother, my sister and all my nieces who are mothers now.

Politically I am a Wellstone Progressive who also voted for Jesse Ventura and love independent politicians. We all need to cooperate with one another. We all do better, when we all do better.

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

How the rural poor got power By Paul Wellstone

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=38DibExHKEk Grassroots Leadership by Paul Wellstone 5 minute video

Also my Substack Blog for this campaign:

Ginaforunioncounty.substack.com

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Trust, Reliability, and Cooperation.
Value County over party!

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

Being accountable to those who elect us, whatever party they are affiliated with, and whether they voted for us or not.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

JFK assasination 1-year-old (I remember my mother crying)

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

Working at a Pet shop in Bloomington, MN at age 14
4 years

What is your favorite book? Why?

Where the Crawdads Sing- escape from life book
& The Four Agreements- practice in life

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

Shout by Tears for Fear

Do you believe that it's beneficial for holders of this office to have previous experience in government or politics?

I believe the main requirement should be accountability and dedication to the people of Union County, not yourself. Also, the skillset requires cooperation and negotiation.

What kind of skills or expertise do you believe would be the most helpful for the holders of this office to possess?

I have worked with large international companies( like International Dairy Queen working with franchisees, Franke Coffee Systems selling Espresso Equipment, and small business models opening coffee houses and Cafes, when I relocated to NC I was part of an experiential marketing team for General Mills and worked with multiple NC Food businesses to expand their businesses across the country. As well as I worked for over 25 years as an election judge, and benefited from an understanding of how elections work, I mentored new chair judges and student judges. I also served on multiple committees during the installation of the first Light Rail/Public Transportation in Mpls and understand greatly livability issues for neighborhoods. Broad experience at multiple levels of professional career, and worked in Food Co-ops as a volunteer to understand and grasp food sustainability. Worked as block club leader and NNO chair in neighborhood.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

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