Longtime Guilford County Commissioner Kay Cashion to Retire
Guilford County Commissioner Kay Cashion announced on November 19, 2025 that she will not seek reelection and will retire at the end of her current term in 2026. Her departure after 22 years on the board removes a veteran presence from county government and could reshape candidate filings and contests in the next election cycle.
On November 19, 2025 Guilford County Commissioner Kay Cashion said she would not run for another term and plans to retire when her current term concludes in 2026. A Democrat from Greensboro, Cashion has served on the county board for 22 years. In interviews she acknowledged that constituents had encouraged her to consider another term, but she concluded that it was time to step down.
Cashion's announcement was significant for a county board that has relied on long serving members to guide complex budget and policy decisions. Local reporting has outlined her years of service and described key accomplishments and priorities she advanced on the commission. Colleagues responded by praising the institutional knowledge and community focus she brought to the board, noting that her experience helped navigate routine governance and more contentious policy debates alike.
The immediate practical impact will be on the 2026 election cycle for county seats. An open seat creates opportunities for new candidates and will likely alter filing decisions across local contests. Political observers in Guilford County expect that Cashion's decision will prompt prospective candidates to reassess their chances and timelines, and could intensify competition for nominations and endorsements in both party primaries and the general election.
For residents the change matters beyond partisan calculations. Long tenures create continuity in relationships with municipal officials, nonprofit leaders, and state agencies. The loss of that continuity will require incoming commissioners to build institutional relationships and a working knowledge of county operations. County staff and community partners will have to manage transitions in ongoing projects and policy priorities to maintain services for Guilford County residents.
Cashion leaves a legacy shaped by more than two decades on the board and by a public profile grounded in community engagement. As the county moves into the 2026 cycle local political life will reflect both the absence of a familiar figure and the opening for new voices to shape the board's future direction.
