Truce Reached in Brunswick County Leadership Dispute Over Campaign Funding

By BC News Staff Writer

BOLIVIA, NC — A high-profile standoff between two of Brunswick County’s most prominent officials has moved toward a quiet resolution this week and they tucked away their pitchforks. A high energy public dispute over campaign contributions and development approvals appears to have reached a tentative truce.

The conflict, which pitted County Commissioner Randy Thompson against Planning Board Chairman Clifton “Clif” Cheek, had previously threatened to upend the county’s administrative stability following a contentious primary election season.

Origins of this heated conflict started around mid-March 2026, shortly after Thompson defeated Cheek in the Republican primary for the district 1 commissioner seat. Within days of the election results, the Planning Board, under Cheek’s leadership, voted to approve the Cherrytree Tract, a massive 1,000-unit residential development.

Commissioner Thompson subsequently issued a formal call for Cheek’s resignation, citing public concerns regarding nearly $44,000 in campaign contributions Cheek received from developers and contractors. Thompson specifically highlighted a $3,000 donation from the Cherrytree Tract’s developer, arguing that the timing of the donation and the subsequent project approval created a “perception of a conflict of interest.”

A Defiant Rebuttal – Chairman Cheek has remained steadfast in his refusal to step down, maintaining that he has strictly followed all ethical and legal guidelines. In public statements, Cheek argued that campaign donations are a standard part of running for office and do not dictate his voting record, which he maintains is focused on the legal requirements of the county’s current Unified Development Ordinance (UDO).

The dispute further intensified in late March when two other Planning Board members, Jason Gaver and James “Jim” Board, resigned their positions. Both cited a growing frustration with the board’s limited authority to deny large-scale developments that they believe are outpacing the county’s infrastructure.

As of early May, the public calls for resignation have subsided. The “truce” is characterized not by a formal agreement, but by a strategic shift in focus from the Board of Commissioners.

Rather than continuing the push for Cheek’s removal, the Commissioners have pivoted toward legislative and policy-driven solutions to address the root causes of the friction:

• UDO Modernization: The county has initiated a comprehensive review of the Unified Development Ordinance to give officials more discretionary power over high-density projects.

• Infrastructure Oversight: New focus has been placed on mitigating the environmental impacts of rapid growth, specifically concerning land-clearing burns, drainage, and utility expansions.

• Board Vacancies: The county is now focused on vetting new candidates to fill the seats vacated by Gaver and Board, seeking to restore the Planning Board to its full strength.

While the personal dispute has de-escalated, the underlying debate over development and political funding continues to serve as a backdrop for county governance. For now, both Thompson and Cheek remain in their respective roles, navigating a relationship that has transitioned from open conflict to a professional, if cautious, coexistence.

The Board of Commissioners is expected to discuss the next steps for UDO revisions and board appointments at their upcoming mid-month meeting.

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