2024 Nonpartisan Voter Guide Pitt County North Carolina

The Governor manages the state’s operations, appoints agency heads, recruits new jobs, and can veto legislation.

REPUBLICAN

Current occupation: Lieutenant Governor

• Supports lower taxes and also tax subsidies for private K-12 schools.
• Opposes gun control.
• Would block right to abortion in most cases.
• Opposes action on climate change as “junk science” & calls the civil rights movement “crap.”
• Would “crack down on illegal immigration and make our country safer.”
• As Lt. Gov., fought “indoctrination” in schools.

Website: markrobinsonfornc.com

DEMOCRAT

Current occupation: Attorney General

• Supports more funds for teachers, public schools and child care centers.
• Would invest in “a clean energy economy” to create jobs and address global warming.
• Supports access to abortion & contraceptives.
• Supports an independent redistricting commission to protect voting rights.
• As Attorney General, sued scammers and makers of addictive drugs.

Website: joshstein.org

Due to space limits, this guide does not profile other candidates for Governor with under 5% of support, based on nonpartisan polling at the time of publication.  However, you can read about all the candidates at ncvoter.org/guide.

Candidates in each contest are listed in the order that they appear on your ballot.

Think Your 1 Vote Doesn’t Matter? In 2020, a top state official won by less than 1 vote per city in N.C. What you do matters! 

The N.C. Supreme Court is not well known, but citizens elect its 7 Justices and its rulings affect everything: voting rights, fair prices, parental rights, racial bias, water quality, your privacy, and more. You can choose 1 Justice this year.

REPUBLICAN

Current occupation: NC Court of Appeals Judge

• Former Wake Co. prosecutor and judge advocate general (JAG) officer in the Army National Guard.
• Says he is “an originalist and a textualist.” He “believes the words of the Constitution mean what they say,” and he values “the rule of law.”
• Says in his experience “the law is applied the same to all citizens.”

Endorsed by: More than three dozen sheriffs; N.C. Republican Party

Website: jeffersongriffin.com

DEMOCRAT

Current occupation: NC Supreme Court Judge

• Former civil rights and voting rights attorney.
• Says courts should protect the “right to privacy [and] access to medical care.”  
• Says she’s committed to “equal justice under   the law” because she has seen the justice system hold people back rather than give them “access to equity and fairness.”

Endorsed by: Sierra Club; N.C. Young Democrats 

Website: riggsforourcourts.com

In addition to President, you can choose legislators to represent your concerns in Congress and the N.C. General Assembly. Vote for 1 candidate for U.S. House of Representatives, 1 for N.C. Senate, and 1 for N.C. House based on your Districts. District lines are new this year; find yours at ncvoter.org/distr. 

DEMOCRAT

• Says: “Building up the middle class will be a defining goal of my presidency.”
• Supports affordable child care and health care, paid family leave, and the right to an abortion.
• Wants new gun control and voting rights laws.
• Would fight price gouging by corporations.
• Supported the bipartisan immigration reform bill opposed by Trump.

Website: kamalaharris.com

REPUBLICAN

• Says: “My first acts as your next President will be to Close the Border, DRILL, BABY, DRILL, and Free the January 6 Hostages being wrongfully imprisoned!”
• Plans to replace Obamacare with insurance markets.
• Will combat fraud with new limits on access to voting.
• Wants to “certify teachers who embrace patriotic values,” end teaching about racism, and let parents elect principals.

Website: donaldjtrump.com

Several other presidential candidates from other political parties are on the ballot; they are profiled at ncvoter.org/guide.

Members of Congress adopt laws affecting local, national, and international affairs. Pitt County is in the 3rd Congressional District, represented by Republican Greg Murphy. You may vote for him or his opponent, Libertarian Gheorghe Cormos.

The N.C. General Assembly has 50 Senators and 120 Representatives serving 2 year terms. They adopt the state budget and laws affecting a wide range of topics. As in Congress, candidates have different views on how to represent the public interest on everything from abortion to tax fairness. See ncvoter.org/guide for more about the candidates in your District.

REPUBLICAN

• Assistant Public Defender in Pitt County.
• Would change policies that are “criminalizing poverty” (e.g., jail for fees/DMV license revocation) yet are “lenient toward dangerous criminals.”
• Would work “to fund and coordinate a unified effort to improve and maintain our waterways” in order to address chronic flooding in the region.

Website: electpaschall.com

DEMOCRAT

• Now in N.C. Senate; small business owner.
• Would work to increase the supply of affordable housing and expand Medicaid insurance coverage.
• Would address flooding and climate change, invest in green energy, and hold polluters accountable.
• Supports justice system reforms to address racial and economic disparities and also aid reentry.

Website: kandiesmith.com

REPUBLICAN

• Minister; degree in business management.
• Supports providing adequate resources for good teachers and quality public schools.
• Says crime & illegal immigration need attention.
• Wants to reduce the injustice experienced by  people “who don’t fit in.”

  Website: none

DEMOCRAT

• Now in N.C. House; former mayor of Bethel.
• Says: “Our teachers are the backbone of our society, and they should be compensated accordingly.”
• Favors “local, regional, and state collaboration” for economic development and job creation.
• Supports conservation and reducing waste to protect the planet.

  Website: Facebook.com/GloristineBrownNC

DEMOCRAT

• Leader of N.C. Chapter of Moms Demand Action, which promotes gun safety laws.
• Says: “Our Republican-controlled legislature is violating our constitution by not fully funding our public schools.”
• Will “fight to defend reproductive freedom.”
• Says affordable healthcare is a right; supports pro-viding more resources to address mental health and addiction problems.

Website: clairefornc.com

REPUBLICAN

• Now in N.C. House; physician.
• Supports protecting the Second Amendment by opposing gun ownership restrictions.
• Says: “Economic freedom is essential to human liberty and personal success.” Supports lowering taxes and decreasing regulations of companies.
• Supports funding to place more School Resource Officers and mental health professionals in schools.

Website: drtimreeder.com

The County Commission adopts the budget for schools & other agencies, and it oversees land use, affordable housing, conservation programs, the health department, recreation, and many other vital services.

This year, voters elect 3 of the 9 members on the Commission, depending on the District where you live. Visit ncvoter.org/guide for your District and profiles of the candidates on your ballot.

DEMOCRAT

This candidate is unopposed.

DEMOCRAT

• Retired professor at ECU.
• Wants “adequately resourced public schools [that] educate a broadly skilled workforce.”
• Would expand county support for housing and renting options and access to transit & recreation.

Website: bobforpittcounty.com

REPUBLICAN

• Culinary and event space business owner.
• Would sell downtown properties to private developers to stimulate commerce and growth.
• Supports more resources for law enforcement, community policing & crime prevention strategies.

Website: rochellebrown.net

DEMOCRAT

• Retired sheriff of Pitt County.
• Would use his experience with “budgeting, financial planning, personnel management, facilities maintenance, public infrastructure, and long-term planning” to serve the county.
• Wants an economy that benefits all citizens.
• Would “be a good steward of our tax dollars.”

Website: macmanning.com

REPUBLICAN

• Small business owner.
• Would prioritize support for law enforcement because its absence means “justice becomes an apparition without substance.”
• Wants to partner with local cities in a way that fosters economic development and attracts industry to Eastern N.C.

Website: electbillyparker.net

The 9-member Board of Education hires the School Superintendent and oversees finances, pupil placement, school policies, and curriculum choices. The members are elected by District on a nonpartisan basis. This year, voters living in Districts 1, 3, 4, 6, 8, and 9 will elect their Board of Education member. Find your District and the candidates on your ballot at ncvoter.org/guide.

• Retired educator; now a reading interventionist in elementary school. Appointed to serve as District 1 Board member in April 2024.
• Would advocate for “effective policies to im-prove and sustain quality education in Pitt Co.”
• Believes “excellence in education can be achieved by unlocking potential, empowering every student and building futures one student at a time.”

Web: facebook.com/mary.maultsby.92

• Hospitality Associate at ECU Medical Center.
• Would promote “competitive salaries for all school staff” and provide a supportive work environment that values educators’ contributions.
• Would prioritize “the importance of student mental health,” “comprehensive school safety measures,” and empowering students “in reaching their full potential.”

Website: facebook.com/p/Marvion-Wilcox-100006467660658

• Food truck owner.
• Emphasizes the importance of positive community support for children’s development.
• Wants mental health counseling that listens to students rather than “throws labels” on them.

Website: none

• Member of the Board of Education. Worked in law enforcement for 30+ years, now retired. Worked with Pitt Co. schools and sheriff on gang prevention and related training for school staff.
• Says he is concerned about school safety, racial inequality, school suspension practices, and construction of mobile classrooms.
• Wants to see the school system hire more Black men as teachers.

Website: none

• Construction foreman.
• Says he is “tired of books being allowed in our public schools but yet we were not allowed to talk in the same verbiage at the board meetings due to the vulgarity of the words we were using.”
• Says: “Bullies and disciplinary actions against those bullying are not being dealt with.”

Web: facebook.com/cteJRE

• Program manager at Impact Youth NC. Chair of the Pitt Co. Community Collaborative for Children, Youth, and Families.
• Says Board members should listen to, and be influenced by, families and students as they make decisions.
• Priorities: create a safe learning environment and encourage policies that “disrupt the school to prison” pipeline.

Website: desha4schoolboard.wixsite.com

• Member of the Board of Education. 30+ years experience in Pitt Co. schools, from teacher to principal to associate superintendent.
• Supports supplement pay for teachers and re- ducing their workload by “eliminating unnecessary paperwork/programs.”
• Wants to improve discipline in classrooms.

 Website: worthforbes.info

• Pitt County public school teacher for 13+ years.
• Recognizes diversity of families with children in Pitt Co. schools and the need to provide “equitable resources” and multiple ways to support student learning and parental involvement.
• Supports policies that will retain and reward teachers and “provide opportunities for growth.”

 Website: erinkesselpcs.weebly.com

This candidate is unopposed

• Member of the Board of Education. Owns   Benjie Forrest Farms; former teacher.
• Says student achievement should be evaluated not just based on test scores, but also on “student interest, career preparation, and drop-out rates.”
• Says “security in schools and buses should be periodically assessed and improved.”
• Supports partnerships with area colleges & institutions for vocational learning. “No program that excites students should be eliminated.”

Website: benjieforrest.com

• Faculty member at ECU; spouse of public school teacher; PTA board member at children’s school.
• Emphasizes student success but “we must acknowledge that success looks different for every student.” Supports technical education for skilled workers as well as college prep curriculum.
• Supports “going to families [with] information they need, rather than expecting families to” go to inconvenient places.
• Says teachers, counselors, and other staff deserve respect, better pay, and supportive resources to perform their jobs.

Website: jennifermatthewsforschoolboard.weebly.com

• Superior Court Judge, District 3, Seat 1:  Jeffery B. Foster (Republican), unopposed
• District Court Judge, District 3, Seat 3:  G. Galen Braddy (Democrat), unopposed
• District Court Judge, District 3, Seat 4:  Brian DeSoto (Republican), unopposed
• District Court Judge, District 3, Seat 5:  Wendy Smallwood Hazelton (Democrat), unopposed
• District Court Judge, District 3, Seat 6:  Mario E. Perez (Democrat), unopposed
• Pitt County Register of Deeds:  Lisa Nichols (Democrat), unopposed

The Governor appoints leaders of some agencies (e.g., health and commerce), but voters elect 8 officials to lead other departments, plus the Lt. Governor. Here are the major-party candidates for those positions.

Candidates are in order as they appear on the ballot 

*A third party candidate for this office is profiled at ncvoter.org/guide

The Lt. Governor presides over the N.C. Senate and sits on the N.C. Board of Education and other boards.

DEMOCRAT

• Supports investing in public school teachers rather than giving tax money to private academies.
• Emphasizes “standing with rural NC” for economic opportunity, broadband, and affordable housing.
• Supports access to abortion and healthcare.
• Promotes job training and housing for veterans.

Website: rachelhunt.com

REPUBLICAN

• Supports placing “armed school resource officers in each and every K-12 school.” Opposes gun control.
• Give companies tax breaks for apprenticeship jobs.
• For “Heartbeat” law to ban abortion after 6 weeks.
• Wants to integrate community college with universities to promote trades and practical skills.

Website: halweathermanfornc.com

The AG leads the Dept. of Justice, which protects consumers, defends state agencies, and advises local law enforcement.

DEMOCRAT

• Supports criminal justice reform: stop racial bias in sentencing, reduce incarceration for non-violent offenses, and improve reentry programs. Also supports public access to police camera videos.
• Supports gun control: require universal back-ground checks and enact “red flag” protective laws.
• Supports expanding voting rights, independent redistricting, and ending secret money in politics.

Website: jeffjacksonnc.com

REPUBLICAN

• Says: “Crime and lawlessness is out of control in our state and I believe restoring a culture of law and order is the most important job of the next AG.”
• Says he’s now “one of the toughest and most outspoken conservatives in Congress.” 
• Supports stronger measures to stop voter fraud and “ballot-box stuffing.” Opposes independent redistricting commission to draw impartial political districts. 

Website: votedanbishop.com

The Superintendent heads the Dept. of Public Instruction, which implements Board of Education policies and state law.

DEMOCRAT

• Experience: Led Guilford County School System.
• Top goals: “Prepare each student for their next phase in life.” “Enhance parent and community support” and a “safe, secure learning environment.”
• Supports more funds for pre-K schools, rural youth apprenticeships, and an 8.5% raise for teachers.
• Opposes “taxpayer-funded private school vouchers for the very wealthy.”

Website: mogreenfornc.com

REPUBLICAN

• Experience: Homeschool teacher and nurse.
• Supports an “independent audit of the public school system” and will challenge “indoctrination centers.”
• Believes school funding must be “fueled by a fiscally conservative, free-market, competitive environment.”
• Opposes teaching students about race and racism.
• Opposes COVID mandates; says “teachers unions forced school closures.”

Website: morrow4nc.com

The Secretary of State manages the registration of businesses, charities, and lobbyists and maintains N.C.’s official records.

DEMOCRAT

• Has served as N.C. Secretary of State since 1997.
• Says: “I’ve worked to cut red tape for entrepreneurs starting companies, prosecute criminals who masquerade as charities, and crack down on financial fraud.”
• Supports modernizing notary and other services.

Website: elainemarshall.com

REPUBLICAN

• Serves on the Gaston Co. Board of Commission- ers; was previously Town of Stanley mayor.
• Would “promote innovation and small business growth” and “protect consumers from fraud and identity theft.”

Website: electchadbrown.com

The Treasurer oversees state investments, local government borrowing, and the state employee health & retirement plans.

DEMOCRAT

• Plans to “protect our strong bond rating” and “expand our investment capacity” by moving more funds “sitting in cash” into higher-yield investments.
• Says: “The Treasurer’s office shouldn’t be a play-ground for partisan games.”

Website: harrisfornc.com

REPUBLICAN

• Top priority: ”Remedy the chronic underperformance of the Retirement System” caused by “an irrational love of risk-free fixed income investments.”
• Would give a “fiduciary board of professionals,” not just the Treasurer, authority for investment decisions.

Website: bradbriner.com

The State Auditor reviews the financial management of agencies and programs that receive public funds.

DEMOCRAT

• Current Auditor; former Wake Co. Commissioner.
• Says she is “committed to safeguarding taxpayer dollars as the NC Auditor, leveraging her expertise, integrity, and unwavering dedication to equitable policies for the betterment of N.C.”

Website: jessicafornc.com

REPUBLICAN

• Former prosecutor and UNC-CH Trustees Board chair.
• Says: “Led fight at UNC to eliminate woke diversity” and has “expertise to root out government corruption.”
• Would expose waste in government, “scrub voter rolls,” and examine efficiencies at DMV and schools.

Website: auditordave.com

The Commissioner leads the Labor Department, which inspects workplaces and enforces laws about worker health & safety.

REPUBLICAN

• Says: “Will fight for free enterprise, fair competition, and cutting government red tape.”
• Will protect workers who refuse orders to receive a COVID vaccine; opposes new heat stress regulations.
• Supports “accountability by keeping the commissioner’s picture on elevator certificates.”

Website: lukefarleync.com

DEMOCRAT

• Says: “CNBC ranked NC as #1 state to do business [but] Oxfam ranked NC as worst state to be a worker. This is unacceptable. Our workers deserve better.”
• Will ensure workers “work in a safe environment.”
• Will be a “whole worker” advocate for fair pay, job rights, training, and affordable health care & housing.

Website: votebraxton.com

The Commissioner leads the Dept. of Agriculture, which has the double role of promoting farm products and food safety.

DEMOCRAT

• Current farm and food systems manager.
• Says Ag Dept. should promote high-value crops, like berries, fruits, hemp, etc.; canneries; farms in Appalachia; processing facilities for nuts.
• Supports innovating financing for farmers, co-ops, and profit-sharing models to boost rural jobs.

Website: taberfornc.com

REPUBLICAN

• Served as Commissioner of Agriculture since 2005.
• Has focused on “developing new markets for N.C. farm products, preserving working farms and protecting the state’s food supply.”
• Promotes meat production and the “Got To Be NC” ag marketing programs, which he says are successful.

Website: stevetroxler.com

The Commissioner regulates insurance rates & practices, licenses building inspectors, and trains firefighters & rescue squads.

DEMOCRAT

• Current state Senator and attorney.
• Says: “My mission has always been to stand up against corruption, corporate greed, and bad government.”
• Would “force insurance companies to justify their rates at public hearings,” which doesn’t happen now.

Website: natashamarcus.com

REPUBLICAN

• Served as Insurance Commissioner since 2017.
• Would abolish Rate Bureau role in setting insurance rates because it “kills free enterprise.”
• Has added fraud inspectors, added consumer services, and cleared backlog of fire dept. inspections.

Website: mikecauseync.com

Court of Appeals judges hear appeals of criminal and civil cases from local courts; 3 of the Court’s 15 seats are open in 2024.

REPUBLICAN

Attorney and former state legislator, prosecutor, and judge advocate in the Army National Guard.

Website: jointom.com

DEMOCRAT

Current Court of Appeals judge; former Superior Court judge and attorney in private practice.

Website: judgecarolynthompson.com

DEMOCRAT

Attorney with over a decade of experience in trial and appellate  court litigation.

Website: eldredforjudge.com

REPUBLICAN

Current Court of Appeals judge; previously practiced law for 26 years in family firm.

Website: reelectjudgezachary.com

REPUBLICAN

Current District Court judge in Rockingham and Caswell counties and former district attorney.

Website: chrisfreemanforjudge.com

DEMOCRAT

Buncombe Co. Commissioner with mediation and appellate law practice; former public defender.

Website: martinforjudge.com