Kareem Moore: Veteran and Community Advocate Running for Mayor of Kinston with Focus on Jobs, Homeownership, and Accountability
Kareem Moore, a U.S. Army combat veteran and advocate for veterans’ affairs, has announced his candidacy for Mayor of Kinston, pledging to restore accountability, rebuilding trust in local government, and strengthening the city’s economic foundation through homeownership, job creation, and transparency.
Moore, who served in the 82nd Airborne Division, is a barber and nurse by trade. His campaign, he says, is built on discipline, integrity, and public service. “Leadership is not about titles or power — it’s about maintaining the public’s trust,” Moore said. “That trust has been broken, and it’s time to restore it.”
Expanding Voter Access and Representation
Moore supports moving Kinston’s municipal elections to even-numbered years, a change he says would make elections more representative.
“To promote elections that are representative of a larger percentage of our voting population, we should align municipal elections with federal election years,” Moore said. “It saves taxpayer money and increases participation — giving residents a stronger voice in who governs them.”
Top Priorities: Taxes, Jobs, and Crime
Moore outlined a comprehensive plan addressing what he calls Kinston’s “three most pressing issues”: high taxes, limited job growth, and crime.
Taxes
Moore said Kinston’s recent 38% property tax increase has disproportionately impacted working families. “Nearly 58% of residents rent instead of own, which limits the city’s ability to grow its tax base,” he said. “My plan is to expand that base without raising rates — by converting renters to homeowners and attracting new businesses.”
He said he is already working with a consortium of lenders, builders, and nonprofit developers to help residents qualify for homeownership and generate new property tax revenue through growth rather than higher taxes.
In partnership with Giving Works, Inc., Moore said he plans to provide every Kinston household with a free digital resource, The Giving Works Guide to Building Wealth and Wisdom, which will include financial education tools to help residents buy homes and build generational wealth.
Jobs
Moore said good jobs are “the backbone of a safe and thriving city.” If elected, he plans to establish a Mayor’s Economic Focus Group to develop strategies for recruiting businesses aligned with Kinston’s workforce and infrastructure.
“Kinston has the infrastructure, workforce, and potential to be a serious player in the new American manufacturing and logistics economy — but we need leadership with a plan,” Moore said.
His approach includes leveraging federal incentives that encourage companies to relocate domestic operations from overseas, citing Apple’s $600 billion domestic expansion as an example. “We’ll actively pursue partnerships with companies like Apple and Nike to bring jobs to the Global TransPark and surrounding areas,” he said.
Moore also emphasized the importance of business credibility and efficiency. “Businesses invest where leadership is stable, finances are transparent, and permitting is efficient,” he said. “I’ll make Kinston business-ready, people-ready, and leadership-ready.”
Crime
Moore said public safety cannot be solved by law enforcement alone. “Public safety begins with strong families, stable jobs, and engaged neighborhoods,” he said. “Many crimes stem from economic and social instability.”
His crime prevention plan includes expanding youth engagement and job readiness programs, building trust through police transparency, and supporting officers who demonstrate accountability and compassion.
“By addressing the root causes — poverty, unemployment, and hopelessness — we can make Kinston not only safer but stronger,” Moore said.
Transparency and Accountability
Moore said one of his central goals as mayor will be restoring the public’s faith in city government through open access to financial and decision-making processes.
“Many in our city leadership are simply not qualified to lead,” Moore said. “That lack of credibility and mismanagement has broken the public’s trust. I will restore transparency by opening the books and ensuring city spending, contracting, and decision-making are fully visible to the public.”
He plans to launch a “Transparent Kinston” initiative, which would include a public-facing online dashboard detailing city expenditures, contracts, and capital projects.
“Integrity and accountability must be daily practices, not campaign slogans,” Moore said. “Kinston deserves leadership that’s honest, competent, and accountable — leadership that respects both the taxpayers’ money and their intelligence.”
Improving Communication and Citizen Trust
Moore said his administration would hold monthly town halls in every district to ensure accessibility. “City leadership should go to the people — in churches, schools, and community centers — to listen, not lecture,” he said.
He also plans to create a Citizen Advisory Council composed of residents who would meet regularly with city department heads to provide feedback and ensure that city policies reflect community needs.
“Trust isn’t rebuilt through speeches — it’s earned through consistent integrity, accessibility, and follow-through,” Moore said. “Every promise made to the people of Kinston will be tracked and revisited publicly.”
Housing, Infrastructure, and Downtown Revitalization
Moore said the city must take a proactive role in addressing housing, infrastructure, and downtown growth — three issues he described as “the pillars of economic stability and community pride.”
Affordable Housing: Moore wants to transition more residents from renting to homeownership by using city leverage — such as zoning and incentives — to support affordable starter homes.
Roads and Infrastructure: He pledged to prioritize data-driven infrastructure repair and pursue federal and state funding to address long-overdue maintenance.
Downtown Revitalization: Moore’s plan calls for stronger partnerships between the city and local entrepreneurs. “Downtown should be our city’s front porch,” he said. “We’ll support restaurants, retail, and small businesses that bring new life while preserving Kinston’s character.”
A Vision for Kinston’s Future
Moore summarized his campaign priorities as building wealth, creating opportunity, and restoring peace.
“When we invest in our people, we invest in Kinston’s future,” he said. “We can make Kinston a place where families feel secure, businesses can thrive, and every resident — no matter their background — has a stake in our success.”
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