Thank you for taking the time to read my newsletter and staying connected with the latest news from District Nine and our efforts in the General Assembly.
All in Politics
Thank you for taking the time to read my newsletter and staying connected with the latest news from District Nine and our efforts in the General Assembly.
I hope this message finds you and your family doing well. It’s been a full month here in Raleigh and throughout Lenoir, Greene, and Jones counties — and I’m grateful for every opportunity to stay connected with folks across our district. From honoring our veterans to celebrating new investments in public safety, jobs, and education, there’s a lot of good happening in Eastern North Carolina.
Kinston, N.C. – Today, Representative Chris Humphrey announced his campaign for re-election to the North Carolina House of Representatives, seeking a fifth term serving the people of House District 12, which includes Lenoir, Greene, and Jones counties. Representative Humphrey, a lifelong resident of Eastern North Carolina, reaffirmed his commitment to the region:
RALEIGH, N.C. — The North Carolina Chamber named Representative Chris Humphrey (R – Lenoir, Greene, Jones) a ‘Jobs Champion’ in its 2025 How They Voted report. This annual report details state legislators’ voting records on bills identified as critical to preserving and enhancing North Carolina’s position as the #1 state in the U.S. for business. Representative Humphrey was recognized as a Jobs Champion for voting with the Chamber’s Jobs Agenda 90% of the time during the 2025 legislative session.
NEW BERN, N.C. — Today, North Carolina Senator Bob Brinson formally announced his campaign for re-election to the State Senate, pledging to continue championing strong communities, responsible governance, and the values of Beaufort, Craven, and Lenoir counties.
Former Kinston City Council candidate Quarla Blackwell filed her third election protest this week, prompting a preliminary consideration meeting Thursday by the Lenoir County Board of Elections. The board unanimously voted to deny the new protest, concluding there was not enough evidence to advance it to a full hearing.
The Kinston City Council heard wide-ranging public concerns Tuesday night during its Nov. 18 meeting, which included discussions on property taxes, policing, abandoned structures, stormwater issues and frustrations about the city’s public comment process.
Quarla Blackwell has filed a new election protest. The Lenoir County Board of Elections announced that a Preliminary Consideration Meeting will be held Thursday, November 20 at 5 p.m. to review her filing. A copy of the protest is attached.
This meeting is in addition to the Protest Hearing scheduled for Monday, November 24 at 5:30 p.m. for the election protests filed against Kareem Moore and Les Lipford. Both meetings will be held at the Lenoir County Board of Elections office.
The Snow Hill Board of Commissioners held its regular meeting on Monday, November 10, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. The board approved the agenda and consent agenda, adding a budget amendment to close out a parks grant.
The Lenoir County Board of Elections is facing a growing list of challenges stemming from the November municipal election. Former city council candidate Quarla Blackwell filed a new protest alleging widespread irregularities, residency issues involving multiple candidates, and violations by poll workers and campaign personnel.
UPDATE:
The Lenoir County Board of Elections voted unanimously today to dismiss the election protest filed against Les Lipford, who had been elected to the Kinston City Council. The protest will not move forward to a full evidentiary hearing.
UPDATE:
The Lenoir County Board of Elections will hold a Preliminary Consideration Meeting Wednesday, November 12th at 5:30pm for the Election Protest filed against Les Lipford.
Sean Keenan has withdrawn his protest challenging the candidacy of Quarla Blackwell and has filed a new protest contesting the election of Kinston City Council elect Les Lipford.
When I took office in December 2022, Lenoir County was facing real challenges: rising gun violence, growing drug activity, and neighborhoods worn down by years of unchecked criminal hotspots. I didn’t walk into this job with slogans, I walked in with a 30-year law enforcement career, a plan, and a promise to the people of this county, we will take our communities back.
The Lenoir County Board of Commissioners will hold a public hearing Monday, Nov. 17, at 4 p.m. to consider awarding an economic development incentive to a company identified as Project Ready Pad.
The Lenoir County Board of Education met Monday evening for its regular monthly meeting, held at the district office on West Vernon Avenue. The board approved its meeting agenda and minutes from the previous session and moved through recognitions, program updates, and several action items.
Tension filled the Kinston City Council chambers Monday night as residents once again urged city leaders to reduce the property tax rate before year’s end, calling the 73-cent rate approved in June an “unfair burden” that has pushed some homeowners to the brink.
Thank you for taking the time to read my most recent updates from Eastern North Carolina and Washington, D.C. As always, it remains a true honor and a privilege to represent you in Congress! If this email was forwarded to you, you can subscribe to my e-newsletter.