All in Politics
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Sean Keenan has withdrawn his protest challenging the candidacy of Quarla Blackwell and has filed a new protest contesting the election of Kinston City Council elect Les Lipford.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.
When the systems meant to protect us fail, where do we go? When those in power choose silence over service, who steps in? For the residents of Roland Paylor Apartments — a senior community in Kinston — the answer was painfully clear: no one in authority was listening. Not the housing authority. Not city officials. Not the mayor.
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.
With municipal elections set for Tuesday, Nov. 4, Neuse News Managing Editor Kristy Kelly and Magic Mile Media President BJ Murphy sat down to reflect on a year of unexpected filings, budget debates, and public controversy that helped shape local races across Lenoir and Greene counties.
The newly approved congressional map for North Carolina is reshaping political boundaries across the East, setting up a round of high-stakes decisions for incumbents and challengers in the 2026 election.
Washington, D.C. — Congressman Greg Murphy, M.D., issued the following statement after Senate Democrats’ 13th vote against the clean, continuing resolution to fund the government:
As my family prepares to move just outside of La Grange, I realize this election season marks the last time we’ll vote in a City of Kinston mayoral race. That simple fact carries some weight. For me, it’s more than a change of address. It’s a moment to pause and reflect on what’s happening to the city I still love. So, here’s some real talk.
