Ballotpedia, John Hinnant

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John was born and raised in New Hanover County and graduated from Laney High School. He holds a bachelor's degree in history from Lees-McRae College. John is married to his wife, Jamie, with whom he has 2 children. Their family resides in Wilmington. 

John owns Hinnant Real Estate, where he works as a real estate appraiser. He also works as a real estate broker for Maus Warwick Mathews & Company and is the vice president of Eastern Carolinas Commercial Real Estate. He is a former president and CEO of Wilmington Downtown Inc. John serves as chairperson of the New Hanover County Parks & Gardens Advisory Committee.

John Hinnant ran for state representative in State House District 18 in 2022, but he did not win. 

As of June 14, 2024, John Hinnant’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Public Services

Candidate website

Believes in building a resilient local economy by supporting small businesses, which employ half of all private sector workers and generate 44% of economic activity. Said, "It takes elected officials who have signed the front of a paycheck to understand the impact public policies have on job creators."

Wants to build a resilient local economy by supporting small businesses.

Believes in reducing "reckless spending on duplicative services" and opposes tax increases. Supports holding the line on the budget to prevent significant insurance rate hikes.

Opposes tax increases and wants to address "reckless spending on duplicative services...".

Believes government overreach harms small businesses and that only business owners can ensure safe operations. Supports the idea that "the market will determine how safe doing commerce is."

Believes heavy government involvement harms small businesses.

Believes the county budget must grow to meet mandated expenses but supports cutting spending to avoid relying on hospital sale proceeds.

Believes the county budget must grow to meet mandatory expenses. 

Opposes raising taxes, believing it harms homeowners and renters, making the area less desirable for living and working.

Wants to reduce government spending to avoid relying on hospital sale proceeds to fund the county's budget and programs.

- Wants to build a resilient local economy by supporting small businesses.
- Opposes tax increases and wants to address "reckless spending on duplicative services...".
- Believes heavy government involvement harms small businesses.
- Believes the county budget must grow to meet mandatory expenses. 
- Opposes raising taxes.
- Wants to reduce government spending to avoid relying on hospital sale proceeds to fund the county's budget and programs.

Economy

Plans to address overcrowding in public schools and believes leadership is urgently needed to solve this issue.

Plans to address overcrowding in public schools.

- Plans to address overcrowding in public schools.

Education

Believes the Sheriff's Department and Fire Fighters are "understaffed and underfunded" and that the current overtime pay allocation is "irresponsible." Supports adequate funding for first responders to improve their quality of life.

Believes the Sheriff's Department and Fire Fighters are understaffed and underfunded and that the current overtime salaries to accommodate reduced staff are "irresponsible." 

Believes the "white glove approach" to violent crime is ineffective and supports providing law enforcement with necessary resources.

Supports providing law enforcement with sufficient resources to address crime. 

- Believes the Sheriff's Department and Fire Fighters are understaffed and underfunded and that the current overtime salaries to accommodate reduced staff are "irresponsible." 
- Supports providing law enforcement with sufficient resources to address crime. 

Public Safety

Believes addressing workforce housing needs is crucial to help essential workers afford to live where they work and reduce traffic congestion. Said, "I am the only candidate in the race who has been a part of bringing new workforce housing units to the market."

Wants to address workforce housing to help essential workers with their living expenses. 

- Wants to address workforce housing to help essential workers with their living expenses. 

Housing & Urban Development

Believes in "reducing crime" and ensuring "safe drinking water."

Wants to ensure safe drinking water is provided.

- Wants to ensure safe drinking water is provided.

Transportation & Infrastructure

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John Hinnant

Supports enhancing public services, including moving the NC Azalea Festival street fair and expanding the Downtown Sundown Concert Series. As a leader, facilitated renovations to the Hugh Morton Amphitheater.

Believes building community is essential for the future and encourages neighborhood events to foster connections.

Supports dynamic economic development and reduced spending.

The candidate's website says, "John built, owned, and operated the Underground Sandwich Shoppe in downtown. Given his passion for his community, he was a leader with the Downtown Business Alliance, and served in multiple leadership roles with Wilmington Downtown, Inc (“WDI”)."

Believes the New Hanover County Schools system should aim for national recognition for excellence. Supports collaboration between the School Board and the New Hanover County Board of Commissioners to achieve this goal.

Believes New Hanover County's local government has lost taxpayer confidence due to "questionable programs" and lack of focus on priorities. Said, "Elected officials and staff need to be held accountable."

Believes "common sense questions" are not being asked about growth and development in New Hanover County.

Believes zoning changes can impact local businesses and lead to public concern about their future.

Wants to ensure safe drinking water is provided, 

- Wants to ensure safe drinking water is provided, 

John was born and raised in New Hanover County and graduated from Laney High School. He earned a bachelors degree in History from Lees-McRae College. John and his wife Jamie have two children and reside in Wilmington. John serves as Chair of the New Hanover County Parks & Gardens Advisory Committee.

John is the vice president of Eastern Carolinas Commercial Real Estate, a real estate broker for Maus Warwick Mathews & Company, and the owner and certified residential real estate appraiser of Hinnant Real Estate. Previously, he was the president & CEO of Wilmington Downtown Inc. and owned the Underground Sandwich Shoppe. 

John Hinnant's campaign for New Hanover County Commissioner is his first entry into politics. 

Believes in building a resilient local economy by supporting small businesses.

Believes in reducing "reckless spending on duplicative services" and opposes tax increases.

Believes government overreach harms small businesses.

- Believes in building a resilient local economy by supporting small businesses.
- Believes in reducing "reckless spending on duplicative services" and opposes tax increases.
- Believes government overreach harms small businesses.
- Believes the county budget must grow to meet mandated expenses but supports cutting spending to avoid relying on hospital sale proceeds.
- Opposes raising taxes.

Believes the Sheriff's Department and Fire Fighters are understaffed and underfunded and that the current overtime pay allocation is "irresponsible." 

Supports providing law enforcement with necessary resources to address violent crime. 

- Believes the Sheriff's Department and Fire Fighters are understaffed and underfunded and that the current overtime pay allocation is "irresponsible." 
- Supports providing law enforcement with necessary resources to address violent crime. 

Believes addressing workforce housing needs is crucial to help essential workers afford to live where they work and reduce traffic congestion.

- Believes addressing workforce housing needs is crucial to help essential workers afford to live where they work and reduce traffic congestion.

John Hinnant was born and raised in New Hanover County and graduated from Laney High School in 1989. He earned a Bachelor of Science in History from Lees-McRae College, where he also played soccer. John is married to Jamie, with whom he has two children, Connor and Ava, and resides in Wilmington, where he enjoys spending time with his family, including his dog Bubs and two cats, Ozzy and Prince.

John Hinnant has a history of involvement in real estate, initially starting his career as an appraiser before becoming the President/CEO of Wilmington Downtown, Inc. (WDI) in 2007, a role he held for six years. During his tenure at WDI, he played a key role in the economic development of Wilmington's Central Business District, assisting over 50 companies and supporting the creation of over 500 jobs. Prior to his real estate career, he owned and sold a restaurant.

John Hinnant serves as Chair of the New Hanover County Parks & Gardens Advisory Committee. Details regarding the length of time he has held this position, any past political offices he may have run for, or other political appointments are not provided in the information given.

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