John earned his bachelor's degree in electrical engineering from North Carolina State University. He lives in Swansboro with his wife, Jennifer. They have 3 children. John attends Eastview Baptist Church and also serves on the advisory board for Hope is Alive, a national residential addiction recovery organization.

Swansboro, John Davis

John previously worked as an electrical engineer and program manager.

North Carolina State Board of Elections, 11/07/2017 OFFICIAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION RESULTS - ONSLOW

John Davis currently serves as mayor of Swansboro. He was first elected in 2017 and is currently serving his second term.

Wants to increase access to services for mental health and addiction recovery.

- Wants to enhance services for veterans.
- Wants to increase access to services for mental health and addiction recovery.

Public Services

Candidate website

Supports decreasing county taxes and improving regional economic development.

Supports promoting economic development and job creation.

- Supports decreasing county taxes.
- Supports promoting economic development and job creation.

Economy

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

Education

Believes in prioritizing emergency response capability.

Plans to prioritize "emergency response times for outlying areas."

- Plans to prioritize "emergency response times for outlying areas."

Public Safety

Housing & Urban Development

Transportation & Infrastructure

Facebook

John Davis

Onslow County, Paul Buchanan

LinkedIn

Paul is from Newark, New Jersey. He holds a bachelor's degree in criminal justice from North Carolina Wesleyan University. Paul currently lives in Onslow County with his wife, June, with whom he has three daughters and eight grandchildren.  

Paul currently serves as the Director of Law Enforcement Training at Coastal Carolina Community College. He previously served as a supervisor for the Special Operations and the Evidence Divisions, and as a Commander for the SWAT Team and the Department Training Division at the Jacksonville Police Department. He also worked for the Onslow County Sheriff's Department, and served in the U.S. Marines. 

Paul Buchanan currently serves as an Onslow County Commissioner. He was elected to this position in 2005, and is serving his fifth term.  

Candidate profile: Paul Buchanan

Said during his 2020 campaign that transparency will remain a priority when serving county citizens.

Said, "Excellent customer service from Onslow County employees are a priority and required when serving the citizens."

- Said during his 2020 campaign that transparency will remain a priority when serving county citizens.
- Said, "Excellent customer service from Onslow County employees are a priority and required when serving the citizens."

Plans to advocate and support local fishing and tourism by working with MCBCL, Senators, and Congressmen.

Believes taxes are a major issue, and wants to install initiatives that aim to avoid increasing taxes such as the "quarter-cent sales tax which has helped the county with roll-back to the citizens"

- Plans to advocate and support local fishing and tourism by working with MCBCL, Senators, and Congressmen.
- Believes taxes are a major issue, and wants to install initiatives that aim to avoid increasing taxes such as the "quarter-cent sales tax which has helped the county with roll-back to the citizens"

Believes in "the excellence in education, fiscal sustainability and in creating a more consistent long-range budget plan. "

- Believes in "the excellence in education, fiscal sustainability and in creating a more consistent long-range budget plan. "

As of June 14, 2024, Paul Buchanan did not have a website or any information online.

Said during his 2020 campaign, the primary challenge in generating economic growth county wide is the "infrastructure, and specifically interstate highways and rails."

Oversaw the completion of several county projects, including "a new terminal and tower at Albert J. Ellis Airport..., the Onslow County Public Safety Memorial, Montford Point Marine Memorial, [and] the Vietnam Memorial..."

- Said during his 2020 campaign, the primary challenge in generating economic growth county wide is the "infrastructure, and specifically interstate highways and rails."
- Oversaw the completion of several county projects, including "a new terminal and tower at Albert J. Ellis Airport..., the Onslow County Public Safety Memorial, Montford Point Marine Memorial, [and] the Vietnam Memorial..."

Paul Buchanan

Onslow County, Robin Knapp

Robin holds a bachelor's degree in international affairs from Florida State University. He lives in Jacksonville with his wife, Kelli, their two children, and two stepchildren. He previously served as a coach for local youth programs and as a volunteer assistant coach for the Jacksonville High School baseball team. 

Candidate profile: Robin L. Knapp

Robin previously worked as a Supervisory Special Agent with the U.S. Naval Criminal Investigative Service. He also served as First Lieutenant for the U.S. Air Force. 

NORTH CAROLINA STATE BOARD OF ELECTIONS

Robin L. Knapp currently serves as an Onslow County Commissioner. He was elected to this position in 2016, and is serving his second term. 

Plans to "focus on Emergency Medical Services and Firefighters."

Supports upholding transparency for all citizens.

As County Commissioner, developed a segment on a local radio station, Commissioner’s Corner, where citizens can call in, and ask questions about current county issues.

- Plans to "focus on Emergency Medical Services and Firefighters."
- Supports upholding transparency for all citizens.
- As County Commissioner, developed a segment on a local radio station, Commissioner’s Corner, where citizens can call in, and ask questions about current county issues.

Wants to install a merit pay system for county employees.

As County Commissioner, voted against increasing property taxes, and promises not to vote for raising property taxes.

- Wants to reduce taxes.
- Wants to install a merit pay system for county employees.
- As County Commissioner, voted against increasing property taxes, and promises not to vote for raising property taxes.

As of June 14, 2024, Robin L. Knapp did not have a website or any information online.

Plans to continue increasing funding and grants for programs aiming to address Mental Health and Substance Abuse prevention.

- Plans to continue increasing funding and grants for programs aiming to address Mental Health and Substance Abuse prevention.

Robin L. Knapp

Tony is a lifelong resident of Onslow County. He is a father and a grandfather.

Tony has previously worked as the head of Onslow County's Vehicle Maintenance and Environmental Services Division. 

The Daily News, Former board chair, two incumbents, Swansboro mayor victorious in Onslow commissioner primary

Tony Padgett previously served 2 terms as Onslow County Commissioner from 1992 to 2000. He was also chairman of the board for 4 years.

Believes in involving the public and being transparent in local county governance. Supports creating a citizen study group to help residents understand the county budget and government operations.

Supports creating a citizen study group to help residents understand the county operations and allow for transparent communication.

- Supports creating a citizen study group to help residents understand the county operations and allow for transparent communication.

Supports collaborating with officials to create job opportunities, attract new businesses, and connect education with local economic needs.

Plans to collaborate with other elected officials to create job opportunities and attract new businesses.

- Plans to collaborate with other elected officials to create job opportunities and attract new businesses.

Believes in ensuring school safety and providing diverse learning, job training, and mentorship programs to support all young people. Aims to create an inclusive community where everyone receives the support needed to succeed.

Wants to ensure school safety and provide diverse learning, job training, and mentorship programs to support all young people. 

Said, "It's essential to connect education with what our local economy needs. We want high school graduates to have chances to work and help our county's economy grow."

- Wants to ensure school safety and provide diverse learning, job training, and mentorship programs to support all young people. 
- Said, "It's essential to connect education with what our local economy needs. We want high school graduates to have chances to work and help our county's economy grow."

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

Supports developing affordable housing to improve quality of life and address homelessness, believing it creates a safer and stronger community.

Believes in managing county finances wisely to keep property taxes low while ensuring essential services are funded. Plans to prioritize spending to balance financial stability and community needs.

Plans on managing county finances wisely to keep property taxes low while ensuring essential services are funded. 

The candidate's website says, "Balancing progress and preservation is crucial for Onslow County's prosperity. While growth is positive, unchecked expansion can challenge unprepared communities. The county must commit to supporting growth without compromising its agricultural heritage and strong neighborhoods. To ensure responsible growth, allocate new taxes strategically to address challenges like reinforcing essential services, safeguarding the environment, and ensuring quality education. This proactive approach preserves the county's character, fosters resilient communities, and aligns with residents' needs, making progress beneficial for all."

Wants Onslow to grow responsibly by maintaining balance between development and preservation.

- Supports developing affordable housing to improve quality of life and address homelessness, believing it creates a safer and stronger community.
- Plans on managing county finances wisely to keep property taxes low while ensuring essential services are funded. 
- Wants Onslow to grow responsibly by maintaining balance between development and preservation.

Tony Padgett

As of July 11, 2024, Velvet T. Scoggin’s website did not contain information on this issue.

As of June 14, 2024, Velvet T. Scoggin’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Believes in advocating for jobs to sustain family welfare.

Plans on advocating for jobs to sustain family welfare.

- Plans on advocating for jobs to sustain family welfare.

Believes in "growing investment in our youth, safety, and education."

- Believes in "growing investment in our youth, safety, and education."

Instagram

Velvet T. Scoggin

- County Commissioners create and pass laws at the county-level. These laws show up in very tangible ways, such as determining how much you pay property and sales tax rates, public transportation, and maintaining infrastructure.
- County Commissioners are responsible for preparing and passing the county budget. The budget determines how much funding goes to various public services, such as public transportation, law enforcement, repairing roads, and maintaining infrastructure.
- County Commissioners oversee the administrative duties of your county’s government to ensure the safety, comfort, and well-being of county residents.
- County Commissioners can create, change, or abolish offices, positions, departments that are not required by law. 
- County Commissioners are elected to 4-year terms, with no term limits. Typically, you only vote for the County Commissioner that represents your county commission district.

Onslow County Commissioner

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Onslow County Commissioner

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