A lifelong resident of Harnett County, I have always called Coats home. While I had many opportunities to leave and build a life elsewhere, my strong sense of community and commitment to service inspired me to remain here and serve.

Harnett County Board of Education - Members

I hold a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Campbell University and will begin pursuing my MBA at Campbell in the fall of 2025.

Public education is deeply rooted in my family—my father was a career educator in Harnett County, and my wife is also an educator in the district. Together, we are raising three children—Audrey (14), Braelyn (11), and Callen (5)—all of whom attend Harnett County Schools.

Brad Abate is a lifelong resident of Harnett County and lives in Coats. He holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Campbell University. He and his wife are raising three children.

Regular Board Meeting - Jan 13 2025 - Agenda - Html

About: I currently serve as the Director of the Harnett Regional Jetport and as a part-time Deputy Sheriff with the Harnett County Sheriff’s Office, where I hold both an Advanced Law Enforcement Certification and a General Instructor Certification. Prior to leading the Jetport, I served full-time with the Sheriff’s Office in a variety of capacities, including patrol deputy, school resource officer, criminal investigator, narcotics investigator, and ATF Violent Crimes Task Force Officer.

Brad Abate currently serves as director of the Harnett Regional Jetport and as a part-time deputy sheriff with the Harnett County Sheriff’s Office. He previously served full-time with the Sheriff’s Office as a patrol deputy, school resource officer, criminal investigator, narcotics investigator, and Violent Crimes Task Force officer.

As a member of the Harnett County Board of Education, I have made it a priority to ensure the voices of the community are heard. I actively engage with parents, students, and community members to bring their concerns directly to the board and district leadership.

Brad serves as a member of the Harnett County Board of Education.

2026 North Carolina General Election

As of January 5, 2026, Brad Abate did not have a website or any information online.

School Facilities & Resources

Access to Education

Voted to approve a Harnett County Board of Education letter to the Legislature regarding teacher pay.

Subject H. Review and Consider approval of letter to Legislature from Harnett County Board of Education regarding Teacher Pay
Meeting Jan 13, 2025 - Regular Board Meeting
Category 13. ACTION ITEMS
Type Action
Recommended Action Motion to approve letter to Legislature from Harnett County Board of Education regarding Teacher Pay as presented

Motion & Voting
Motion to approve letter to Legislature from Harnett County Board of Education regarding Teacher Pay as presented

Motion by Don R Godfrey, second by John E Hairr.
Final Resolution: Motion Carried
Yea: Don R Godfrey, Joseph W Powell, Sharon M Gainey, Bradley J Abate, John E Hairr

Teachers

School Curriculum

"This weapon detection technology is something the Harnett County School System has been researching since the beginning of the year and the last two and a half weeks with the discovery of two firearms within Harnett County Schools has made the need very evident," said School Board member Brad Abate who represents District 3. ABC11 spoke to national school safety expert Ken Trump who said metal detectors aren't the answer to the growing number of guns found on school campuses.

Harnett County School Board talk installing weapons detection system

Said weapons-detection technology is needed in Harnett County Schools after two firearms were discovered.

- Said weapons-detection technology is needed in Harnett County Schools after two firearms were discovered.

Student Wellbeing

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Brad Abate

As of January 5, 2026, Brad Abate’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Board Members

Brad Abate is a lifelong resident of Harnett County and lives in Coats. He earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Campbell University. He lives in Coats with his wife and their three children.

About: I currently serve as the Director of the Harnett Regional Jetport and as a part-time Deputy Sheriff with the Harnett County Sheriff’s Office, where I hold both an Advanced Law Enforcement Certification and a General Instructor Certification.

Prior to leading the Jetport, I served full-time with the Sheriff’s Office in a variety of capacities, including patrol deputy, school resource officer, criminal investigator, narcotics investigator, and ATF Violent Crimes Task Force Officer. In addition to my law enforcement and aviation leadership roles, I serve as Treasurer on the Coats-Grove Fire & Rescue Board of Directors and have contributed to numerous community boards and committees, including the Harnett County Schools Redistricting Committee.

Brad Abate currently serves as director of the Harnett Regional Jetport and as a part-time deputy sheriff with the Harnett County Sheriff’s Office. He previously served full-time with the Sheriff’s Office as a patrol deputy, school resource officer, criminal investigator, and narcotics investigator.

BOARD OF EDUCATION

Brad Abate (R) - District 3
PO Box 477
Coats, NC 27521
910-514-3258
babate@harnett.k12.nc.us

4 years	2026

Elected Officials | Harnett County Elections

Brad serves on the Harnett County Board of Education representing District 3.

Board of Elections Current Elected Officials

Said recent firearm discoveries made the need for weapons-detection technology in Harnett County Schools evident.

Brad Abate is from Coats, North Carolina. He attended Campbell University. He has a bachelor's degree in business administration from Campbell University. He lives with his wife and their three children in Coats.

Brad is the Director of the Harnett Regional Jetport. He also works as a part-time Deputy Sheriff with the Harnett County Sheriff’s Office. He previously worked as a patrol deputy, school resource officer, criminal investigator, narcotics investigator, and ATF Violent Crimes Task Force Officer at the Harnett County Sheriff’s Office.

Brad Abate is currently Vice-Chairman of the Harnett County Board of Education representing District 3. He was elected in 2022 and is serving his first term.

Harnett County Schools, North Carolina, elections - Ballotpedia

Visit Harnett County Schools

For Candidate Brad Abate on Issue school-services-resources: Advocates for supporting teachers and staff, fostering collaboration among schools, families, and administration, and ensuring safe and secure school environments for student success.

Isaac Brickman

Buket Urgen

- The Board of Education runs the public school system. They create policies that establish standards, accountability and evaluation of essential operations of the school system.
- The Board of Education member hires a superintendent and can remove them when necessary. The superintendent assists the Board of Education in implementing the board’s policies. 
- The Board of Education is charged with deciding the school budget. This means they decide how to allocate money between different services, such as teacher pay, repairing school facilities, or access to technology.
- Board of Education members are elected every four years. 

Member of the board that governs your county's public school system