A generational farmer with deep roots in Johnston County, Luke brings hands-on experience from leading grassroots field operations across more than 25 states. He understands that the best solutions come from listening to the people who work the land every day.

Luke Smith for NC

Luke Smith has experience leading grassroots field operations across more than 25 states.

Luke Smith has experience with grassroots political field operations across more than 25 states.

Luke Smith (Johnston County Soil and Water Conservation District ...

Luke is a first-time candidate for political office.

2026 North Carolina General Election

3.
HEALTHY SOIL THROUGH INNOVATION

Healthy soil is the foundation of healthy communities. I support implementing proven conservation and regenerative farming practices that increase organic matter, improve water retention, reduce erosion, and naturally enrich our soil. By encouraging new technologies, beneficial soil biology, biochar, cover crops, composting, and other innovative practices, we can strengthen our farmland while reducing long-term costs for farmers and protecting our natural resources.

Issues & Platform

Issues &Platform

1.
PRESERVING OUR AGRICULTURAL HERITAGE

Johnston County was built by farmers, and protecting that heritage is one of my highest priorities. I will work to preserve family farms, productive farmland, and the rural character that has defined our community for generations. Growth should respect the people who have cared for this land long before the newest developments arrived.

2.
PROTECTING CLEAN WATER

Every family deserves clean, safe drinking water. I will work to protect our rivers, streams, lakes, groundwater, and watersheds while holding polluters accountable and promoting responsible conservation. Clean water isn't a luxury. It's a necessity for our families, our farms, and our future.

4.
SUPPORTING LOCAL AGRICULTURE & FOOD SECURITY

I believe Johnston County should lead the way in supporting both large agricultural producers and small family and hobby farms. By working together, we can strengthen local food production, create healthier options for our communities, improve food security, and help keep farming profitable for future generations. Local agriculture is more than an industry. It's the backbone of our county.

His campaign focuses on voluntary programs, protecting prime farmland, giving farmers real input on development decisions, and building community through initiatives like the Farm Forum.

5.
WATER SECURITY & ACCOUNTABILITY

As Johnston County continues to grow, our water infrastructure must keep pace. New developments should not experience the same long-standing water quality concerns found elsewhere in the county. If the same contaminants continue appearing throughout our water system, we owe our citizens honest answers. Is our water source under increasing stress? Does our infrastructure need modernization? Are our treatment systems keeping up with the demands of rapid growth?

Supports regenerative and conservation farming practices, including cover crops, composting, biochar, and soil biology, to improve soil health and reduce erosion.

Plans to preserve family farms, productive farmland, and Johnston County's rural character as development occurs.

Plans to protect waterways and watersheds, hold polluters accountable, and promote conservation.

Believes Johnston County should support large agricultural producers as well as small family and hobby farms.

Supports voluntary conservation programs, protecting prime farmland, and giving farmers input on development decisions.

Calls for water infrastructure to keep pace with growth and prevent water-quality concerns in new developments.

- Supports regenerative and conservation farming practices, including cover crops, composting, biochar, and soil biology, to improve soil health and reduce erosion.
- Plans to preserve family farms, productive farmland, and Johnston County's rural character as development occurs.
- Plans to protect waterways and watersheds, hold polluters accountable, and promote conservation.
- Believes Johnston County should support large agricultural producers as well as small family and hobby farms.
- Supports voluntary conservation programs, protecting prime farmland, and giving farmers input on development decisions.
- Calls for water infrastructure to keep pace with growth and prevent water-quality concerns in new developments.

Energy & the Environment

A system produces the results it is designed and maintained to produce. If those results are falling short of what our citizens deserve, then it's our responsibility to identify the problem and fix it. I will advocate for transparency, regular water quality monitoring, infrastructure improvements where necessary, and long-term planning that protects our water before problems become crises.

6.
PROTECTING PROPERTY RIGHTS, PRIVACY & TRANSPARENT GOVERNMENT

Conservation should never come at the expense of the freedoms of the people it serves. I will defend private property rights, stand against unnecessary government overreach, and support transparent decision-making at every level. As technologies such as artificial intelligence, expanding data infrastructure, and other emerging systems become more common, we must ensure they are implemented responsibly. Our farmers and citizens deserve to know how decisions are being made, how resources are being managed, and that their privacy and property rights are respected. Government should be transparent with the people, not the other way around.

Advocates for transparency, regular water-quality monitoring, needed infrastructure improvements, and long-term water planning.

Plans to defend private property rights and oppose what he considers unnecessary government overreach.

Supports transparent decision-making and public information about how resources are managed and decisions are made.

- Advocates for transparency, regular water-quality monitoring, needed infrastructure improvements, and long-term water planning.
- Plans to defend private property rights and oppose what he considers unnecessary government overreach.
- Supports transparent decision-making and public information about how resources are managed and decisions are made.

Administration

Facebook

Instagram

Luke Smith

- Plans to preserve family farms, productive farmland, and Johnston County's rural character as development occurs.
- Plans to protect waterways and watersheds, hold polluters accountable, and promote conservation.
- Believes Johnston County should support large agricultural producers as well as small family and hobby farms.
- Supports voluntary conservation programs, protecting prime farmland, and giving farmers input on development decisions.
- Calls for water infrastructure to keep pace with growth and prevent water-quality concerns in new developments.

Isaac Brickman

Walter Ley

Brad A. Barefoot

Caitlin Marsh

Christine A. Livingston

Dewitt Hardee

Gracie Chamblee

Joe David Austin

John Michael Langdon

Travis Allen Floyd

- A soil and water conservation district supervisor is 1 member of a board of 5 supervisors that works to improve the soil and water quality in the county through education. 
- The board of supervisors provide technical and financial assistance to help land users maintain their land and surrounding ecosystems. 
- The board of supervisors design long term conservation programs that teach environmental care, pollution reduction, and provide incentives for using these practices, especially for agricultural workers. 
- The board of supervisors provide short term educational services like competitions, field days, and workshops to educate the public on conservation. 
- Soil and water conservation district supervisors are elected to 4 year terms in non-partisan races. However, 2 of the board members are appointed by the state soil and water commission. 

Member of board of supervisors that creates aid programs and educates people on environmental conservation. 