When retirement came around, my wife Sandy and I visited to see if this was the place. There were two major requirements: we wanted a sailboat and we wanted a place where the people were good to each other. We found both here and moved in 2018.

Meet the 2025 Oriental Town Board Candidates

Oriental seemed like the kind of place that took care of its own. I liked that.

I joined the Harbor and Waterfronts Committee and have been a member for the last six years. Because of that. I understand the challenges this town faces from water intrusion along our shorelines, onto our roads, and when storms happen.

Don McGuire moved to Oriental with his wife, Sandy, in 2018. He has been a member of the Harbor and Waterfronts Committee for the last six years.

Election Results 2025 - TownDock.net

My background is in industrial engineering, with a masters is in Marketing and Finance. I know what it takes to run a company, to open the books and dig into what makes – or breaks – a business. I’ve owned my own business for 40 years and served on the board of trustees for several others.

Don McGuire owned his own business and served on the boards of trustees for several others.

Don owned his own business and served on the boards of trustees for several others.

Eleven candidates sought five town board slots in Oriental, including two incumbents. The incumbent mayor ran unopposed.

Elected for Oriental town commission are Paul Jordan, Chris Moffat, Iris Cooper, Lou Ostendorff and Don McGuire.

Incumbents Bonnie Crosser and Allen Price were part of a controversial board. They received less than half the votes of winning candidates.

Election Results 2025

Don McGuire, Commissioner
Liaison to HWAC, Parks and Recreation Committee, Water Advisory Board
(252) 665-0569 (Cell)
DMcGuire@townoforiental.com
Term expires 12/2026

Mayor and Town Board of Commissioners Contacts

Don currently serves as an Oriental town commissioner. He was elected in 2025.

Mayor & Board - Oriental, North Carolina

2026 North Carolina General Election

Don McGuire: "My philosophy on spending public money is to prioritize essential services and ensure that we are being fiscally responsible. I believe in transparency and involving the community in budget discussions to reflect their needs and priorities."

Oriental Candidates' Forum 2025

Prioritizes essential services and fiscal responsibility in public spending.

- Prioritizes essential services and fiscal responsibility in public spending.

Economy

Supports transparency and community participation in budget discussions.

- Supports transparency and community participation in budget discussions.

Public Services

As of September 2, 2026, Don McGuire did not have a website or any information online.

Housing & Urban Development

Public Safety

Transportation & Infrastructure

Energy & the Environment

Don McGuire

As of September 2, 2026, Don McGuire’s website did not contain information on this issue.

LinkedIn

I joined the Harbor and Waterfronts Committee and have been a member for the last six years. Because of that. I understand the challenges this town faces from water intrusion along our shorelines, onto our roads, and when storms happen.

Don McGuire, Commissioner
Liaison to HWAC, Parks and Recreation Committee, Water Advisory Board
(252) 665-0569 (Cell)
DMcGuire@townoforiental.com
Term expires 12/2026

...

Jordan, Moffat, Cooper, Ostendorff and McGuire elected
November 4, 2025

Eleven candidates sought five town board slots in Oriental, including two incumbents.

Question 7
If elected, you will be involved in planning the town’s budget. What is your philosophy on spending public money? (Responses begin with Don McGuire.)

Don McGuire: "My philosophy on spending public money is to prioritize essential services and ensure that we are being fiscally responsible. I believe in transparency and involving the community in budget discussions to reflect their needs and priorities."

Prioritizes essential services and community involvement in budget discussions.

- Prioritizes essential services and community involvement in budget discussions.

Mauricio Mendez

Buket Urgen

Walter Ley

Charlie Overcash

Iris Cooper

Lou Ostendorff

Paul Jordan

- Town commissioners serve as the legislative body for the town government. 
- Town commissioners have the authority to decide the services offered to the town, pass the budget, decide the property tax, acquire property, and enter into agreements with other governments. 
- The town commissioners can create or abolish any offices, positions, departments, etc. to improve the organization of the town. 
- Town commissioners may make investigations into the town or any of its departments or agencies. 
- Most town commissioners in Georgia are elected in odd years to staggered 4 year terms. Elections are nonpartisan. 

Legislative body for your town's government. 