2024 NC General Election

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New Hanover County: Bill Rivenbark

Bill is a lifelong resident of New Hanover County. He volunteers with the Wilmington Hammerheads Youth Soccer Club and his church. He is married and has 3 daughters. 

Bill is a retired entrepreneur in the restaurant and material management industries. 

Bill Rivenbark previously served as a member of the New Hanover County Board of Education. He was elected to serve as the chair of the New Hanover County board of commissioners in 2020, and is currently serving his first term. 

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

Public Services

Opposes selling the New Hanover Hospital.

- Opposes selling the New Hanover Hospital.

Economy

Plans to secure funding and support for building new schools.

Opposes teachers sharing their political views with students.

- Plans to secure funding and support for building new schools.
- Opposes teachers sharing their political views with students.

Education

Public Safety

Housing & Urban Development

Plans to ensure that county boards are enforcing smart development through studying traffic patterns and determining the impact of higher development in order to help reduce congestion and improve infrastructure.

- Plans to ensure that county boards are enforcing smart development through studying traffic patterns and determining the impact of higher development in order to help reduce congestion and improve infrastructure.

Transportation & Infrastructure

Bill Rivenbark

LinkedIn

Cassidy is from El Paso, Texas. She holds a bachelor's degree in biology from the University of Texas at Austin. She lives in Wilmington with her daughter. 

Cassid currently works as a software product manager at the N2 Company. She previously worked as an associate director of engineering and a senior manager in engineering at nCino and as a public school teacher. She also worked as an information technology manager and senior software developer at the University of Texas.

Cassidy Santaguida's campaign for New Hanover County Commissioner is her first run for public office. 

Promises to safeguard the rights of all members of the community.

- Promises to safeguard the rights of all members of the community.

Candidate website

Believes in a strategic and pragmatic approach to problem-solving, ensuring fiscal responsibility and sustainable growth. Supports workforce training programs that benefit both individuals and businesses.

Plans to establish a "strategic and pragmatic approach to problem-solving..."

Plans to uphold fiscal responsibility and foster sustainable growth county-wide.

Wants to attract and train a "talented workforce for our growing business community..."

- Plans to establish a "strategic and pragmatic approach to problem-solving..."
- Plans to uphold fiscal responsibility and foster sustainable growth county-wide.
- Wants to attract and train a "talented workforce for our growing business community..."

Believes every decision as County Commissioner will be influenced by the needs of children and families. Plans to collaborate with the NHC Board of Education to ensure quality education for every child.

Promises that every decision she makes in office will be "influenced by the needs of children and families in New Hanover County."

Promises to work with the County Board of Education and schools to guarantee all children receive a quality education.

- Promises that every decision she makes in office will be "influenced by the needs of children and families in New Hanover County."
- Promises to work with the County Board of Education and schools to guarantee all children receive a quality education.

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

Wants to address housing and development with "thoughtfulness, inclusivity, and foresight."

- Wants to address housing and development with "thoughtfulness, inclusivity, and foresight."

Wants to ensure readiness for hurricanes or floods.

- Wants to ensure readiness for hurricanes or floods.

Cassidy Santaguida

Instagram

Dane is from Morganton, North Carolina. He has a bachelors degree in English and history from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and a law degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Dane and his wife Katya have two young sons. He is a member of the National Association of Benefits and Insurance Professionals, the North Carolina Bar Association, and the board of directors for Wilmington Downtown, Inc. He has volunteered with Compass Center for Women and Families, North Carolina for Military Employment, Habitat for Humanity, Legal Aid of North Carolina, and Community Legal Project. 

Dane is the owner and principal attorney at ILM Lawyers, general counsel and an insurance broker for GriffinEstep Benefit Group, and general counsel for Bering Yachts. He also served as an attorney for Solana, Theriault & Gross and Faison & Gillespie. 

Dane Scalise is currently serving as a New Hanover County Commissioner. He was appointed in 2023 and is serving his first term. He was appointed by the Governor of North Carolina to serve as Deputy Commissioner of the North Carolina Industrial Commission, serving one term from 2016 to 2020.

Believes clean drinking water is "non-negotiable." Supports protecting the Cape Fear River "whatever it takes."

Believes clean drinking water is "non-negotiable." Supports protecting the Cape Fear River.

- Believes clean drinking water is "non-negotiable." Supports protecting the Cape Fear River.

Believes "stale, worn-out ideas just won’t cut it anymore" and supports being "slow to tax," frugal with budgets, and decisive in creating economic opportunities for all.

Supports being "slow to tax," frugal with budgets, and decisive in creating economic opportunities for all.

- Supports being "slow to tax," frugal with budgets, and decisive in creating economic opportunities for all.

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

Believes public safety is a choice and supports providing law enforcement and first responders with necessary resources. Plans to reduce traffic danger and ensure efficient roads.

Supports providing law enforcement and first responders with necessary resources. Aims to reduce traffic danger and ensure efficient roads.

- Supports providing law enforcement and first responders with necessary resources. Aims to reduce traffic danger and ensure efficient roads.

StarNews Online, Q&A: New Hanover's newest commissioner talks priorities, approach to new role

Supports additional public infrastructure and affordable housing to accommodate growth.

- Supports additional public infrastructure and affordable housing to accommodate growth.

Twitter

Dane Scalise

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.

Ballotpedia, John Hinnant

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.

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.

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.

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. 

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. 

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.

John Hinnant

Ballotpedia, Jonathan Barfield, Jr.

Jonathan is from New Hanover County and attended New Hanover High School. He is married to his wife, Laura, with whom he has 4 daughters. He is an assistant pastor at New Beginning Christian Church. 

Jonathan owns Barfield & Associates Realty, LLC, where he works as a realtor. 

Jonathan Barfield, Jr. currently serves as a New Hanover County Commissioner. He was elected to this position in 2008 and is serving his fourth term. He served as president of the Wilmington Regional Association of Realtors, chairman of the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners (NCACC) Mentoring Task Force, and on the NCACC Board of Directors. 

Supports Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid, and promises to make efforts to develop ways to enhance these programs to ensure they are viable for many years.

Supports the Health Care Act and affordable health care for all Americans.

- Supports Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid, and promises to make efforts to develop ways to enhance these programs to ensure they are viable for many years.
- Supports the Health Care Act and affordable health care for all Americans.

Holds creating jobs and making corporate investments in New Hanover County as among his top priorities.

Plans to work with local  Universities, K-12 school systems and Community Colleges to help secure state and federal funds for education and training programs to enhance workforce readiness.

Promises work to maintain economic diversity.

Supports efforts to retain and develop existing businesses.

Wants to expand traditional agriculture and install new agriculture technology.

Promises to ensure Agribusiness is a viable industry in future years.

- Holds creating jobs and making corporate investments in New Hanover County as among his top priorities.
- Plans to work with local  Universities, K-12 school systems and Community Colleges to help secure state and federal funds for education and training programs to enhance workforce readiness.
- Promises work to maintain economic diversity.
- Supports efforts to retain and develop existing businesses.
- Wants to expand traditional agriculture and install new agriculture technology.
- Promises to ensure Agribusiness is a viable industry in future years.

Supports public education, saying it provides accessible opportunities and is "is fundamental to our democracy."

Supports holding teachers, students, families, school leaders, and policy makers accountable.

Wants to establish an "Inquiry-Based Curricula" that focuses less on memorization and more on problem-solving.

Supports investing in high-quality teachers, saying it "is not optional."

- Supports public education, saying it provides accessible opportunities and is "is fundamental to our democracy."
- Supports holding teachers, students, families, school leaders, and policy makers accountable.
- Wants to establish an "Inquiry-Based Curricula" that focuses less on memorization and more on problem-solving.
- Supports investing in high-quality teachers, saying it "is not optional."

Plans to advocate for state military bases.

Wants to provide adequate support for military troops.

- Plans to advocate for state military bases.
- Wants to provide adequate support for military troops.

As of June 14, 2024, Jonathan Barfield, Jr.’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Wants to streamline county infrastructure so it can keep up with the current global economy.

- Wants to streamline county infrastructure so it can keep up with the current global economy.

Jonathan Barfield, Jr.

Stephanie grew up in the Wilmington area. She holds both a bachelor's degree in political science and a master's degree in public administration from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington She is married to her husband, Laurie, with whom she has 2 children. 

Stephanie works at The English Gardener. She is also a co-founder of Turnaround Taskforce at New Hanover County Schools. 

Stephanie Walker currently serves as a member of the New Hanover County School Board. She was elected to this position in 2020 and is serving her first term. She previously served as secretary of the New Hanover County African American History Heritage, & Culture Commission and as chairman of the Vereen Memorial Historical Gardens Committee and Precinct Harnett 11. 

Supports creating walkable communities with public access to waterfronts.

Supports developing walkable communities with public access to waterfronts.

Believes in fostering community and stakeholder collaboration in development decisions. Supports ensuring public interests and access rights to waterfront and coastal waters are upheld.

Promotes stakeholders working with the greater community in making development decisions and wants to ensure the public's interests and access to the waterfront and coastal waters are upheld. 

- Supports developing walkable communities with public access to waterfronts.
- Promotes stakeholders working with the greater community in making development decisions and wants to ensure the public's interests and access to the waterfront and coastal waters are upheld. 

Believes a lack of funding causes staffing shortages, leading to difficult working conditions.

Believes insufficient funding caused staffing shortages and difficult working conditions.

- Believes insufficient funding caused staffing shortages and difficult working conditions.

Believes addressing poverty, hiring more teachers of color, eliminating elementary school suspensions, and mandatory bias training can reduce educational disparities. Supports expanding policies for greater school integration and equity.

Wants to address community poverty, hire more minority teachers, end elementary school suspensions, and require bias training for teachers and staff. 

Believes access to a sound, basic education is a fundamental right for every child. As a New Hanover County School Board member, works to uphold this right and advocates for public education.

Supports accessible education, saying it is a "right I resolutely work to uphold..."

Supports greater racial and socioeconomic equity in schools and additional resources for students with learning difficulties.

Promises to advocate for racial and socioeconomic equity in schools and provide more resources for students with learning difficulties.

Supports advocating for teachers and staff for classroom support and a livable wage.

Wants more teacher and staff support and to establish a "livable wage." for school employees. 

Believes all children deserve a safe learning environment and supports a zero-tolerance policy for those who abuse their position by preying on children.

Believes all children deserve a safe learning environment and promises to install a zero-tolerance policy for any individual who commits sexual assault on students. 

Supports expanding the Pre-K program to ensure all children receive a head start. Said, "Our current program is insufficient to meet the dire need."

Wants to expand the county's Pre-K education program. 

Believes in raising awareness about ACEs, resiliency, and mental health and behavioral needs for students. Supports comprehensive mental health and behavioral support in education.

Wants to provide mental health and behavioral support. 

Opposes restrictive measures for teachers.

- Wants to address community poverty, hire more minority teachers, end elementary school suspensions, and require bias training for teachers and staff. 
- Supports accessible education, saying it is a "right I resolutely work to uphold..."
- Promises to advocate for racial and socioeconomic equity in schools and provide more resources for students with learning difficulties.
- Wants more teacher and staff support and to establish a "livable wage." for school employees. 
- Believes all children deserve a safe learning environment and promises to install a zero-tolerance policy for any individual who commits sexual assault on students. 
- Wants to expand the county's Pre-K education program. 
- Wants to provide mental health and behavioral support. 
- Opposes restrictive measures for teachers.

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

Supports addressing the affordable housing crisis through inclusionary zoning and public-private partnerships for payment assistance and tax incentives.

Wants to increase affordable and workforce housing through inclusive zoning policies. 

Plans to collaborate with elected bodies and organizations to address the affordable housing crisis and prevent residents from being priced out.

Plans to collaborate with other elected bodies and organizations to address affordable and workforce housing and prevent residents from being priced out of the area. 

Believes in making development decisions "predictable, fair, and cost-effective" through consistent policies and coordinated permitting processes.

Believes development decisions that are "predictable, fair, and cost-effective" by having consistent policies and coordinated permitting processes.

Believes in balancing growth with responsible development, especially in low-lying coastal areas. Said, "we are running out of buildable space" and must address the challenges of growth.

Supports balanced growth with "responsible development...especially for our...low-lying coastal areas." saying that "we are running out of buildable space..."

Believes in Smart Growth principles, including affordable housing, environmental conservation, and development that respects coastal community infrastructure.

Supports measures to help protect the environment. 

Supports mixing land uses, including water-dependent uses.

Supports "Mixed land uses, including water-dependent uses."

- Wants to increase affordable and workforce housing through inclusive zoning policies. 
- Plans to collaborate with other elected bodies and organizations to address affordable and workforce housing and prevent residents from being priced out of the area. 
- Believes development decisions that are "predictable, fair, and cost-effective" by having consistent policies and coordinated permitting processes.
- Supports balanced growth with "responsible development...especially for our...low-lying coastal areas." saying that "we are running out of buildable space..."
- Supports measures to help protect the environment. 
- Supports "Mixed land uses, including water-dependent uses."

Believes in providing a variety of land- and water-based transportation options.

Supports robust land and water forms of trasportation. 

Supports addressing transportation issues, including the disparity in bus driver pay and the bus driver shortage.

Supports addressing transportation issues, including bus driver shortages and disparities in bus driver pay. 

- Supports robust land and water forms of trasportation. 
- Supports addressing transportation issues, including bus driver shortages and disparities in bus driver pay. 

Stephanie Walker

- 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.

Creates new laws and passes the budget for your county.

New Hanover County Commissioner

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Candidates (6)
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