Q&A with Kinston Mayor Dontario Hardy — Neuse News

Don is originally from Kinston and graduated from Kinston High School. He and his wife, Angela, have two children.

Don Hardy - American Flood Coalition

Don professional background is in law enforcement. He has worked as an officer at the Lenoir County Sheriff's Office and the Kinston Police Department. He also served in the United States Navy for four years. 

Dontario 'Don' Hardy wins second term as Kinston's mayor

Don is currently the Mayor of the City of Kinston. He was first elected in 2017 and re-elected in 2021. 

Economy

As of September 4, 2025, Don Hardy did not have a website or any information online.

Public Services

Supports increasing retail and shopping options in Kinston.

- Supports increasing retail and shopping options in Kinston.

Housing & Urban Development

Public Safety

Transportation & Infrastructure

Education

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Don Hardy

Dontario Hardy was a decorated Navy veteran and Kinston police officer when he made his initial foray into local politics and won the race for mayor of Kinston in November. In an hour-long exclusive interview, The Neuse News sat down with the mayor a few weeks ago to find out what motivated him to run for mayor and what the first six months in office have been like for Hardy, among many other subjects. Here are the highlights of that interview with the mayor. Neuse News: Thanks for sitting down with us, Mr. Mayor! Tell us a little about yourself. Meet Kinston Mayor Dontario Hardy Age: 36 Occupation: Police officer with UNC-Lenoir Health Care Graduated Kinston High School in 2001 Parents: Audrey Hardy Bruinton and James Bryant Wife: Angela Swinson Hardy Children: Daysha and Shatyrianah

Don is a law enforcement officer at the Lenoir County Sheriff 

's Office. He previously served in the United States Navy for four years. 

James Auchincloss

Walter Ley

Wants to see Kinston "move progressively further."

Wants to see the city "move progressively further."

Supports the addition of commercial airline services in Kinston.

2025 Municipal Elections are Set - Here are your candidates ...

Kareem S. Moore works as a barber and a nurse. He is a veteran of the U.S. Army, serving in the 82nd airborne. 

Kareem S. Moore (Mayor of Kinston, North Carolina, candidate 2025 ...

Kareem's campaign for Kinston Mayor is his first entry into politics. 

Kareem Moore: Veteran and Community Advocate Running for Mayor of Kinston with Focus on Jobs, Homeownership, and Accountability

Plans to work with lenders, builders, and nonprofit developers to help residents qualify for homeownership and generate new property tax revenue through growth rather than higher taxes.

Plans to establish a Mayor’s Economic Focus Group to develop strategies for recruiting businesses aligned with Kinston’s workforce and infrastructure.

- Plans to work with lenders, builders, and nonprofit developers to help residents qualify for homeownership and generate new property tax revenue through growth rather than higher taxes.
- Plans to establish a Mayor’s Economic Focus Group to develop strategies for recruiting businesses aligned with Kinston’s workforce and infrastructure.

Plans to provide every Kinston household with a free digital resource, The Giving Works Guide to Building Wealth and Wisdom, which will include financial education tools to help residents buy homes and build generational wealth.

Plans to launch a “Transparent Kinston” initiative, which would include a public-facing online dashboard detailing city expenditures, contracts, and capital projects.

Plans to create a Citizen Advisory Council to provide feedback and ensure city policies meet community needs.

- Plans to provide every Kinston household with a free digital resource, The Giving Works Guide to Building Wealth and Wisdom, which will include financial education tools to help residents buy homes and build generational wealth.
- Plans to launch a “Transparent Kinston” initiative, which would include a public-facing online dashboard detailing city expenditures, contracts, and capital projects.
- Plans to create a Citizen Advisory Council to provide feedback and ensure city policies meet community needs.

Wants to transition more residents from renting to homeownership by using city leverage, such as zoning and incentives, to support affordable starter homes.

Plans to revitalize downtown by partnering with local entrepreneurs to support restaurants, retail, and small businesses.

- Wants to transition more residents from renting to homeownership by using city leverage, such as zoning and incentives, to support affordable starter homes.
- Plans to revitalize downtown by partnering with local entrepreneurs to support restaurants, retail, and small businesses.

Supports youth engagement and job readiness programs, police transparency, and supporting officers.

- Supports youth engagement and job readiness programs, police transparency, and supporting officers.

Plans to prioritize data-driven infrastructure repair and pursue federal and state funding to address long-overdue maintenance.

- Plans to prioritize data-driven infrastructure repair and pursue federal and state funding to address long-overdue maintenance.

As of September 4, 2025, Kareem S Moore did not have a website or any information online.

Kareem S Moore

- Plans to provide every Kinston household with a free digital resource, The Giving Works Guide to Building Wealth and Wisdom, which will include financial education tools to help residents buy homes and build generational wealth.

Kareem S. Moore's campaign for Kinston Mayor is his first entry into politics. 

Kareem works as a barber and a nurse. He is a veteran of the U.S. Army, serving in the 82nd airborne. 

As of September 4, 2025, Kareem S Moore’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Two men file to run for Kinston mayor last minute amid arrest video ...

Spunk Moore's campaign for Kinston Mayor is his first entry into politics. 

As of September 4, 2025, Spunk Moore did not have a website or any information online.

Spunk Moore

Spunjk Moore's campaign for Kinston Mayor is his first entry into politics. 

As of September 4, 2025, Spunjk Moore did not have a website or any information online.

Spunjk Moore

- The mayor leads the executive branch of local government, presiding over city council meetings, making sure city departments run smoothly, and providing services to citizens. 
- The mayor attends and runs City Council meetings, serving as an important leader for how local laws get set. These laws affect local services, such as Police, City Planning, Parks & Recreation, and Transportation.  
- The Mayor in some circumstances may vote to break a tie in council meetings. They do not have veto power.

Kinston Mayor

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