Four candidates set to run for three Kinston City Council seats

Sammy, Aiken, Jim Godfrey, Antonio “Pearl” Hardy, and Felicia Solomon. Photos courtesy of Lenoir County Board of Elections Facebook page.

The field is set for the race for Kinston’s City Council, and the council will look different when the next term begins.

The filing period for the municipal election in November ended Friday at noon, and four candidates filed to run for the three open seats. 

One incumbent, Councilman Joe Tyson, did not file to run for re-election, ensuring at least one new member will be on the council. The two other incumbents, Felicia Solomon and Sammy Aiken, filed for re-election. They are joined in the race by challengers Antonio “Pearl” Hardy and Jim Godfrey. 

Solomon, who is currently also serving as the mayor pro-tem, said she hopes to be granted the honor of a second term on the city council. 

“I’m excited about the possibility, because if elected for a second term, I’m able to come in with more experience.” Solomon said. 

She said her priorities in a second term will include a focus on infrastructure, especially increasing the budget for road repair and creating a strategic plan that accounts for the realities of the city’s future as it faces a dwindling population.

Aiken will also run for re-election. In a previous interview with Neuse News, he spoke about his goal of bringing more economic development to the city, especially through the Global TransPark. 

“I’m looking forward to … improving the morale of the citizens of Kinston,” Aiken said. 

Hardy, a retired Marine who said he now spends time volunteering in the community, is hoping to be elected to the city council for the first time. 

“The main reason I’m running is because we need to bridge the gap between community leaders and city council,” Hardy said. 

Hardy said he believes the city budget needs to prioritize to better serve the city’s youth and elderly populations, as well as manage grant funds in a different way. 

Godfrey was the last candidate to join the race, with his filing taking place just minutes before the noon deadline on Friday. Godfrey, the executive director of Mary’s Kitchen, said his decision to run for city council was the result of much consideration and thought. 

“I decided it was time for me to take the opportunity to do everything possible to move the community forward,” Godfrey said.

According to Godfrey, his focus will be on creating an economic development plan for the city and on the recreation facilities available in the city. 

Each candidate is running for a four year term on the Kinston City Council. The municipal election will take place Tuesday, Nov. 5.