The guest speaker Tuesday at the Lenoir County Republican Party meeting was Pastor Brian E. Hawkins, a San Jacinto City Council member who is running for California’s District 36 Congressional seat held by Democrat Raul Ruiz since 2013.

“I was looking forward to coming,” said Hawkins. “It was probably more emotional for me than anything, just to see the town.”

Born in California, Hawkins spent his childhood in Kinston and attended Rochelle Middle School in Kinston, and his father graduated from Grainger High School.

“There is a resiliency in this community, talking to some of the people here,” said Hawkins. “I think it just needs a spotlight shined on it. I would encourage individuals to be that light and bring that attention.”

Hawkins learned that the Kinston Mall was no longer the thriving center of commerce that he remembered.

“My biggest argument is come shop locally,” said Hawkins. “When you hear residents say go outside [the town], I don’t think residents understand how much that hurts the community.”

His message of shopping local came from his own experience as a councilman in a town like Kinston.

“Try your hardest to show local to bring the taxes here and help a community like this,” said Hawkins.

His message was well-received by the participants at the meeting.

“Brian Hawkins gives us hope that, with forgiveness, education, the right voices, the right leaders, we as a nation can heal, reconcile and bring unity,” said Lenoir County Republican Susan G. Myers.

The Lenoir County Republican Party will not be meeting next month due to the upcoming holiday and will resume again in August.

“We’re so excited to have Pastor Hawkins come here tonight,” said Lenoir County Republican Party Chairman Lloyd Moody. “We know his words are going to be transformative.”

Another speaker at the event was Trey Allen, running for a seat on the NC Supreme Court.