Jul 16

Jul 16 The race is on, Kinston Mayoral Race features four candidates

The Kinston Mayoral race has four candidates including incumbent Mayor Dontario Hardy, current Mayor Pro Tem Felicia Solomon, Jeffery Warren, and Zac Holcomb.

Mayoral candidate Zac Holcomb entered the race on July 15, 2021. The number one thing he loves about Kinston is all of the opportunities available for people to make their own future. He feels as though Kinston is at a unique crossroad in which the city is starting to show signs of turning positive.

"I believe that modern problems require modern solutions, and that is what I bring to this ticket," said Holcomb.

Holcomb is the CEO and Co-Founder of Additive America. He is married to his wife Stephanie, and they have two daughters. Holcomb has a decade in the manufacturing and product development space.

"I wanted to run for mayor to give the people another option," said Holcomb. "I have been approached by a lot of people and they have asked for me to run."

Solomon serves on the Kinston City Council and is the current Mayor Pro-Tem. Solomon is a former principal in Lenoir County who transitioned into a position at the Lenoir County Public Schools central office, where she serves as Student Services Facilitator and Equity Officer.

“I believe the greatest title anyone can ever wear is that of being a servant,” said Solomon. “My focus has always been — in my professional or political career — to never be focused on an office or a seat in government. My commitment has always been and will always be to put my hands to the work of being a public servant to every resident of Kinston, regardless of their station in life.”

Solomon is proud of her work with the city government. She believes her work with the budgetary realm speaks for itself. “In my professional career working with school budgets, fiscal responsibility is paramount and it is even more pronounced in our municipal budget,” said Solomon.

“This city requires a leader who is not afraid to get her hands dirty and will have the city’s best interests at heart,” said Solomon.

Decorated Navy Veteran Dontario Hardy is a native to Kinston, graduated from Kinston High School, served as a Kinston police officer, and is currently a police sergeant in public safety for the UNC Lenoir Health Care hospital. He is married to his wife Angela and has served as Kinston's mayor since 2017.

“It has been an honor and a distinguished pleasure to have advocated for Kinston on the local, state, and federal level,” said Hardy in a post on Facebook.

Hardy received an award from the American Association of Retired People (AARP), is the chairman of the NC Mayors Association, Vice Chairman of the National League of Cities, and a member of the Board of Directors of the North Carolina Global TransPark.

“I look forward to continuing to advocate for Kinston, NC,” said Hardy in the same post.

Kinston native Jeffery Warren, CEO, and builder at Jeff’s General Construction graduated from South Lenoir High School and feels he has a strong rapport with the community.

"I am all around the city of Kinston. I've worked this town a long time with my business,” said Warren.

The current state of the city of Kinston is what prompted Warren to run.

"This town needs a lot of improvement, like roads and people working together,” said Warren.