Kinston, Mayor Dontario Hardy  Appointed as Vice Chair of National League of Cities Public Safety and Crime Prevention Federal Advocacy Committee

Washington, DC — Dontario Hardy, Mayor of Kinston, NC has been appointed Vice Chair of the National League of Cities (NLC) 2025 Public Safety and Crime Prevention Federal Advocacy Committee. Mayor Hardy was elected to a one-year term and will provide strategic direction and guidance for NLC’s federal advocacy agenda and policy priorities on crime prevention, corrections, substance abuse, gun violence, municipal fire policy, juvenile justice, disaster preparedness, response and recovery, and homeland security. The appointment was announced by NLC President Sharon Weston Broome, Mayor-President of Baton Rouge, Louisiana.  

“Serving as the Vice Chair of the Public Safety and Crime Prevention Committee at the National League of Cities and as Mayor of Kinston, NC, allows me to work at both the local and national levels to advocate for safer communities. It is an honor to represent Kinston while collaborating with leaders across the country to address critical issues like public safety, community resilience, and equitable solutions for all.” – Mayor Dontario Hardy 

As Vice Chair of the committee, Mayor Hardy will play a key role in shaping NLC’s policy positions and advocating on behalf of America’s cities, towns, and villages before Congress, with the administration, and at home in Kinston, NC.

“NLC’s federal advocacy committees are vital for uplifting the voices and needs of America’s 19,000 cities, towns, and villages to decision-makers in Washington,” said National League of Cities President Sharon Weston Broome, Mayor-President of Baton Rouge, Louisiana. “I am excited to work with Mayor Hardy and look forward to supporting their vision and leadership as they lead the Public Safety and Crime Prevention Federal Advocacy Committee this year and help grow the partnership between local and federal leaders.” 

The leadership of this year’s committee will consist of Chair Van Johnson, of Mayor, Savannah, Georgia, Vice Chair Dontario Hardy, Mayor, City of Kinston, North Carolina, Vice Chair Nic Hunter, Mayor of Lake Charles, Louisiana, and LaShay Harris, Council Vice President, City of Rochester, New York.

For more information on NLC’s Federal Advocacy Committees, visit https://www.nlc.org/advocacy/federal-advocacy-committees/.