A.P. Dillon

Longtime North Carolina Representative Jimmy Dixon announced Tuesday, Sept. 23 that he will not seek re-election after completing his eighth term in the General Assembly.  Dixon, who has represented House District 4 for 16 years, said his decision comes after “serious and prayerful consideration,” emphasizing a desire to spend more time with his family and church.

“I have always planned to take myself out of the game while I still have some game left,” Dixon told Duplin Journal in an exclusive interview — just weeks after previously signaling his intent to run again.

The decision marks a significant shift for the veteran legislator, who has become a well-known figure in the state’s political landscape. Dixon said he remains committed to serving the remainder of his term, which ends in 2026.

“I have enjoyed my service in the people’s House,” said Dixon. “May the Lord bless our efforts and future efforts to conduct their business well.”

Early voting starts on Oct. 16

With early voting for municipal elections less than three weeks away, towns across Duplin County are gearing up for pivotal local races that could shape the future of water infrastructure, economic development and public accountability. From uncontested incumbents to fiercely contested town board seats, the upcoming election offers a snapshot of civic engagement and disengagement at a critical time for local leadership.

Now is the time to get informed, as early voting for the Nov. 4 municipal election begins on Oct. 16. The political landscape across Duplin County reflects a blend of stability and emerging changes.

Several towns including Faison, Mount Olive, Warsaw and Calypso are experiencing dynamic election cycles.

In Mount Olive, the entire town board and the mayor’s seat are up for election, with several incumbents opting not to seek reelection, leading to significant changes in leadership.

The stakes are high in Mount Olive, as the town faces challenges stemming from a recent state audit that revealed financial mismanagement and struggles with a long-standing sewer moratorium due to repeated wastewater violations and aging infrastructure.

Mayor J. Jerome Newton is running unopposed for reelection. Newcomers Harlie Junior Carmichael and Don Fairman are competing for the at-large seat. Incumbent Commissioner Delreese Simmons is running unopposed in District 2, while newcomers Gena Messer-Knode and Camilla Loftin are vying for the District 3 and District 4 seats.

Warsaw is facing a heated election amid ongoing wastewater treatment violations, including a recent incident in which millions of gallons of partially untreated water spilled into Stewarts Creek and went unreported to the public for several days. Also, the recently adopted $4.1 million budget for FY 2025–26 has stirred controversy. Although the property tax rate saw a modest decrease, water and sewer rates rose, along with staff wages and stipends for elected officials. Many residents are pushing back, questioning the town’s fiscal priorities.

In this election, incumbent Mayor A.J. Connors is challenged by political newcomer Wesley Boykin in a rare contested race. The commissioner race is competitive, with five candidates vying for two seats. Here, incumbents Al Searles and Ebony Wills-Wells are running against Sheree Shepard, Kiara Smith and Cheryl Smith.

Meanwhile, Calypso’s contested mayoral race between Mayor JoAnne Bowden-Wilson and Mayor Pro Tem Marvin “Marty” Taylor reflects a leadership crossroads. Incumbent Larry Cashwell and newcomers Rodney Lambert Jr. and Willie Wilcutt are vying for two town board seats. This lineup suggests possible shifts in leadership, marking one of Calypso’s more engaged election cycles in recent years.

In Faison, while incumbent Mayor Billy Ward is running unopposed, the real action is in the commissioner race, where incumbents Sandy McCarty, Juan Carlos Quintanilla and Ken Avent Jr. aim to retain their positions against challengers Alane Brewer Floyd and Joan Babcock.

Wallace also stands out as the town approaches its upcoming municipal election amid significant changes. Incumbents Mayor Jason Wells, Councilman Jason Davis and Councilwoman Tasha Herring-Redd are all seeking reelection, signaling continuity. At the same time, political newcomer Glen Price adds a twist to the race by challenging for a council seat. This election comes at a crucial moment for Wallace, which is experiencing notable growth and infrastructure expansion.

In contrast, neighboring towns like Beulaville, Kenansville, Magnolia and Greenevers are facing minimal competition, with incumbents running unopposed or with just enough candidates to fill the available seats.

In the lead-up to the election, Duplin Journal is preparing to bring voters in-depth Q&A features with their local candidates. Duplin Journal is also inviting the community to weigh in through a brief survey: Your Voice, Your Town. Tell us what matters most to you, and what questions you would like to ask candidates and current leaders. Visit tinyurl.com/duplinvotes25 to take the survey and get your answers before heading to the polls.

All candidates are invited to participate in the Q&A. If you are a registered candidate and have not received an invitation to participate, please send your email address to ena@northstatejournal.com to be included. Be sure to include “Candidate Q&A” and your town on the subject headline and we will email you the questions. Participation is completely free.

Beulaville

Beulaville has three municipal positions on the ballot: mayor and two town board positions.

Running for mayor:

• Incumbent Mayor Michael (Hutch) Jones

Running for commissioner:

• Incumbent Commissioner Delmas Highsmith

• Incumbent Commissioner Gene Wickline

Calypso

Calypso voters will decide three seats this year: mayor and two town board positions.

Running for mayor:

• Incumbent Mayor JoAnne Bowden-Wilson

• Incumbent Mayor Pro Tem Marvin “Marty” Taylor

Running for commissioner:

• Incumbent Larry Cashwell

• Newcomer Rodney Lambert Jr.

• Newcomer Willie Wilcutt

 Faison

Faison’s election includes the mayoral seat and three town board positions.

Running for mayor:

• Incumbent Mayor Billy Ward

Running for the town board:

• Incumbent Commissioner Sandy McCarty

• Incumbent Commissioner Juan Carlos Quintanilla

• Incumbent Commissioner Ken Avent Jr.

• Newcomer Alane Brewer Floyd

• Newcomer Joan Babcock

Greenevers

Greenevers voters will fill three town board seats.

Running for commissioner:

• Incumbent Commissioner Gregory Carr

• Incumbent Commissioner Timothy Murphy

• Incumbent Commissioner Roszena Devione-Bivens

Kenansville

Kenansville’s election includes the mayoral seat and two town board positions.

Running for mayor:

• Mayor Stephen Williamson Jr.

Running for the town board:

• Incumbent Commissioner Linda Tyson

• No candidates have filed for the seat currently held by Commissioner Kirk Bell.

Mount Olive

Running for mayor:

• Incumbent Mayor J. Jerome Newton

Running for Commissioner-at-large:

• Newcomer Harlie Junior Carmichael

• Newcomer Don Fairman

Running for Commissioner:

• Incumbent Delreese Simmons (District 2)

• Gena Messer-Knode (District 3)

• Camilla Loftin (District 4)

Magnolia

Magnolia has three town board seats up for election.

Running for Commissioner:

• Incumbent Jeanine Cavenaugh

• Incumbent Perry J. Raines

• Newcomer Michael Glenn Chestnutt

Rose Hill

Rose Hill’s election features the mayor and two town board seats.

Running for mayor:

• Incumbent Mayor Davy Buckner is running unopposed

Running for Commissioner:

• Incumbent Tashau Mathis

• Newcomer Perry Tully

• Newcomer Randy Barrios

Teachey

Teachey voters will elect two town board members.

Running for Commissioner:

• Incumbent Patrick Williams

• Incumbent Ethylen Carlton Powell

• Newcomer Danny Sutton

Wallace

Wallace has three positions on the ballot: mayor and two council seats.

Running for mayor:

• Incumbent Mayor Jason Wells

Running for Town Council:

• Incumbent Jason Davis

• Incumbent Tasha Herring-Redd

• Newcomer Glen Price

Warsaw

Warsaw’s election includes the mayor and two town board seats.

Running for mayor:

• Incumbent Anthony J. Connors

• Newcomer Wesley Boykin

Running for Commissioner:

• Incumbent Al Searles

• Incumbent Ebony Wills-Wells

• Newcomer Sheree Shepard

• Newcomer Kiara Smith

• Newcomer Cheryl Smith

Duplin Candidates
If you are a registered candidate and have not received an invitation to participate, please send your email address to ena@northstatejournal.com to participate in the Q&A. Be sure to include “Candidate Q&A” and your town on the subject headline and we will email you the questions. Participation is completely free.

Voters
Your Voice, Your Town — to take the survey visit: tinyurl.com/duplinvotes25

MAGNOLIA — With hopes of securing up to $950,000 in federal funding, the Town of Magnolia held the first of two public hearings at their monthly town council meeting, initiating its application process for a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) for Neighborhood Revitalization (NR).

“I think we can do a lot with that kind of money in this town,” said Town Manager Charles Banks.

The hearings are required to gather community input on how to allocate the funds. Eligible projects include housing rehabilitation or replacement, infrastructure improvements and public facilities.  Several potential projects were discussed, including the renovation of the town gym and converting the old town hall into a medical facility. Banks explained that these ideas are still preliminary, and community members are encouraged to suggest other projects and identify residents who may qualify for housing assistance.

“With one or two different things in the town, I think it would really make a big improvement,” Banks added. A second public hearing is scheduled for Oct. 14.

During public comment, Banks addressed questions from the audience. One resident raised concerns about the difference in tax rates between Magnolia and Duplin County and requested clarification.

The tax rate in Magnolia is currently $0.67 per $100 of property value, which is higher than Duplin County’s rate of $0.58. Banks explained that as a small town, Magnolia has limited revenue streams and fixed operational costs.

“Duplin County did go down on theirs a little bit,” said Banks. He explained that, unlike Duplin County, which benefits from multiple funding sources and a larger tax base, Magnolia lacks the flexibility to reduce its tax rate without compromising essential services.

“But we did not raise the taxes,” he added. Banks expressed hopes that upcoming improvements and better cost-saving systems might allow for tax relief in the future.

Another resident voiced her ongoing frustration about a blocked storm sewer grate at Carlton and Leaker Street, which fills with debris each year. Despite previous requests for cleanup, she stated that the efforts have been inconsistent and ineffective. She shared that last year, someone came to rake around it, but it “completely filled in again immediately,” and nobody returned to ensure that “the water can get into the storm sewer.”

This same resident also expressed concern about recurring issues with dogs running loose and attacking her cats. She inquired about animal control measures and their enforcement.

Banks explained that the town has a protocol in place; however, due to limited staffing, enforcement is reactive and relies on residents to report issues directly. If notified, the town can set traps with the property owner’s permission.

“The guys are doing everything. They do law enforcement and animal control. But we can set a trap if you will call us,” said Banks. “We will try everything we can within a couple of hours to get someone out there with a trap to set it.”

Another resident inquired about renovations at the town library, asking about its future use and the source of the funding. She also asked if there was any possibility of obtaining funding for youth-oriented projects. Banks explained that the building is being transformed into a multi-use community space for events, training and rentals. The renovations were funded through an old insurance policy that had never been claimed, with $13,000 identified and used — primarily for a new tin roof. Banks praised local contractors who provided discounted services to help the town stretch the limited funds.

“We’ve done everything you see with some really good contractors that wanted to help the town because they’d given us cheaper rates than what should have been,” said Banks. “They’ve done a lot of work that they didn’t charge for.”

On the financial side, Banks reported that Magnolia’s general fund currently totals $472,514 and the day-to-day operating account holds an additional $106,895.

“We’re drawing roughly $1,900 to $2,100 every month in interest. So this is increasing a little bit each month,” said Banks. He also shared that the town is preparing to switch banking operations from Truist to Southern Bank.

Commissioner Elvenia Wilson provided an update on street repairs, confirming that road patching efforts will begin soon. Between 10 and 15 critical pothole areas have been identified, with several located on Sandy Street, which residents have described as particularly rough. Due to limited funding, only the most severe spots are being prioritized at this time.