John Nash

02/23/2026

Current publicly released polling for the March 3rd Republican Primary has been limited to an Emerson College Polling/WNCT/CBS17 survey conducted February 6–8, 2026, which shows a close race for the Republican nomination:

Candidate Support %
Laurie Buckhout (Retired Army Colonel) 26%
Asa Buck (Carteret County Sheriff) 22%
Bobby Hanig (State Senator) 11%
Eric Rouse (Lenoir County Commissioner) 5%
Undecided 35%

Key Voter Demographics:

• Gender Split: Women voters favor Buckhout (26%) over Buck (17%), while men are nearly evenly divided (Buck 27%, Buckhout 26%).

• Unaffiliated Voters: This group breaks for Buckhout (26%) over Buck (16%) and Hanig (16%).

• Top Issues: Republican primary voters cited the economy (37%) and immigration (18%) as the most significant issues facing the state.

Next Public Poll Results:

WUNC News will release their polling results on February 27, 2026

If no candidate receives at least 30% of the vote in the March 3rd primary, a runoff election may be held on May 12, 2026.

02/23/2026

Trey, I share your concerns.

This law lets zoning move only one way (up in density) while locking everything else in place, making it harder for towns to fix real problems, all under the guise of “property rights.”

12/07/2025

This trend is why Unaffiliated voters are becoming the biggest voting block in North Carolina.

This is a chart of North Carolina's voter registration by party. It's fascinating, because underneath it are so many undercurrents:

- Republicans have not grown their % of the electorate since 1988, but have become far more competitive statewide
- Democrats have halved their % of the electorate since 1988, but remain formidable at all levels
- Neither party is growing, and voters are overwhelmingly choosing to register Unaffiliated

It would be incorrect to presume that "Unaffiliated" voters are all swingy independents. In reality, the vast majority are what's called "shadow partisans" who consistently vote in a straight ticket. There are also some registered Democrats who actually vote Republican, and registered Republicans who vote Democratic.

The future of North Carolina's electorate - and probably America's - is unaffiliated voters, and both parties will have to work to appeal to them.

11/28/2025

https://www.carolinacoastonline.com/news_times/article_7dcb173c-8d08-4a82-a168-80d102148c44.html

CEDAR POINT — Following municipal election results earlier this month, Cedar Point swore in a new town commissioner, Don Redfearn, and incumbents Jerry Riggs and Pamela Castellano to the five-member

11/26/2025

My tenure as a Town of Cedar Point Commissioner ended at last night’s Board of Commissioners meeting. I was recognized for my service prior to Commissioners Pamela Castellano Jerry Riggs and new Commissioner Don Redfearn were sworn in by Town Clerk Jayne Beyer.

I have been very honored and privileged to serve the Town in various capacities from 2016 until last night. First as chairman of the CEDARFEST town festival committee; as a member, vice chairman and later chairman of the Planning Board; member of the Board of Adjustment until finally being appointed and later elected as a town commissioner. I served for two years as Mayor Pro Tem.

I want to thank Mayor Scott Hatsell and Commissioners Frankie Winberry, Pamela Castellano, Gary Bray, Jerry Riggs and Don Redfearn, along with Town staff, for their friendship and service.

11/16/2025

I am a strong advocate for the proposed by-pass between Swansboro and Newport as well as the third bridge to help relieve traffic on our already over burdened roads and highways.

CEDAR POINT — A popular Morehead City establishment that serves coffee and cocktails, Mug Shot, is opening a second location in Cedar Point.

08/03/2025

Rendering of the proposed new Carteret Health Care Center & Emergency Department planned for Cedar Point. Waiting approval of the required Certificate of Need from the State.

08/01/2025

I am excited to announce that St. Peter's by the Sea Episcopal Church in Swansboro will begin taking orders on Monday, August 4th for live ($25) and cooked lobsters ($28) for its Saturday, September 27, 2025 LobsterFest.

I am especially proud to announce that we will be adding lobster rolls this year! The lobster rolls will be served with chips and a cookie, and will sell for $24.

All money raised will benefit local charities in Onslow and Carteret Counties.

Please buy as many lobsters and lobster rolls as you can, and help us in our Community outreach by promoting this sale to your friends, family and neighbors!

06/14/2025

I am excited to announce and share video of the Town's new electronic sign which is now operational at the corner of Cedar Point Blvd and Sherwood Ave. The old town sign has been relocated to the front of Town Hall. The new sign will keep citizens informed of pertinent information and provide emergency instructions during Hurricane Season and other emergency situations.

06/11/2025

I just finished up speaking at a public hearing this morning at the Western Carteret Branch of the Carteret Public Library System concerning an application for a Certificate of Need by Carteret Healthcare to build a medical center including a 24-hour emergency department in Cedar Point.

Below are my public comments:

"Good morning. My name is John Nash, and I am a Town Commissioner in Cedar Point.

I am here today speaking in support of the application for a Certificate of Need by Carteret Healthcare for its proposed medical center located on Cedar Point Blvd. in Cedar Point.

I voted in support of this proposal when it came up for a vote before the Town’s Board of Commissioners in 2021.
Cedar Point is the economic and medical care hub of Western Carteret, making the Town the ideal location for the proposed medical center.

Western Carteret, in turn, would benefit from having a proposed medical facility which could offer imaging, outpatient surgical services, and a much-needed emergency care unit in addition to the proposed medical offices.

The Site offers ample space for expansion if needed, ensuring that citizen’s medical needs will be addressed well into the future.
The facility will be an “economic driver” by creating and sustaining new and future jobs; as well as attracting new businesses and services to locate near it.

I do want to take a moment to focus on one critical need, and future benefit of having this new facility in Cedar Point, which is the enormous benefit of having an emergency room staffed in Western Carteret.

There is no doubt in my mind that countless lives will be saved as a result.

Having this facility will allow Western Carteret Fire & EMS and surrounding departments to quickly transport patients; and then quickly return to service to be ready for the next call.

Thank you."