Dorothy Royal earned a Bachelor of Science in criminal justice with a minor in equine science from Pace University in New York. She lives in Holly Ridge, North Carolina, with her husband, Richard "Ricky" Royal, and their two children. She chaired the Holly Ridge Bee Festival in 2023.

Dorothy is the owner and operator of Surf City Guns and Ammo, Pearly Valley LLC, and Paradise Axe and Arcade. She is also a columnist for Topsail Times Newspaper and a host for The Raeford Brown Show on 97.1 Freedom Radio.

SURF CITY CANDIDATE PROFILE: Dorothy Royal | News | jdnews ...

Dorothy previously ran for city council in Surf City in 2017, but did not win.

Supports online permitting to simplify the process for businesses.

Believes too much budget is allocated to police and town employee salaries, and wants to focus more on Fire and Rescue and updating services.

Believes too much money is allocated to police and town employee salaries, and wants to focus more on Fire and Rescue and updating services.

- Supports online permitting to simplify the process for businesses.
- Believes too much money is allocated to police and town employee salaries, and wants to focus more on Fire and Rescue and updating services.

Economy

Candidate Questionnaire: Dorothy Royal for Holly Ridge Mayor

Supports reviving community festivals like the Holly Festival to enhance local culture and holiday traditions.

Supports reviving community festivals like the Holly Festival and 4th of July fireworks.

Said, "We need to catch up to all our neighboring communities when it comes to transparency through having all meetings live and in real time as well as accessible to viewers at a later time. These meetings need to include regular town meetings, special meetings and planning board meetings."

Supports having all town hall meetings live in real time and accessible to viewers at a later time.

- Supports reviving community festivals like the Holly Festival and 4th of July fireworks.
- Wants to improve community relations.
- Supports having all town hall meetings live in real time and accessible to viewers at a later time.

Public Services

Opposes residential construction in Hampstead, citing overcrowded schools and strained services.

Supports the development of long-term RV parks as a form of affordable housing.

- Opposes residential construction in Hampstead, citing overcrowded schools and strained services.
- Supports the development of long-term RV parks as a form of affordable housing.

Housing & Urban Development

As of September 4, 2025, Dorothy Royal’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Public Safety

Supports constructing a new water tower, and perhaps even one on each side of Hwy 17, to ensure that existing and new buildings have ample water pressure.

Supports constructing a new water tower or two to ensure that existing and new buildings have ample water pressure.

Believes the presence of two electricity suppliers in Holly Ridge is confusing and problematic, as demonstrated during Hurricane Florence when Duke Power customers lost power while Jones Onslow customers did not, despite being across the street from each other.

Believes the presence of two electricity suppliers in Holly Ridge is confusing and problematic, and only Jones Onslow should provide electricity.

- Supports constructing a new water tower or two to ensure that existing and new buildings have ample water pressure.
- Believes the presence of two electricity suppliers in Holly Ridge is confusing and problematic, and only Jones Onslow should provide electricity.

Transportation & Infrastructure

Believes schools are overcrowded and supports slowing residential construction to allow services, including schools, to catch up.

- Believes schools are overcrowded and supports slowing residential construction to allow services, including schools, to catch up.

Education

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Dorothy Royal

Dorothy Royal earned a bachelor of science in criminal justice with a minor in equine science from Pace University in New York. She lives in Holly Ridge, North Carolina, with her husband, Richard "Ricky" Royal, and their two children, Raquel and Colt.

Dorothy's campaign for Holly Ridge Mayor is her first entry into politics. 

Believes schools are overcrowded and supports slowing residential construction to allow public services to "catch up."

Opposes residential construction in Hampstead, citing overcrowded schools and increased demand on local services.

As of September 4, 2025, Dorothy Royal did not have a website or any information online.

- The mayor leads the executive branch of local government, presiding over city council meetings, making sure city departments run smoothly, and providing services to citizens. 
- The mayor attends and runs City Council meetings, serving as an important leader for how local laws get set. These laws affect local services, such as Police, City Planning, Parks & Recreation, and Transportation.  
- The Mayor in some circumstances may vote to break a tie in council meetings. They do not have veto power.