On her campaign biography page, Hewett writes: “I am a Brunswick County native who, after spending several years living in the Piedmont of North Carolina, returned home with a deeper appreciation for community and local values.”

Meet Patti

Hewett’s campaign biography lists community leadership and service, including: “Capital Campaign for Lower Cape Fear Lifecare of Brunswick - Volunteer 2008-2012.”

Hewett’s campaign biography lists community leadership and service, including: “Brunswick County Sheriff’s Tidings of Joy Program - Founder.”

Hewett’s campaign biography lists community leadership and service, including: “Brunswick County Sheriff’s Charity Foundation- Founder/Board Member.”

Hewett’s campaign biography lists: “Camp United Methodist Church Shallotte, NC - Member.”

Patti Hewett is a Brunswick County native who returned home after living for several years in North Carolina's Piedmont. She volunteered with the Capital Campaign for Lower Cape Fear Lifecare of Brunswick from 2008 to 2012 and founded the Brunswick County Sheriff’s Tidings of Joy Program and the Brunswick County Sheriff’s Charity Foundation. She is a member of Camp United Methodist Church in Shallotte.

Patti Hewett has 30 years of experience with the Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office.


2026 North Carolina General Election

Addressing county spending, Hewett said: “I also believe we need to take a much closer look at how taxpayer dollars are being spent. Some departments are being asked to do more with less, while other areas continue to spend more. Before approving additional funding, I will ask: Why is it needed? What problem does it solve? What will it cost taxpayers? And how will we measure whether it worked?”

Patti Hewett 2026 candidate questionnaire | Port City Daily

Hewett said of county spending: “I am not saying we should cut funding where it is genuinely needed. I am saying we need to stop, regroup and look at the entire picture. Taxpayer money deserves the same accountability we expect in our own household budgets. We need to prioritize needs over wants, essential services and public health over unnecessary spending, and measurable results over simply continuing the status quo.”

Prioritizes essential services, public health, and measurable results when reviewing county spending.

- Prioritizes essential services, public health, and measurable results when reviewing county spending.

Economy

Asked about school capital needs, Hewett responded: “I support responsible investment in our schools as Brunswick County grows. Our children deserve every opportunity possible to succeed, and our community has a responsibility to provide safe and appropriate places for them to learn.”

In her school-capital answer, Hewett added: “I also want to invest in and upgrade our county parks so children and families have places to play, exercise and spend time together. We need to think about year-round opportunities as well as summer activities for our children.”

Supports responsible investment in schools as Brunswick County grows.

Supports "responsible" investment in schools as Brunswick County grows.

Wants to invest in and upgrade county parks for children and families.

- Supports "responsible" investment in schools as Brunswick County grows.
- Wants to invest in and upgrade county parks for children and families.

Public Services

In a candidate questionnaire response about matching infrastructure to incoming development, Hewett said: “But identifying the problems is only the first step. We need policy changes that actually address them. I support infrastructure before density, making growth pay its fair share, modernizing our UDO and land-use regulations, protecting existing communities, strengthening transportation planning, planning for schools before the rooftops arrive, protecting our water supply and requiring measurable accountability from county government.”

On her campaign priorities page, Hewett writes: “Growth isn’t the problem. Growth without accountability is. Make sure growth pays its own way. Require developers to plan and fund the infrastructure needed for sustainable, long-term growth.”

Priorities

Discussing development authority, Hewett said: “I also appreciate the legislature returning development approval authority to the board of commissioners. But I believe we need to go further. If our local legislators truly want to help the citizens who elected them, they should give Brunswick County the authority to make responsible decisions about down-zoning when local circumstances warrant it.”

Under campaign priorities for county growth, Hewett writes: “Plan before approving growth, not clean up problems later. Make sure infrastructure and services keep pace. Be transparent about long-term costs and impacts. Stop large-scale land clearing that worsens flooding, harms water quality, and damages nearby neighborhoods.”

Supports requiring infrastructure before higher-density development and having growth pay its fair share.

Advocates for requiring infrastructure before higher-density development and having growth pay its "fair share."

Calls for state authority for Brunswick County to change zoning to allow less development when local circumstances warrant it.

Opposes large-scale land clearing that worsens flooding, harms water quality, and damages nearby neighborhoods.

- Advocates for requiring infrastructure before higher-density development and having growth pay its "fair share."
- Calls for state authority for Brunswick County to change zoning to allow less development when local circumstances warrant it.
- Opposes large-scale land clearing that worsens flooding, harms water quality, and damages nearby neighborhoods.

Housing & Urban Development

Asked about the county’s Flock camera program, Hewett answered: “If I were on the board today, I would vote to stop the use of Flock cameras immediately. There are too many unanswered questions for me to support continuing the program at this point.”

On any potential continuation of the Flock camera program, Hewett said: “Public safety and individual privacy can coexist. But before I would support any Flock camera program, I would want those questions fully answered. I will not simply rubber-stamp a surveillance program. I will ask the hard questions, demand transparency and make protecting the privacy and constitutional rights of Brunswick County citizens a priority.”

On her campaign priorities page, Hewett writes: “With 30 years of service in the Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office, I know public safety comes first. As your County Commissioner, I will support law enforcement, fire, and emergency services. I will work to improve storm readiness, emergency response, and infrastructure so our communities are prepared when it matters most.”

Opposes continuing the Flock camera program unless outstanding questions about transparency, privacy, and constitutional rights are addressed.

Plans to support law enforcement, fire, and emergency services.

- Opposes continuing the Flock camera program unless outstanding questions about transparency, privacy, and constitutional rights are addressed.
- Plans to support law enforcement, fire, and emergency services.

Public Safety

Asked about alternatives for the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge, Hewett responded: “At this time, I lean toward the 135-foot option, primarily because of our traffic and transportation needs. I also believe we should continue examining whether other design and funding options are possible before making a decision that will affect this region for generations.”

On infrastructure and growth, Hewett said: “I also want regular growth-accountability reports so citizens can see whether infrastructure is keeping pace with development. Growth is not going to stop. Our planning has to catch up.”

Leans toward a 135-foot Cape Fear Memorial Bridge option while continuing to examine design and funding alternatives.

Wants regular reports showing whether infrastructure is keeping pace with development.

- Leans toward a 135-foot Cape Fear Memorial Bridge option while continuing to examine design and funding alternatives.
- Wants regular reports showing whether infrastructure is keeping pace with development.

Transportation & Infrastructure

On per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contamination, Hewett said: “Brunswick County has taken substantial steps to address PFAS, but I do not believe the problem is fully resolved. We need to continue investing in effective treatment, regularly testing our water and, importantly, continuing to pursue the source of contamination and accountability.”

In the same answer on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), Hewett said: “Brunswick County should not simply accept treating contaminated water forever. We need to continue pursuing the source, protecting our water supplies and making sure every resident has access to safe, reliable drinking water.”

Asked about data-center regulations, Hewett answered: “When it comes to data centers, I believe the state should establish clear, consistent baseline standards addressing environmental protection, energy use, water consumption, noise, tax incentives and regional impacts. But local governments should have the final say on whether a specific project fits their infrastructure, land-use plans and community needs.”

Explaining her data-center position, Hewett said: “Brunswick County is already facing tremendous growth and infrastructure challenges. The very last thing I believe Brunswick County needs right now is a data center.”

Supports continued water treatment and testing while pursuing contamination sources and accountability for pollution from per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances.

Calls for state standards for data centers and local authority over whether projects fit community needs.

Opposes locating a data center in Brunswick County at this time.

- Supports continued water treatment and testing while pursuing contamination sources and accountability for pollution from per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances.
- Calls for state standards for data centers and local authority over whether projects fit community needs.
- Opposes locating a data center in Brunswick County at this time.

Energy & the Environment

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Patti Hewett

- Wants to invest in and upgrade county parks for children and families.

- Calls for state authority for Brunswick County to change zoning to allow less development when local circumstances warrant it.
- Opposes large-scale land clearing that worsens flooding, harms water quality, and damages nearby neighborhoods.

Patti Hewett is a member of her local church.

Patti has 30 years of experience with the Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office.

Wants to "protect what makes Brunswick County special — our land, our water, and our way of life— while making sure growth is smart, accountable and fair to the people who already live here."

- Wants to "protect what makes Brunswick County special — our land, our water, and our way of life— while making sure growth is smart, accountable and fair to the people who already live here."

As of September 2, 2026, Patti Hewett’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Buket Urgen

Sara Singer

- County Commissioners create and pass laws at the county-level. These laws show up in very tangible ways, such as determining how much you pay property and sales tax rates, public transportation, and maintaining infrastructure.
- County Commissioners are responsible for preparing and passing the county budget. The budget determines how much funding goes to various public services, such as public transportation, law enforcement, repairing roads, and maintaining infrastructure.
- County Commissioners oversee the administrative duties of your county’s government to ensure the safety, comfort, and well-being of county residents.
- County Commissioners can create, change, or abolish offices, positions, departments that are not required by law. 
- County Commissioners are elected to 4-year terms, with no term limits. Typically, you only vote for the County Commissioner that represents your county commission district.

Creates new laws and passes the budget for your county.