The 2018 candidacy announcement states: “He has a Bachelor’s Degree in Fire Science and spent many years teaching management, emergency and medical response classes on a college level.”

Patrick Harris Announces Candidacy For Johnston County Commissioner

The 2018 candidacy announcement states: “Patrick and his wife Victoria reside in Smithfield and has a daughter, Taylor Anne, who lives in Raleigh.”

Patrick Harris has a bachelor's degree in fire science. He lives in Smithfield with his wife, Victoria, and has a daughter.

Patrick Harris Announces Candidacy For Johnston County ...

The 2018 candidacy announcement states: “Patrick retired as Director of Emergency Services for the Town of Smithfield where he was responsible for municipal fire and emergency medical services management budget oversight and administration for the Fire and EMS Departments.”

The 2018 candidacy announcement states: “From July 2011 until November 2017, Patrick served as Chief Executive Officer and CFO for Smithfield Crossings Family Healthcare, PA, Urgent Care of Smithfield, PA, and was co-founder and managing member of Harris Health, LLC. Patrick led both corporations to a successful merger with Med First Immediate and Primary Care in November 2017.”

The 2018 candidacy announcement states: “Patrick has spent 30 years in emergency response management with a background ranging from the NC Division of Forestry to Federal Emergency Management Agency, where he served on the Southeast Regional Response Team from 1986 to 1994. Patrick was a State Emergency Management Coordinator, Fire & EMS Instructor, and a Fire / Arson Investigator.”

Patrick retired as director of emergency services for the Town of Smithfield. He previously served as chief executive officer and chief financial officer for Smithfield Crossings Family Healthcare and Urgent Care of Smithfield, and co-founded and managed Harris Health. He also worked as a state emergency management coordinator, fire and emergency medical services instructor, and fire and arson investigator.

The May 2022 Smithfield Weekly Sun report states: “Patrick Harris won election to a second term on the Johnston County Board of Commissioners as representative of District 5, which includes Smithfield. He along with Commissioners Dickie Braswell and Butch Lawter – all registered as Republicans – have no opposition in November's election since no Democrats filed for their seats.”

Smithfield Weekly Sun, May 19, 2022

Patrick was elected to a second term on the Johnston County Board of Commissioners representing District 5, which includes Smithfield, in 2022.

the Smithfield Weekly Sun

2026 North Carolina General Election

The June 15, 2026 county budget release says the adopted plan reduced the property-tax rate from 52 cents to 51 cents per $100 of valuation, fully funded Johnston County Public Schools' request, and largely funded Johnston Community College's request. Harris said: “We were able to reduce the tax rate while still making the investments our community expects,” said Commissioner Patrick Harris, the Board’s chairman. “Funding the requests from Johnston County Public Schools and Johnston Community College demonstrates our commitment to education and workforce development without losing sight of our responsibility to taxpayers.”

Johnston County Adopts Balanced Budget While Reducing Tax Rate and Fully Funding Public Schools | Johnston County Government | Johnston County, North Carolina

Supports reducing property taxes while funding public education and workforce development.

- Supports reducing property taxes while funding public education and workforce development.

Economy

As of April 6, 2026, Patrick Harris’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Public Services

Housing & Urban Development

In the June 15, 2026 budget release, Harris connected additional county positions to public safety, emergency response, and 911 communications: “As Johnston County continues to grow, we have to make sure essential services keep pace,” Harris said. “These additional positions will strengthen public safety, emergency response, and 911 communications so residents continue receiving the level of service they deserve.”

Supports additional county positions for public safety, emergency response, and 911 communications.

- Supports additional county positions for public safety, emergency response, and 911 communications.

Public Safety

The June 15, 2026 county release quoted Harris describing the adopted budget's investments: “This budget reflects a balanced approach to meeting the needs of a growing county,” Harris said. “It invests in education, public safety, employees, infrastructure, and community organizations while reducing the tax burden on property owners. Commissioners worked hard to ensure this budget serves both today's residents and future generations.”

At its November 3, 2025 meeting, the Johnston County Board of Commissioners awarded a $3.62 million contract for a sewage pump station and force main serving Corinth-Holders Elementary School. The official recap states: “Awarded a $3.62 million contract to build a sewage pump station and force main to serve Corinth-Holders Elementary School. The Corinth-Holders Fire Department will contribute $142,105 to the project. Commissioners agreed to seek reimbursement for the rest from the Johnston County Board of Education. Only Commissioner Patrick Harris voted against that plan. He said that whether the money came from school or County coffers, it would still come from Johnston taxpayers.”

Board Of Commissioners Meeting Recap for November 3, 2025 | Johnston County Government | Johnston County, North Carolina

Supports investing in county infrastructure through the budget while reducing property taxes.

Voted against seeking reimbursement from the school board for a sewage project, saying the cost would still come from Johnston taxpayers.

- Supports investing in county infrastructure through the budget while reducing property taxes.
- Voted against seeking reimbursement from the school board for a sewage project, saying the cost would still come from Johnston taxpayers.

Transportation & Infrastructure

Energy & the Environment

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Patrick Harris

Patrick Harris has a bachelor 27s degree in fire science. He and his wife, Victoria, live in Smithfield. They have a daughter.

Patrick is retired. He previously served as the director of emergency services for the Town of Smithfield. He also worked as the chief executive officer and chief financial officer for Smithfield Crossings Family Healthcare, PA, and Urgent Care of Smithfield, PA. He was also a state emergency management coordinator, fire and EMS instructor, and fire/arson investigator. 

Meet Patrick E. Harris - Johnston County

Patrick is currently a member of the Johnston County Board of Commissioners representing District 5. He was first elected in 2018. He ran for re-election in 2022 but did not win.

Patrick Harris (Johnston County Board of Commissioners District 5 ...

Supports job creation through incentives, citing Vulcan Elements as a project that could create a thousand local jobs without financial risk to the county.

As County Commissioner, oversaw the expansion of water and sewer plants to ensure future capacity for growth.

Supports land conservation efforts, including the preservation of farms and natural areas.

Patrick Harris has a bachelor 27s degree in fire science. He and his wife, Victoria, live in Smithfield, North Carolina. They have a daughter.

Patrick is retired. He previously served as the director of emergency services for the Town of Smithfield. He also worked as the chief executive officer and chief financial officer for Smithfield Crossings Family Healthcare, PA, and Urgent Care of Smithfield, PA. He is a co-founder and managing member of Harris Health, LLC. Earlier in his career, he worked for the North Carolina Division of Forestry and the Federal Emergency Management Agency. 

Patrick is currently the chairman of the Johnston County Board of Commissioners. He previously ran for the Johnston County Board of Commissioners, District 5, in 2022 but did not win.

Meet the Commissioners - Johnston County Government

For Candidate Patrick Harris on Issue economy: Supports job creation through investment in local businesses, emphasizing the importance of incentives for projects that can create significant employment opportunities without financial risk to the county.

For Candidate Patrick Harris on Issue Transportation & Infrastructure:  
Supports completing expansions of water and sewer plants to accommodate future growth in Johnston County.

For Candidate Patrick Harris on Issue energy-and-environment:  
Prioritizes preserving farms and natural areas, having supported the preservation of over 950 acres in partnership with local conservation organizations.

Pavel Tantchev

Buket Urgen

- 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.