Carson is the elected sheriff of Pender County, where he has served for 16 years. He has worked in public safety for 35 years. 

Carson is currently a member of the North Carolina House of Representatives, representing District 16. He was first elected in 2018 and re-elected in 2020, 2022, and 2024. Before serving in the North Carolina House, Carson served as the sheriff of Pender County.

North Carolina House of Representatives District 16 - Ballotpedia

A look at who filed in the 2026 tri-county elections | Port City Daily

Carson is currently a member of the North Carolina House of Representatives, representing District 16. He was first elected in 2018. He also previously served as sheriff. 

Supports promoting business and worker interests, and reducing government intervention.

Supports improving infrastructure to support business and prevent isolation during emergencies.

- Supports promoting business and worker interests, and reducing government intervention.
- Supports improving infrastructure to support business and prevent isolation during emergencies.

Economy

As of January 2, 2026, Carson Smith Jr.’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Energy & the Environment

Healthcare

Voting & Elections

Public Safety

Supports increased funding for education and addressing salary compression for experienced teachers.

Supports increased funding for education, increasing starting pay, and addressing salary compression for experienced teachers.

- Supports increased funding for education, increasing starting pay, and addressing salary compression for experienced teachers.

Education

Foreign Policy and Immigration

Instagram

Facebook

Carson Smith Jr.

Carson was the elected sheriff of Pender County, where he served for 16 years. He has worked in public safety for 35 years. 

Carson is currently a member of the North Carolina House of Representatives, representing District 16. He was first elected in 2018. 

As of January 2, 2026, Carson Smith did not have a website or any information online.

- Supports increased funding for education and addressing salary compression for experienced teachers.

Carson Smith

As of January 2, 2026, Carson Smith’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Emileigh Crouch

Buket Urgen

Joshua Patti is from Holly Ridge, North Carolina. He attended Slippery Rock University in Pennsylvania, where he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in history. He also holds two master’s degrees in education and a master’s degree in history. He lives with his wife and seven children in a small-town neighborhood near the beach in Holly Ridge.

Joshua Patti has master's degrees in history and education. He lives with his wife, Nicole, and eight children in Holly Ridge.

Joshua is an education professional. He works at a private education services company that provides services to public, private, and homeschooled students. He previously taught Government in public schools for 16 years.

Joshua Patti is currently the Mayor Pro-Tem of Holly Ridge. He previously ran for Holly Ridge Town Council in 2023. Patti declared his candidacy for the North Carolina House of Representatives District 16 Republican primary scheduled for March 3, 2026.

Joshua currently serves as a town council member for Holly Ridge. He was first elected in 2023, and is in his first term.

Believes development should be sensible and respect the character of communities through thoughtful zoning, conservation, and smart land use.

Supports permitting, zoning, and compliance that is "clear and predictable" for the benefit of small businesses. 

Supports expanding broadband access in rural areas.

- Believes development should be sensible and respect the character of communities through thoughtful zoning, conservation, and smart land use.
- Supports permitting, zoning, and compliance that is "clear and predictable" for the benefit of small businesses. 
- Supports expanding broadband access in rural areas.

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

Supports lowering healthcare costs through transparency, competition, and cost control.

- Supports lowering healthcare costs through transparency, competition, and cost control.

Helped create the Fire Medic Program "to strengthen emergency response and better support emergency medical services" 

Supported adding police officers to match community growth.

- Helped create the Fire Medic Program "to strengthen emergency response and better support emergency medical services" 
- Supported adding police officers to match community growth.

Supports investments in public education by focusing on academic outcomes, reducing educator burdens, and making effective funding decisions.

Supports school voucher programs that allow parents to use public funds to enroll their children in schools beyond their local options, including private schools.

- Supports investments in public education by focusing on academic outcomes, reducing educator burdens, and making effective funding decisions.
- Supports school voucher programs that allow parents to use public funds to enroll their children in schools beyond their local options, including private schools.

Joshua Patti

Joshua Patti lives with his wife, Nicole, and eight children in Holly Ridge.

- Believes development should be sensible and respect the character of communities through thoughtful zoning, conservation, and smart land use.
- Supports business permitting, zoning, and compliance that is "clear and predictable."
- Supports expanding broadband access in rural areas.

- As a town council member, helped create the Fire Medic Program "to strengthen emergency response and better support EMS services" and added police officers to match community growth.

- Supports investments in public education by focusing on academic outcomes, reducing burdens, and making effective funding decisions.
- Supports school voucher programs that allow parents to use public funds to enroll their children in schools beyond their local options, including private schools.

Supports affordable local youth programs, like summer camps and recreational sports leagues, to benefit Holly Ridge families and address the growing need for accessible pre-school and toddler care.

- Your State Representative participates in the legislative process at the state level. They are one of 129 members of the North Carolina House of Representatives. The North Carolina House of Representatives is the lower house of the North Carolina General Assembly (the state's lawmaking body).
- Your State Representative drafts laws, approves budgets, has oversight of the state executive branch, and debates and votes on proposed laws.
- In addition to drafting and voting on bills, your State Representative can serve on committees. This is important because many bills can be stalled in committee, preventing them making it to a vote.
- Your State Representative is responsible for representing your interests. They also are responsible for helping you navigate the state's services and bringing back resources to your district.
- State Representatives are elected to a 2-year term. There is no term limit.

Your representative and state lawmaker in North Carolina House of Representatives.

North Carolina State Representative, District 16, Republican Primary

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