ELIZABETH CITY — With the primary season fast approaching, four Republican candidates for the North Carolina General Assembly shared their platforms, personal stories, and appeals for support during a campaign event hosted by the Pasquotank PAC.
The gathering, held recently at the home of Executive Board member Dr. Timothy Witwer, brought together candidates for two NC Senate District 1 — Jerry Tillett and Jay Lane — and the NC House Districts 1 and 5 — John Spruill and Bill Ward, respectively , along with dozens of local voters seeking to meet them in an intimate setting.
The evening opened with longtime local civic figure Joe Hollowell, who framed the event as both political and personal. “I mean, we tell old stories that people don’t even believe when we tell them. But it’s the truth,” he said, drawing laughs from the crowd before turning serious. “We came here tonight to talk about people running for office, to have the opportunity to come together and fellowship and get to know one another well is the main thing. And I think that has definitely, definitely happened.”
From the photo — that’s Hollowell in the center of the room serving as the master of ceremonies. He’s known far and wide across our region, perhaps considered as the “godfather” of local politics.
Hollowell emphasized that running for office is an act of service. “When people offer themselves for service, and we have to remember that, that’s what they are doing, offering themselves for service. And if they don’t serve, you know what? It’s up to us to kick their butt out.” Turning to Rep. Bill Ward, he added, “Isn’t that right, Bill?” Ward responded, “Yes it is.”
Whether you are a Democrat or Republican, candidates/political parties — if you want to reach out to the Albemarle Observer, see mileslayton1969@gmail.com — Democracy is too important not to cover.
Tillett Opens the Slate
Hollowell introduced the first candidate of the night: retired Superior Court Judge Jerry Tillett, now running for the open NC Senate District 1 seat. Hollowell recalled his late mother’s high regard for Tillett. “My mama told me one time that he is a good guy. And I really like him.”
Tillett, who noted his long local lineage and record of public service, thanked the hosts. “Thank you for, uh, being here, and thank you for putting this on and giving, offering the hospitality of your beautiful home,” he said. “Many of you I already know. I just want to tell you that, for those of you who do not know me, I’m Jerry Tillett, lifetime resident of this district.”
He described his background and core values succinctly. “I’m a conservative, I’m a Christian. I’ve been involved in public service and a businessman all of my professional life.”
Tillett directly asked voters for support, noting he had forgotten to do so at a previous event. “So I’m asking for your vote,” he said with a laugh.
He also invoked the state motto: “I think that together we can be the right voice for the right time. I will say that that motto is so precious to us all, ‘Esse quam videre,’ to be rather than to seem… It’s not what you say, it’s what you do.”
Tillett previewed his campaign platform by pointing voters to his website — tilettforsenate.com — promising specific policy proposals tailored to the region’s diverse counties. He said real-life events spurred him to run. “The catalyst for me, at first having said no several times, was after I witnessed not only the lawfare and the intimidation, and the attempt to silence a voice, a conservative voice, a Christian voice… but the last straw, the catalyst was when they assassinated Charlie Kirk.”
He closed by comparing the moment to the biblical account of Queen Esther. “If you remain silent at a time like this, then you and your family will perish. So at a time like this, I’m asking to be your voice, the right voice at the right time.”
Jay Lane: New Face, Local Roots
Next to speak was Jay Lane of Gates County, Tillett’s opponent in the Senate primary. Hollowell joked that Lane was a relatively unknown figure until recently: “To be perfectly honest with you, most of us probably never even heard of him until about a month ago.”
Lane, a farmer with family ties throughout northeastern North Carolina, embraced that underdog image. “I’m used to being an unfamiliar face,” he opened. He described his upbringing working with cattle. “You develop a certain sense of patience, you know, working with livestock.”
His personal story — growing up in Gates, attending school in Hertford County, buying his first home in Camden, and now farming land across four counties — shapes his candidacy. “I’m deeply invested in this district, I’m deeply invested in my family and my business, and I want the best for it moving forward,” he said.
Lane said he originally went to Raleigh only to advocate for agricultural issues. But when he received a call asking if he would run for Senate after Sen. Bobby Hanig launched a congressional campaign, he reconsidered. “I think it would be a good fit,” he said.
Lane stressed that conservatives must work together, even when they disagree. “It’s essential that we send someone to Raleigh that can work with these people, but also be a voice for the folks at home, because ultimately they are the ones who send us there.”
He cited concerns about regulation affecting farmers and fishermen and defended his stance against a proposed coastal trawling ban. “The reason that I’m running is to protect our livelihoods and the way we live and our heritage.” Paraphrasing Donald Trump, Lane added with a grin, “I’m gonna coin the term trawl, baby, trawl.”
Lane closed with holiday well-wishes. “Y’all have a happy Thanksgiving and thank you so much for having me tonight.”
Rep. Bill Ward Seeks Third Term in House District 5
The third speaker was Rep. Bill Ward, the Republican incumbent for NC House District 5, which includes Camden, Pasquotank, Gates, and Hertford counties. Hollowell introduced him as “everybody’s friend.”
Ward thanked the hosts and recalled how long he has known Tillett. “I have known Jerry Tillett for, since he was a defense attorney, that’s been 100 years ago,” he joked. He also praised Lane as “a very young, nice young man.”
He described the geographic breadth of District 5 and asked eligible voters for support as he seeks a third term. “First of all, I’m a Christian…. second of all, I’m a conservative, and third, I’m a Republican. And that’s the way I live my life.”
Ward outlined what he sees as major ideological battles in Raleigh, saying Democrats had opposed many Republican-backed bills in the legislature. “We’ve seen them do things in the legislature, as well as within the communities as they go out, that are abhorrent to us and our values.”
He sharply criticized Gov. Josh Stein, calling him “a stone liberal” and “worse than our former governor, Cooper.” Ward said retaking a supermajority was essential. “We have to do something to stop him.”
He updated attendees on the ongoing state budget impasse, attributing delays to Senate-House disagreements. “We’re willing to compromise to a certain extent. They just don’t want to compromise on what they got in their budget.”
Ward ended with a direct appeal: “I’m gonna ask you for your vote if you live in District 5… please spread the word so that we can keep our majority and hopefully attain our supermajority.”
Spruill Makes His Case in House District 1
The evening’s final speaker was John Spruill, candidate for NC House District 1. Hollowell introduced him as a close friend: “This young man is gonna be probably the most effective representative we could possibly ever have, because he has got more between the ears than anybody I… hell, I thought I was smart.”
Spruill thanked the hosts and joked about speaking last. “We’re gonna have to talk about the speaking order from now on because now everybody’s four times hungrier than they were on that first call.”
He asked attendees to watch and share his new campaign ad. “The more that that gets shared, the more that that message gets out to folks that I care about Eastern North Carolina, that I care about your families… that we share common values in our family, beliefs, and in God.”
Spruill highlighted low voter turnout in local elections as a major challenge. “Elections have consequences,” he said before recounting Plymouth City Council’s recent vote to remove a food pantry. “They evicted the food pantry… and she voted to close the food pantry in Plymouth.”
Spruill is absolutely right — let’s backtrack a moment here for folks who may have not seen our stories, click this link to read about Plymouth Town Council’s decision to evict the longtime food panty — yes, they did that — pantry’s last day is Dec. 1. Between 80-100 families relied on the food pantry, probably more over the holidays, but council closed it over a dispute involving a lease that may be missing, depending on who you talk to. Soon after the votes were cast in Plymouth’s municipal election, Mayor-elect Crystal Davis and her allies on council wanted the pantry gone, so it is gone — elections have consequences.
Spruill called such decisions “pure evil” and said electing conservative candidates at every level was essential. He urged attendees to visit SpruillforNCHouse.com, volunteer, and help spread his message.
Spruill will file officially on Monday. “We’ll see what happens on… December the 19th at 12:00 noon. We’ll see who we’re working against.”
A Call for Unity Ahead of the Primary
Throughout the evening, candidates emphasized shared values, even amid competitive primaries. Lane said “unity is a good thing,” while Ward emphasized that voters, not politicians, hold the ultimate power. Hollowell himself reminded the crowd that loyalty must always flow to the people: “Our loyalty is to the people that we help, who have sent us to whatever office we hold.”
As the event closed, Thanksgiving well-wishes filled the room — a moment of camaraderie before the 2026 campaign cycle intensifies across northeastern North Carolina.