HYDE COUNTY — Local businessman and farmer Darren Armstrong has officially announced his candidacy for Republican Primary for North Carolina House of Representatives in District 79, bringing his deep roots in Eastern North Carolina and decades of community involvement to the political arena.
Armstrong, 53, was raised in the Grassy Ridge community of Hyde County and lived in Ponzer with his family until 2020. “We purchased a business in Beaufort County, just east of Belhaven, in 2020 and moved there at that time,” he said. Despite moving, Armstrong said his connection to Hyde County remains strong. “I love Hyde County for the people and the close-knit communities,” he said.
Folks are still filing to run for office before the Dec. 19 deadline, but so far, the Republican Primary is between Armstron and NC Representative Keith Kidwell, who is running for re-election for District 79. The primary election will be held on March 3.
A lifelong farmer and business owner, Armstrong and his family operate a seed conditioning business, noting that agriculture has long been a central part of his life. He is married to his wife, Dawn, and they have three sons: Jonah, Braden, and Trent.
Armstrong, a Republican, said his decision to enter politics comes from a desire to serve the community and preserve the values he grew up with. “I am running because I am a conservative Republican and this is my home where my roots run deep in Eastern North Carolina, and I know I can make a positive difference,” he said.
If elected, Armstrong said he has several priorities focused on economic growth, preserving local industries, and protecting individual freedoms. “I would like to keep agriculture our state’s number one economic driver, protect our commercial fishing industry, grow our small businesses and residential developments for the next generation, keep our timber industry viable, and preserve our 2nd amendment rights,” he said.
Armstrong also emphasized the importance of improving representation for the region in Raleigh. “I hope to build relationships and improve opportunities for District 79,” he said. He added that he has never run for office before, marking this as his first campaign for public office.
In addition to his professional work, Armstrong is deeply involved in civic and community organizations. Currently, he serves as a deacon at Pike Road Church of Christ, chairman of the Pungo Christian Academy Board of Directors, a trustee for Beaufort County Community College, and a board member for the Corn Growers of North Carolina.
His past civic involvement includes serving on the Hyde County Farm Bureau Board of Directors, the Hyde County Soil and Water Board, and as chairman of the Hyde County Chamber of Commerce. He has also held leadership positions with the Blacklands Farm Managers Association, US Grains Council, Maizall, and the Corn Growers of North Carolina, where he served as chairman.
“I believe my experience in agriculture and local business gives me a unique perspective on the challenges facing District 79,” Armstrong said. He stressed that protecting the economic and cultural backbone of the region remains a central motivator for his campaign.
With his campaign underway, Armstrong is seeking to connect with voters across the district and share his vision for sustaining and growing Eastern North Carolina’s economy. “This is my home, and I want to make sure our communities thrive for the next generation,” he said.
Armstrong’s campaign highlights a focus on the agricultural and commercial fishing sectors, support for small businesses, and protection of Second Amendment rights — issues he believes are vital to the future of District 79.
As the election approaches, Armstrong said he hopes to engage residents directly to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing the district. “I know I can make a positive difference,” he said, reinforcing his commitment to public service and community-focused leadership.
2 responses to “Hyde County Native Darren Armstrong Announces Run for NC House, District 79”
This is wild. Representative Kidwell has been absolutely championing gun rights, supporting small businesses, defending farms (even microdairies across our entire state), spoke up loudly for our shrimping industry and has a strong consistent track record. Check out Representative Kidwell in action here: https://grnc.org/wp/ Darren Armstrong’s true decision to go into politics was born of a personal vendetta Representative Dixon has against the Freedom Caucus CHAIR Keith Kidwell. Dixon sent a text to Kidwell letting Kidwell know Dixon recruited Darren. Dixon btw has had multiple calls to action against him from gun right groups because he refuses so far to support a veto override on SB50, constitutional carry. Armstrong is a tool that needs to step aside. We don’t need an out of touch globalist guy pretending to be one of us trying to pick off the Freedom Caucus Chair. Hoping the voter isn’t fooled.
I agree. Darren is being used by men who hate Keith for his impeccable conservative record. Darren’s platform sounds just like Keith, so why is he running?- causing division in the party, weakening our stand against the democrat agenda. If he would discreetly look into the farm legislation he would discover that Keith is standing FOR the Farmers and is protecting them. And I do not believe Darren will protect commercial fisherman. I pray the voters will not be deceived by this generally impressive guy, but the wrong choice for district 79!