By Miles Layton

As we near Election Day to close out the Republican Primary, I thought I’d cap off a contentious House District 1 race with a positive story about the candidates—John Spruill and Ed Goodwin. 

I’ve met and admire both men, so I thought a story about their virtues would go a long way to telling voters about the best qualities of each man, rather than have folks views shaped by politics. 

We are blessed by God to have good people running for office in Northeast NC. 

Early voting is currently underway and ends at 3 p.m. Feb. 28. The election is on March 3. For information on the primary election day and the most recent early voting data, visit our recent story featuring tips from the North Carolina Board of Elections.

Per the ballot order, John is the first profile.

‘Leadership is about service and partnership’

Since then, I’ve written about him as a leader of the Washington Board of Commissioners—lot of good things going on there—and as Roper Fire Chief. When there was a big fire at the Weyerhaeuser plant in Plymouth, John filled me in on what was happening, providing the Albemarle Observer with a big scoop as other media outlets slept. John’s available—a text away.

Farmer and businessman. Cares about his neighbors and community—John is one of those people that folks respect and gravitate too. 

Married to Terri, who has been by his side as he’s campaigned across the district. 

And you can tell that John is a faithful Christian, his family sits close to the pulpit on at Zion Chapel Church of Christ on Sunday morning, not in the cheap seats close to the exit doors. He’s lived a life dedicated to Christ’s teachings.

John has a vision for Eastern NC. Though there’s no doubt that John is a conservative, his approach to life and leadership is as a strong advocate for his community — principle and people over politics. 

As the Republican primary season nears its conclusion, Washington County Commission Chairman and Roper Fire Chief Spruill is reflecting on what he describes as a lifetime shaped by hard work, teamwork and disciplined planning — values he says have defined both his personal life and public service.

“As the primary draws to a close, I appreciate the opportunity to reflect on our work and the values that have shaped my leadership,” Spruill said.

Spruill traces his leadership philosophy back to his childhood on the farm.

“I learned what hard work meant at an early age,” he said. “Growing up, I worked alongside my grandfather on his farm, where I first understood responsibility and commitment.”

After his grandfather retired, Spruill continued working through high school and college on a 10,000-acre farming operation at Mike Harris’s farm. It was there, he said, that a defining lesson took root.

“Mike taught me a lesson that has stayed with me for life: when you start the day with a goal, you do not stop until that goal is finished no matter what obstacles come your way,” Spruill said.

Farm work rarely followed a clock, he added.

“On the farm, that did not mean quitting at five o’clock. It often meant digging potatoes until midnight or picking cotton until three in the morning. We worked until the job was done,” he said. “That experience instilled in me the value of perseverance, discipline, and finishing what you start.”

Spruill said he has sought to model and pass along that work ethic throughout his life — not only to his children, but also to those he has mentored.

“I have carried that work ethic with me ever since and have tried to teach it not only to my children, but to others I have mentored as a 4-H leader, Cub Master, Scout Master, Little League coach, GOP leader, church leader, Fire Chief, and County Commissioner,” he said.

“That same mindset has guided our work in public service.”

Strengthening Public Safety

Public safety has been central to Spruill’s service record. For more than three decades, he has served as a volunteer firefighter and now leads the Roper Volunteer Fire Department as chief.

“For more than 30 years, I have served as a volunteer firefighter and currently serve as Fire Chief of the Roper Volunteer Fire Department,” he said.

Under his leadership, he said the department has focused on modernization and readiness.

“In that role, we have worked together to modernize equipment, improve training, pursue grant funding, and strengthen readiness for our rural communities,” Spruill said.

He emphasized the unique responsibility of leading a volunteer department.

“Leading a volunteer department means working side-by-side with men and women who give their time freely,” he said. “We have built a culture of professionalism and accountability while never losing sight of why we serve our neighbors.”

Investing in Infrastructure and Schools

As a county commissioner — and now chairman — Spruill said long-term infrastructure planning has been a defining priority.

“As a County Commissioner and current Chair, we have focused on long-term infrastructure planning that will shape Washington County for generations,” he said.

Among the most significant initiatives is the county’s $70 million school consolidation project.

“We moved forward with the $70 million school consolidation project, strengthened emergency management planning, and prioritized responsible capital investment,” Spruill said.

He stressed that those efforts required cooperation across multiple sectors.

“These projects required collaboration among commissioners, educators, state partners, and community members,” he said. “We approached them not as political wins, but as generational commitments.”

Strategic Planning and Economic Development

Spruill describes the development and implementation of a comprehensive strategic plan as one of the county’s most important milestones.

“One of our most significant accomplishments was developing and implementing a comprehensive strategic plan for Washington County,” he said. “We did not want to operate year to year without direction.”

Instead, he said, leaders created a roadmap.

“We created a roadmap with measurable goals, implemented that plan, and have completed a substantial portion of it,” Spruill said. “Because of that progress, we are now actively working to revise and update the plan to reflect new opportunities and challenges.”

Economic development was another structural priority.

“In addition, we established a formal Economic Development Committee and hired an Economic Development Director,” he said. “We recognized that growth requires structure, accountability, and leadership.”

By formalizing those efforts, Spruill said, the county strengthened its competitive position.

“By putting those pieces in place, we positioned Washington County to compete for jobs, recruit investment, and better coordinate infrastructure improvements that support business growth,” he said.

Fiscal Discipline

Spruill said responsible budgeting has been a consistent focus throughout his tenure.

“In every budget cycle, we have worked to maintain strong reserves, plan strategically for future needs, and protect taxpayers,” he said.

He credits his professional background for shaping that approach.

“My professional background as Chief Estimator for a civil construction company has helped us evaluate projects carefully and think long-term,” Spruill said. “We have approached public funds with the same discipline and accountability expected in private industry — because those funds belong to the people.”

Supporting Agriculture and Fisheries

Spruill also highlights his advocacy for the region’s traditional industries.

“Eastern North Carolina’s economy depends on agriculture and commercial fishing,” he said.

He currently serves commercial fishermen through the Coastal Counties Fisheries Coalition and sits on the North Carolina Coastal Resources Advisory Council.

“In these roles, we work to ensure that regulatory policies balance environmental stewardship with economic reality,” Spruill said. “We advocate for policies that protect working waterfronts and preserve industries that define our region.”

Leadership Through Service

For Spruill, leadership is less about titles and more about presence.

“Leadership, to me, is about showing up when it matters most,” he said.

He drew parallels between emergency response and public office.

“On fire calls in the middle of the night, we depend on one another completely. There is no politics in that moment only service, trust, and teamwork,” Spruill said. “That same principle guides my work as a commissioner.”

He said collaboration has been the common denominator in every major accomplishment.

“I do not see public service as an individual accomplishment,” Spruill said. “Every success we have had from infrastructure projects to economic development initiatives has come from collaboration with fellow commissioners, firefighters, educators, business leaders, farmers, fishermen, and citizens who care deeply about Eastern North Carolina.”

A Defining Achievement

When asked to identify his biggest accomplishment for Washington County, Spruill pointed to structural stability.

“Our most significant accomplishment has been creating long-term stability through structured planning and disciplined execution,” he said.

He listed multiple elements that contributed to that stability.

“By developing and implementing a strategic plan, launching formal economic development leadership, investing in education infrastructure, strengthening emergency services planning, and maintaining fiscal responsibility, we built a foundation for sustained progress,” Spruill said. “We did not simply react to challenges we built systems designed to move the county forward.”

Looking Ahead

As the primary concludes, Spruill said he intends to carry his approach beyond the county level.

“At the end of the day, I believe leadership is about service and partnership,” he said. “Everything we have accomplished has been the result of people working together for a common purpose.”

“That spirit of collaboration is what I intend to carry forward,” Spruill added. “I will take the same farm-tested work ethic setting clear goals and not stopping until the job is done to Raleigh to work for the citizens of Eastern North Carolina.”

He closed with a call to voters.

“Our communities are strongest when our voices are heard,” Spruill said. “Voting is how we shape the future of our schools, our economy, our public safety, and our local communities. Every election matters, and every vote truly does make a difference and your vote for me will help make that difference.”

“Thank you again for the opportunity to share my story.”

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I’d say Ed is a man of character and principle who cares deeply about people, particularly those in rural places near and far across Northeast NC. 

Ed’s served as state representative for four terms — worked hard with then Sen. Bob Steinburg, and now Sen. Norm Sanderson, to run the table in Raleigh to bring home funding for projects in our region. He also led the state’s Ferry Division and served as a Chowan County Commissioner.

When asked questions, Ed gives honest answers, maybe to a fault. He’ll tell you what he thinks, to a fault. I remember seeing one very odd video that’s been circulating during this campaign cycle – so I’ll say again to Ed, avoid reporters. Most of them are leftist slime – or as Rush Limbaugh used to say, “useful idiots” minus the “useful” — shock troops deployed in an ideological battle to distract or brainwash.

Ed has spoken at many events over the years – “This amendment came out of the blue,” he said of the amendment as the heart of the Shrimpgate issue. “It skips past the scientific report the General Assembly itself commissioned. This isn’t just about shrimping — it’s about families, jobs, and an entire way of life on the coast,” he said in June as Raleigh waged a war against shrimpers and a way of life.

While acknowledging some early hurdles, Goodwin emphasized the economic potential of the Harbor Towns project. 

“When somebody tells me I can’t do something, that motivates me,” he said. “If that person thinks I don’t know what I’m doing, I wonder what they think about what they do. They’re doing absolutely nothing, and I’m doing something.”

Goodwin has built his legislative career around veterans advocacy, rural investment and public safety priorities, while drawing on earlier experience steering Chowan County through one of the most serious financial crises in its history.

Now serving District 1 in the North Carolina House, Goodwin has emerged as a senior lawmaker with influence in several key policy areas affecting northeastern North Carolina.

Leadership on Veterans and Military Affairs

As chairman of the House Homeland Security, Military, and Veterans Affairs Committee, Goodwin has leveraged his military background to shape legislation impacting veterans, active-duty service members and their families across the state.

In that role, he plays a prominent part in advancing bills tied to military communities, National Guard operations and veterans services. Supporters say his leadership position ensures eastern North Carolina — home to many veterans and military families — has a strong voice in Raleigh.

During his tenure, Goodwin has sponsored legislation addressing disabled veteran tax relief and motor vehicle tax exclusions, National Guard student loan repayment programs and employment preferences for military personnel. He has also supported measures focused on law enforcement cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement, as well as proposals aimed at protecting military installations and farmland from foreign purchase.

The legislation reflects a consistent focus on veteran support, workforce development and national security-related issues.

Agriculture and Economic Resources Funding

Goodwin also serves as Chairman of the Appropriations Committee on Agriculture and Natural and Economic Resources, a position that places him at the center of funding decisions for agriculture, rural economic development and natural resource infrastructure.

The role is particularly significant for his largely rural, coastal district, which includes Chowan, Currituck, Dare, Perquimans, Tyrrell and Washington counties.

As chairman, Goodwin has helped steer funding toward projects in his district, including securing money to help restore Hope House in Bertie County, Hayes Plantation and the Historic Kadesh AME Zion Church in Edenton. Those projects blend historic preservation with local economic development efforts tied to tourism and community revitalization.

Agriculture and fisheries have also remained a priority. Goodwin was the leading voice in the House opposing a shrimp trawling ban amendment added by the Senate to House Bill 442. The amendment was ultimately defeated, a move hailed by commercial fishermen along the coast. Goodwin has consistently described himself as a staunch advocate and supporter of North Carolina’s commercial fishing industry.

Infrastructure and Coastal Resilience

Goodwin has emphasized securing state resources for infrastructure improvements throughout northeastern North Carolina. His priorities have included transportation upgrades, rural broadband expansion and hurricane recovery and coastal resilience projects.

Eastern North Carolina communities frequently face hurricane impacts and flooding, making resilience funding a recurring concern. Goodwin has pointed to state investments in shoreline protection, drainage improvements and disaster recovery as examples of delivering tangible results to the district.

Broadband access in rural counties has also been a focus, as lawmakers seek to close gaps that affect economic development, education and healthcare access. Goodwin has backed rural broadband initiatives aimed at expanding high-speed internet to underserved communities.

Public Safety Support

Public safety funding has been another central theme of Goodwin’s legislative agenda. He has advocated for increased resources for sheriffs’ offices, law enforcement agencies and public safety infrastructure.

Among the tangible outcomes, Goodwin has secured more than $250,000 distributed to local volunteer fire departments across the district. Supporters say the funding has helped rural departments upgrade equipment and maintain readiness in communities where volunteers form the backbone of emergency response.

Goodwin has framed these efforts as part of a broader commitment to strengthening law enforcement and first responders in District 1.

Legislative Record

Over multiple terms, Goodwin has introduced and sponsored a wide range of bills aligned with his stated priorities.

In addition to veteran-related tax relief and National Guard programs, his proposals have addressed rural broadband services, employment policies favoring military personnel and measures tied to cooperation between North Carolina law enforcement and federal immigration authorities.

He has also supported initiatives aimed at protecting farmland and military installations from foreign acquisition, arguing that such measures are essential to safeguarding national security and preserving agricultural resources.

Chowan County Turnaround

Long before his service in the General Assembly, Goodwin was a central figure in what many residents describe as the financial stabilization of Chowan County during the mid-2000s.

At the time, the county was facing mounting debt, poor financial oversight and a risk of default on its obligations. Public services were deteriorating, and the county was widely viewed as being on the brink of bankruptcy.

Serving as chairman of the Chowan County Board of Commissioners, Goodwin became a leading figure in addressing the crisis.

His approach included implementing strict budget controls, restructuring county debt and improving financial transparency. He worked to restore credibility with lenders and state officials while pushing for disciplined fiscal management and long-term planning rather than short-term fixes.

Under his leadership and in collaboration with other local officials, the county avoided bankruptcy. Financial stability was gradually restored, and government operations were reorganized and strengthened.

Today, Goodwin is widely credited locally with helping preserve the county’s financial future during a period of deep uncertainty.

A District-Focused Agenda

From veterans’ issues to agriculture funding, coastal resilience and public safety, Goodwin’s record reflects a focus on rural and military communities in northeastern North Carolina.

Supporters argue that his leadership roles in key House committees have allowed him to deliver funding and influence policy decisions affecting District 1. Critics, as in any legislative career, may debate specific votes or priorities. But even political opponents often acknowledge his deep involvement in fiscal matters and district-level funding.

As the General Assembly continues to grapple with economic development, public safety and disaster recovery challenges, Goodwin’s legislative footprint remains closely tied to the needs of the coastal counties he represents — and to a governing philosophy shaped by both military service and a local financial crisis that tested his leadership years ago.