By Miles Layton

EDENTON — Chowan County Republicans gathered Thursday evening at Town Hall heard a message they have long been waiting for: Eastern North Carolina deserves a fighter in Raleigh who understands budgets, infrastructure and the value of answering the phone when constituents call.

John Spruill, a lifelong resident of the region and candidate for the North Carolina House, delivered a speech that mixed humor, sharp rebuttals to critics and a clear call to action.

From Thursday’s GOP meeting, the Albemarle Observer covered Laurie Buckhout’s speech, so we figured that, since Spruill made one last stump speech, too, we might as well give him his due, same as we would do and have done for any other candidate.

Reminder — no matter who you support, early voting ends Saturday and the Primary Election is Tuesday, March 3. Make your voices heard!

And you may want to READ something we posted at the end of the story — Spruill calls out Goodwin on accountability.

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From accusations of “out-of-state money” to the crumbling infrastructure across the 1st District, Spruill spoke plainly and confidently about why he is running — and why he believes the momentum is on his side.

“Folks, I wanted to clear up one thing on this number that I’ve been accused of taking out-of-state money and out-of-state influence, that I’ve been influenced,” Spruill began. “And I want to tell you, it is absolutely true. It is 100% true because my stepbrother, Brad Riley, lives in Indiana and he sent me a total of $100.”

The room laughed as Spruill continued.

“So I just wanted to set that record straight, that everybody knows that it is 100% true that I have taken out-of-state money from my brother.”

With that, Spruill pivoted to his background and his reason for running.

“So now that we got all that stuff out of the way, my name is John Spruill. I’m running for the North Carolina House seat. I grew up right across the pond here, right across the Chowan River in Washington County. Lived there my whole life, me and my wife Terry.”

Spruill made clear that his campaign has been a family effort.

“I have to say that I really appreciate my wife (Terri) and her willingness to allow me to do this,” he said. “It has taken a tremendous amount of time going around to all the events and meeting all the people and shaking hands and meeting people, and it’s been well worth it.”

Without her support, he said, it would not be possible.

“If I didn’t have her support, I sure couldn’t do it. But thank you, honey, for that.”

The couple has four children and five grandchildren.

“We have a beautiful family and enjoy them deeply,” he said.

Rooted in the Soil of Eastern North Carolina

Spruill’s life story reflects the fabric of the district he hopes to represent.

“Grew up on a farm, so that’s where I got my roots,” he said. “I started with my grandfather and then went to work for a larger farming operation and went off to East Carolina University, got a degree in construction management and a degree in criminal justice.”

Construction management, he said, is where he found his calling.

“I am a construction chief estimator for a site work company over in Washington, North Carolina. We do site work all over eastern North Carolina,” Spruill said. “I estimate $200 million worth of work every year and have personally installed right at $500 million worth of work on my own. Not me doing the work, but managing that.”

In addition to his private-sector experience, Spruill currently serves as a county commissioner, working on multiple budgets.

“I’m a county commissioner working on 4 different budgets. We’re working on our 4th budget this year,” he said. “So I know how to deal with money. I know how to do budgets. I know how to manage stuff. And I know infrastructure, which is what we need in Eastern North Carolina.”

Crumbling Infrastructure, Stalled Growth

Spruill did not mince words about what he sees happening across the region.

“Folks, our infrastructure is crumbling. Our water plants, our sewer plants, our infrastructure to deliver those things throughout the counties, they’re crumbling,” he said. “They’re old. They need upgrading.”

At the same time, he argued, state resources are flowing elsewhere.

“When you look at where all the money’s going, the money’s going in the middle of the state. It’s not going to the western counties, it’s not going to the eastern counties, and we’re getting left behind,” Spruill said.

He pointed to stark statistics on business formation.

“If you look at the business formation, 54,000 new businesses formed in Wake County, and all the counties in the 1st District is way below that,” he said. “4 of them in the 90th percentile. That’s almost dead last. One of them is dead last.”

“Folks, that’s unacceptable. We can do better.”

Population trends tell the same story.

“We’re losing population. Four of the counties are losing population because why? We don’t have jobs for our kids to work. We don’t have good-paying jobs for them to go to work.”

For Spruill, this is not an abstract policy debate. It is personal.

“I tell my wife all the time, I want my kids and my grandkids to be our next-door neighbors, and they can’t be right now because we don’t have the jobs for them to do that here.”

A Life of Service — And Answering the Phone

As he travels the district, Spruill said he has been overwhelmed by the response.

“I have met some really incredible people. Some really incredible people,” he said. “It really warms my heart, especially when I’m looking at Facebook and I’m looking at messages and I’m getting phone calls. John, I voted for you today. I’m voting for you tomorrow. I’m telling my whole family to vote for you. We’re pulling for you.”

One call in particular stood out.

“I had a guy call me the other day,” Spruill said. “He said, John, I looked your number up. I wanted to call you because I’m having a problem.”

The man who lived on Knott’s Island told Spruill he had been unable to reach his current representative.

“I’ve been trying to get in touch with my representative and I can’t get a phone call back. I can’t get a text message. I can’t get a meeting,” the caller said, according to Spruill.

Spruill’s answer was simple.

“I said, sir, I’m not trying to be funny or anything like that. But I answered your call today, didn’t I? And I’ll continue to answer your call. And I’ll continue to answer everyone’s call that needs help in eastern North Carolina, because that’s who I am.”

That commitment, he said, defines his campaign.

“I have lived a life of service, and I will continue to live a life of service as long as every one of you in this room allows me to do that by going and voting for me. And sending me to Raleigh, not for me, but for all of us.”

He framed the race as an opportunity for Eastern North Carolina to finally have a strong voice in the state capital.

“I want to go be in Raleigh to be everyone in this room’s voice, to work for you, to bring what we need back to Eastern North Carolina,” Spruill said. “We’ve been overlooked for far too long, and I intend to change that with your help.”

Trump, Tariffs and Grassroots Momentum

Spruill also shared a story from the campaign trail that underscores the political climate of the district.

He and a supporter stopped at Larry’s Dine-In Drive-In in Hertford, where a group of men were discussing President Donald Trump’s tariffs and recent Supreme Court developments.

“I said, are you folks into politics?” Spruill recalled. “They said, sure, we sure are. We were just talking about the tariffs.”

Spruill introduced himself.

“I pulled it out and I said, well folks, I don’t know where you’re from, but my name is John Spruill, I’m running for the North Carolina House seat. I really would appreciate your support if you’re able to vote for me.”

The response surprised him.

“The older gentleman, he said, you know what, sir? I’m glad to meet you. I’m from Currituck County and I just voted for you this morning.”

“I said, sir, you don’t know how much I appreciate you.”

That kind of reception, Spruill said, is happening all over the district.

“So that’s what I’m hearing all over the district. The momentum is in our favor.”

Call to Action

Spruill closed with a straightforward appeal that reflected both his grassroots style and the urgency he feels.

“We just need to keep it going, folks,” he said. “Tell your friends and neighbors to go vote for John Spruill. If they can’t get there, pick them up, carry them there, pull a bus up there, rent a bus, do something.”

“Get them to the polls and vote for John Spruill.”

For Chowan County Republicans, the message resonated: a farm-raised construction manager who knows how to balance budgets, understands infrastructure, answers his phone and believes Eastern North Carolina deserves its fair share.

Spruill Campaign Calls for Accountability and Truth in Public Service Amid Misleading Claims by Rep. Ed Goodwin

Last note – our story from earlier in the week mentioned that Rep. Ed Goodwin had secured more than $250,000 to be distributed to local volunteer fire departments across the district, with Roper VFD as an example.  

Further inquiry revealed that one of Goodwin’s staffers, not Goodwin, had misspoke – Roper did not receive funds. Thus, I clipped that from the story and reached out to Spruill’s campaign for comment, particularly since it’s Roper VFD where Spruill serves as chief.

Spruill’s campaign provided a statement:

As a lifelong resident of Washington County, Chairman of the Washington County Board of Commissioners, and Fire Chief of the Roper Volunteer Fire Department, John Spruill has dedicated his career to serving Eastern North Carolina with integrity, transparency, and a focus on real results for our communities.

Recent events highlight a troubling pattern from incumbent Representative Ed Goodwin. In an article published by the Albemarle Observer detailing Rep. Goodwin’s legislative efforts on public safety funding, including more than $250,000 secured for local volunteer fire departments across District 1, an inaccurate claim was made that funds had been directed to the Roper Volunteer Fire Department, where Spruill serves as Chief.

Upon Spruill’s direct questioning and provision of facts, the publication amended the article to remove the erroneous reference. This is not an isolated incident; Rep. Goodwin has a documented history of making claims that do not align with the facts, only to see corrections or clarifications required after challenges.

“Public service demands honesty and follow-through,” said Spruill. “When representatives stretch the truth about funding, community impacts, or their own record, it erodes trust in our institutions. As Fire Chief and County Commissioner, I know firsthand how critical accurate information is for our volunteer departments and local governments. We cannot afford leaders who prioritize political points over verifiable reality.”

Furthermore, vague insinuations in public comments—such as those implying misuse of state funds by Washington County without providing evidence cast unfair doubt on the hard work of our county employees, commissioners, and staff. Washington County operates under strict state and federal oversight, including regular audits, and adheres to rigorous rules for all funding. Baseless hints at impropriety, especially during an election season, distract from the real issues facing District 1: supporting first responders, improving infrastructure, addressing economic challenges in rural areas, and ensuring every tax dollar is used responsibly.

North Carolinians in District 1 deserve better. They deserve a representative who:

• Follows through on commitments with transparency and accuracy.
• Lifts up our communities without misleading statements or selective facts.
• Works collaboratively to deliver for volunteer fire departments, law enforcement, and all first responders not just claim credit.

John Spruill has proven his commitment through decades of service as a volunteer firefighter, community leader, and commissioner. He fights every day for better equipment, training, and support for emergency services; stronger rural infrastructure; and honest, accountable governance.

“The voters of District 1 deserve a representative who tells the truth, delivers results, and puts people over politics,” Spruill added. “I am running to bring that kind of leadership to Raleigh one grounded in integrity, experience, and a genuine dedication to our shared future.”