EDENTON — A message of collaboration, community engagement and forward-looking leadership took center stage Sunday as the Chowan County Democratic Party hosted a campaign kickoff introducing two candidates seeking to shape the county’s future.

Held on April 19, the event spotlighted Kathleen Miglorie, a candidate for County Commissioner in District 2 (Seat 2), and Kristy LaLonde, who is running for Sheriff of Chowan County. Both candidates used the occasion to outline their experience, priorities and vision, emphasizing pragmatic solutions and a commitment to addressing long-standing local challenges.

The photo shows Kristy LaLonde (left) and Kathleen Migorie (right) talking to folks at the campaign kickoff on Sunday at Edenton Bay Trading Company.

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Miglorie, a longtime project and communications professional, framed her campaign around a methodical, solutions-oriented approach informed by more than two decades of work on large-scale federal programs. Over the course of her career, she has supported complex initiatives valued in the millions and billions of dollars, coordinating across teams, managing risk, and ensuring clear communication among stakeholders.

She pointed to those experiences as directly relevant to the issues facing Chowan County, particularly as leaders grapple with demographic and economic shifts. Among the concerns she highlighted were population decline since 2010, an aging population, and the need to expand housing options, workforce opportunities and services for seniors.

Miglorie’s platform is organized around four central pillars—Community, Collaboration, Communication and Common Sense—which she said are intended to strengthen partnerships, improve transparency in county government and ensure responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars.

Her approach emphasizes careful planning and practical decision-making, with a focus on maintaining the county’s rural character while creating sustainable opportunities for future generations. By prioritizing collaboration and transparency, Miglorie aims to build trust between residents and the local government while advancing policies that support families and long-term growth.

While Miglorie’s remarks centered on governance and planning, LaLonde offered a deeply personal and professional perspective, shaped by years in law enforcement and subsequent work in mental health and substance abuse services.

LaLonde recounted that the majority of her law enforcement career—from 1998 to 2005—was spent working with the Eastern North Carolina Multi-Jurisdictional Narcotics Task Force. In that role, she collaborated with agencies across the region, gaining firsthand experience in drug enforcement and the complexities of interagency cooperation.

She later served with the Enfield Police Department, where she participated in community policing and youth outreach initiatives. While she noted she did not lead or develop at-risk youth programs, she emphasized her direct involvement in those efforts and her work alongside community members. During that time, LaLonde also established and led a senior outreach program to strengthen connections with older residents.

Through those experiences, LaLonde said she came to recognize limitations in traditional approaches to public safety. Despite the dedication of those working in the field, she concluded that existing strategies were not producing the outcomes communities needed.

That realization ultimately led her to step away from law enforcement—a decision she described as difficult but necessary for growth. By leaving the profession, she sought to gain new perspectives and deepen her understanding of the underlying causes of crime and community challenges.

In the years that followed, LaLonde expanded her expertise by working as a paralegal, earning a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice Administration and obtaining a Substance Abuse Counseling Certificate. Since 2019, she has worked in mental health and substance abuse services, focusing on reentry support and efforts to reduce recidivism through collaboration with community partners.

A turning point in her journey came in 2020, when she lost a lifelong friend to a fentanyl overdose. That experience, she said, reinforced her belief that public safety must go beyond enforcement alone and include compassion, mental health support and community trust.

Working daily with justice-involved individuals, LaLonde said she has witnessed the interconnected cycles of trauma, addiction and incarceration. Those observations have shaped her belief that meaningful change requires addressing root causes while providing hope and opportunities for those seeking a second chance.

“We can’t arrest our way out of every situation,” she said, emphasizing the need for investment in healing, second chances, and stronger communities.

Throughout her remarks, LaLonde stressed that effective public safety depends on shared responsibility and community involvement.

“This is not my office,” she said. “This is our office and we must work together.”

If elected, LaLonde would become the first woman to serve as sheriff in Chowan County, a milestone reflecting both her experience and her commitment to a more collaborative and responsive approach to leadership.

Audience members at the event echoed many of the themes raised by the candidates, particularly the need for greater coordination among law enforcement, treatment providers and prevention efforts. Concerns about substance use and community well-being prompted discussion about how different sectors can work together more effectively.

In response, LaLonde made clear that collaboration is a cornerstone of her campaign.

“That is the most important part of my platform and why I am running for this office,” she said.

Attendees also raised questions about transparency in local government, including how Timbermill Turbine tax revenues have been allocated, the current status of the senior center, and ongoing negotiations with Saga related to the development of the Hotel Hinton.

Broader concerns about the county’s future were also part of the discussion, including population decline, the outmigration of young people, persistent poverty and rising property costs. Residents indicated that these issues underscore the importance of long-term planning and open communication between elected officials and the public.

Both candidates expressed confidence in their ability to address those challenges, citing their backgrounds as evidence of their readiness to lead. Miglorie’s experience managing complex programs and budgets, combined with LaLonde’s blend of law enforcement and human services work, was presented as complementary perspectives aimed at strengthening the community.

Together, their campaigns highlight a shared emphasis on collaboration, transparency and practical solutions—an approach that resonated with attendees seeking new ideas and renewed energy in local leadership.

As the event concluded, both Miglorie and LaLonde reiterated their commitment to working alongside residents, community organizations and fellow officials to move Chowan County forward. Their messages, rooted in experience and shaped by a focus on cooperation, reflected a broader call for unity in addressing the county’s most pressing issues.