6 vie for Onslow County commissioner in March primary

The candidates include incumbents Royce Bennett and Tim Foster, former commissioner Walter Scott, and newcomers Whitney Cantrell, Tyler Googe and Elliot Jarman.

The top three vote-getters from the March 3 primary will face Democratic candidates Rebecca Cooper and Michel Leandre Jr. in the November general election.

The candidatesBennett has been a commissioner since 2016 and is also a realtor and the owner of Shepherd Shoppe Christian Book Store. He’s a church deacon and formerly was the music director at Blue Creek Baptist Church.

Bennett is chair of the Onslow Water and Sewer Authority, chair of the local Salvation Army board and the founder of Onslow Strong. He spent 14 years in law enforcement and was a certified Emergency Medical Technician by age 16.

Bennett holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from N.C. Weslyan College and lives in Onslow County with his wife of 41 years, with whom he has several children and grandchildren.

Cantrell was born and raised in Hubert and graduated from Swansboro High School. She has worked in the automotive industry for 17 years and currently manages her 63-year-old family business, Excel Body Works, along with two towing and recovery companies.

Cantrell has served on advisory boards for the Eastern North Carolina Regional Skills Center and Coastal Carolina Community College, and also previously was on the local Kiwanis board.

Additionally, Cantrell said she supports several local nonprofits and serves as a child court advocate with Guardian ad Litem. She is married to her high school sweetheart, with whom she has two children.

Foster is finishing up his second term as a commissioner, during which he’s served as chairman since 2024. He is a lifelong resident of Onslow County, born and raised, and is a graduate of Southwest High School.

Foster has a bachelor’s degree in history from the University of North Carolina Wilmington and a master’s degree in school administration from East Carolina University. He spent 31 years working in the Onslow County Schools district as a teacher, coach, assistant principal and principal.

Currently, Foster is the part-time OCS athletic director/coordinator. He also serves on various boards and committees, including the Topsail Island Shoreline Protection Commission, the Beach, Inlet and Sound Committee and the Juvenile Crime Prevention Committee.

Foster has been married to his wife, Tashia, for 35 years, with whom he has two sons and a granddaughter. They are also members of Antioch Evangelical Presbyterian Church.

Jarman was born and raised in Richlands and is a graduate of Richlands High School. He runs Jarman’s Pest Control with his father and is the president of the Richlands Volunteer Fire Department, where he’s served as a volunteer firefighter for more than 20 years.

Jarman is also married with a young son.

Scott previously served as a commissioner before being unseated in 2024. He is an Onslow County native and a retired U.S. Army veteran.

Scott said he is a Christian, conservative and pro-life. He is a former law enforcement officer, a former volunteer firefighter, a Veterans of Foreign Wars life member, a Disabled American Veterans life member and a National Rifle Association member.

Scott is also a former president of the Jacksonville Breakfast Rotary Club.

Googe did not respond to requests for interview by deadline.

Candidate prioritiesBennett said his record speaks for itself and he’s proven to be responsive to all, adding that his door is always open.

“I care about the future of our families and the communities where they live, work and grow,” Bennett said. “I want to continue leading Onslow County with your needs as my guide.”

Bennett said the county is heading in the right direction, and he wants to make sure they control spending, while also providing a high-performing government with a debt management plan and long-term strategies.

He said Emergency Medical Services response times and new station locations are a priority, as well as identifying a permanent funding source for volunteer fire departments.

Bennett said that while growth is a challenge, it’s also a blessing.

“It is the job of commissioners to manage the growth and provide the infrastructure to support it, such as more parks, ballfields and recreation facilities,” he said.

“Looking to the future, I will continue to work to keep taxes down and to ensure that essential services, parks and schools will accommodate our growing communities.”

Cantrell said she is running for office because of her deep involvement in the community and her firsthand understanding of the challenges that face working families, small businesses and public services. She said she believes her small business experience has given her clear insight into how county decisions directly impact families and local businesses.

“I believe a board built with diverse experiences, backgrounds and perspectives is a board that serves everyone best,” she said. “The county must represent all residents, especially those in unincorporated areas who rely on county leadership as their primary voice.”

Cantrell said her work has led her to meet people during some of the toughest times of their lives, and helping others is something she values deeply.

“Those experiences have shaped my ability to problem-solve, listen with compassion, go the extra mile and work together for a greater cause,” she said.”

Cantrell is also focused on responsible growth, saying roads, schools, public safety and community services must keep pace with development. She pointed to schools being over capacity and emergency calls continuing to rise.

Her campaign focuses include economic growth and workforce opportunities, including for those transitioning from military service, as well as investing in local youth and being transparent and collaborative with the community.

“By expanding programs, sports, mentorship and skill-building opportunities through community involvement and volunteer support, we can keep young people engaged, prepared and confident,” Cantrell said.

“We want them to grow up to succeed and give back to the very community that helped shape them.”

Cantrell said residents deserve to be informed, involved and heard, and she’d like to see greater engagement through meetings and towns halls.

Foster said he is running for reelection because Onslow County is at a critical moment in its growth, with demands on infrastructure, public safety, schools and services continuing to increase.

“I believe experienced, steady and community-centered leadership is essential to ensure that growth is managed wisely and responsibly,” he said.

During his tenure, Foster said he’s worked to move the county forward by strengthening public safety, investing in economic development and expanding opportunities for youth and families.

He also said he is focused on practical solutions that deliver real benefits to residents.

“My service is shaped not only by policy experience but by a lifetime of working with people in classrooms, on athletic fields and in our neighborhoods,” Foster said. “I understand the challenges facing families, teachers, small businesses, veterans and first responders because I have worked with them and for them.”

If reelected, priorities for Foster include having strong infrastructure and reliable public services, well-supported first responders, youth development, economic opportunities that support local families, education and workforce readiness, and a solid and sustainable funding mechanism to fund volunteer fire departments.

He said he brings a leadership style that is accessible, collaborative, accountable and forward looking.

Jarman said he’s running for commissioner because he believes the voices of everyday citizens and volunteer fire departments have not been heard.

“My experience as a small business owner and fire department president has given me real insight into budgeting, leadership and the challenges our county faces as it grows,” he said.

Jarman said his priorities include improving public safety and EMS, ensuring fair support for volunteer fire departments, and managing growth in a way that protects taxpayers while also strengthening infrastructure.

“I’m not a career politician,” he said. “I’m a lifelong resident who wants to make sure Onslow County remains a safe, affordable place for families for generations to come.”

Scott said he is running for office to be a true voice for Onslow County residents.

He said he wants to make a difference, stand up for what is right, and ensure they are doing everything possible to save taxpayers money.

“We have got to get rid of wasteful spending, take care of what we have, rebuild what we have and make plans for the ones that we love so much — our children,” Scott said. “Make the difference for them.”

He said priorities for him include sustainable growth, promoting industrial businesses to bring new jobs to Onslow County and investing in water and sewer infrastructure.

Scott said one of his most important concerns is the county budget, and he will make every effort not to raise the county tax rate and to adjust the revaluation period.

Scott also believes in good education.

“It is a strong priority for me that our students are safe within our schools and in our communities,” he said. “I will work with the Board of Education to ensure that all students have a clean and safe classroom environment in which to learn.”

Early voting for the March 3 primary begins on Feb. 12.

Residents can vote early Feb. 12-13, Feb. 16-20 and Feb. 23-27 from 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. and on Feb. 28 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Early voting locations include the Onslow County Board of Elections, at 246 Georgetown Road in Jacksonville; the Jacksonville Commons Recreation Center, at 100 Recreation Lane; the Onslow County Museum, at 310 S. Wilmington St. in Richlands; the Sneads Ferry Public Library, at 1330 N.C. 210; and the Swansboro Recreation Center, at 830 Main St. Ext.