Carolina Journal reports on the two candidates vying for the open House District 16 seat:

State House District 16, Pender and eastern Onslow counties.

  • Carson Smith. Occupation: Sheriff of Pender County. Education: Topsail schools. Career highlights: 34 years of public safety experience. Pender County emergency management coordinator/fire marshal during five hurricane disaster declarations: Bertha, Fran, Bonnie, Dennis, and Floyd. Current president of the N.C. Sheriff’s Association.
  • John Johnson. Occupation: Retired after 30-plus years at AT&T. Runs small business and family farm. Education: master’s in business administration from The Citadel, Military College of South Carolina; bachelor’s degree in business administration from University of North Carolina-Wilmington. Pender High School. Career highlights: AT&T project manager overseeing large information technology projects.

Democrat John Johnson of Burgaw and outgoing Republican Pender County Sheriff Carson Smith of Hampstead agree that providing a pro-business climate is what’s needed to give N.C. House District 16 an economic jolt. But their approaches couldn’t be more different.

The candidates are squaring off in the Nov. 6 general election to fill the open seat. Incumbent GOP Rep. Bob Muller isn’t seeking to retain the office. He was appointed to the position in September 2017 to replace Chris Millis, who resigned. The district leans Republican, according to the N.C. FreeEnterprise Foundation, which closely tracks elections.

Read more here, including Smith and Johnson’s stance on various issues.