Hertford, NC — On the crisp evening of November 5, 2025, under the golden glow of autumn in the Albemarle Plantation, retired Judge Jerry R. Tillett (candidate for NC Senate District 1) and County Commissioner John C. Spruill (candidate for NC House District 1) unveiled a bold, shared economic vision for the region they both call home. Together, they are offering a tier-one team committed to faith, family, and regional prosperity.
Tillett and Spruill both emphasized that prosperity begins by supporting the homegrown businesses of eastern North Carolina — from agribusiness and fishermen to light manufacturers and entrepreneurs. Tillett pledged to elevate tourism, agribusiness, and small-scale industry; Spruill committed to unshackling farmers and small businesses from burdensome red tape and taxation.
They articulated that the next chapter of economic success depends on the region’s connectivity — through ports, rail, highways, broadband, and water systems. Tillett underscored the strategic importance of infrastructure that moves products and people; Spruill stressed that better roads, reliable internet, and resilient utilities are the job-creation engines of tomorrow.
Both candidates asserted that economic freedom undergirds prosperity. Tillett spoke of a constitutional stewardship rooted in faith and work ethic; Spruill outlined a plan of lower taxes, disciplined budgets, and family-first spending. Together, they invite families of the Albemarle region to keep more of what they earn and build more of what they own.
Tillett and Spruill made clear their focus isn’t just talk—it’s jobs. Tillett advocated for recruiting light manufacturers and growing entrepreneurship pipelines. Spruill is committed to targeted incentives and job-training programs that transform infrastructure into paychecks. They stood before a motivated audience, promising not slogans but opportunities.
Raised and rooted in this coastal corner of North Carolina, both men made faith and community central. Tillett — a judge turned candidate — drew on a lifetime living where land meets sound, where small towns thrive or falter on the strength of their people. Spruill — a county commissioner — brought local governance experience and a deep respect for hometown values.
On November 5, in front of an audience ready to believe in hope and growth, Tillett and Spruill committed to work together — one in the Senate chamber, one in the House — so the Albemarle region doesn’t just keep pace, but takes off. They promised to champion hometown jobs, hometown businesses, and a hometown faith that fuels effort.
– Jerry R. Tillett is a retired Superior Court judge seeking the NC Senate District 1 seat. He lives and works along the coast, driven by the belief that local businesses and infrastructure partnerships are vital.
– John C. Spruill serves as a Washington County Commissioner and is running for the NC House District 1 seat. He brings experience in county governance and a platform centered on fiscal discipline, small-business backing, and infrastructure investment.