Manteo, NC — On a warm late-Fall Thursday evening, with a soft breeze rolling off Shallowbag Bay, supporters flooded the historic venue for Jerry Tillett’s campaign fundraiser for North Carolina Senate District 1. The crowd grew so large that organizers opened the second floor, yet even then, dozens stood outside in the parking lot—determined to hear what many called “the right leader at the right time.” The venue, known for its broad porches, water views, and coastal charm, offered the perfect backdrop for a message centered on community, heritage, and accountability.
Tillett began by making clear that he is not running to gain political power for its own sake. He emphasized that the Albemarle region has been underserved and unrepresented for far too long, and that his campaign belongs not to Raleigh insiders but to the people who call this region home. He said he is not seeking endorsements from the fat cats in Raleigh, nor is he interested in being guided by fast-living political influencers disconnected from Eastern North Carolina. “I want to hear from the people of this region,” he said. “I will not be bought and paid for by outsiders. The voices we need to lift are our working watermen, our farmers, our small business owners, our community leaders, and our stakeholders.”
He reminded the crowd that although he has not received support from the conservative establishment, he will remain committed to conservative principles unless a vote threatens local industries. He stated plainly that he will not be part of any effort that destroys the livelihoods or heritage of the Albemarle region. “I stand against actions that take away industry,” he said. “I will not be party to destroying the working traditions that have sustained families here for generations.”
Tillett drew from his 33 years of experience as a judge, noting that few candidates understand the region’s challenges more deeply. He has seen the toll of substance abuse in criminal cases, the strain in civil disputes between small businesses, and the pressure families face across the district. “Who better to know what’s broken—and how to fix it—than someone who has confronted these issues daily in the courtroom?” he asked.
He spoke about the shared issues across the 10-county district: over-regulation that stifles business growth; underused ports and underdeveloped rail lines that could anchor a stronger regional economy; lost opportunities to attract manufacturing and light industry from Tidewater; young people leaving due to a lack of jobs and affordability; rising insurance rates; infrastructure concerns along the NC Highway 12 corridor; and inconsistent support for law and order. Although each county may need a different approach, Tillett stressed that the problems are common and the solutions require cooperation. “We all have to work together,” he said, “because our values deserve to be heard in Raleigh.”
He reflected on the grit and determination of the ancestors who once washed ashore on rum barrels after shipwrecks, or who walked inland from the Outer Banks to carve out sustainable farms in the Inner Banks. “They didn’t wait for Raleigh to save them,” he said. “They built their lives and their communities one tide, one season, one harvest at a time. That same spirit still lives in our people.”
As the evening wound down, Tillett lightened the moment by asking the crowd whether he should keep his well-worn “lucky hat” for the campaign. The crowd answered in unison: “Keep the hat!”
The night closed with a clear impression of who Jerry Tillett is and what he offers: experience forged through service, judgment refined through decades of decision-making, and a steadfast commitment to standing up for the people of the Albemarle region. His working life reflects the kind of steady, grounded leadership that can carry the region forward with confidence and purpose. For more information or to join the campaign, visit TillettForSenate.com.