C. Travis Martin

    My name is Clinton Travis Martin, and I have filed to run for Beaufort County Commissioner because I believe our communities deserve strong practical leadership that delivers results. Some information about myself; I was raised in the Core Point, Beaufort County, NC community, where I still reside. Core Point is located on the Pamlico River between Aurora and Chocowinity.

    Growing up I worked on my dad's tobacco farm while also assisting local farmers to harvest tobacco. During the same time, I worked crab pots and fished nets. Our farmers and commercial fisherman are great assets to Beaufort County. I will support the farming business and the fishery in eastern North Carolina. I attended school in Aurora NC, graduating from Aurora High School in 1980.

    Shortly after graduation I went to work with Brown and Root Construction and later with Carolina Crane. At both companies I was employed as an electrician. In 1984 I took a job at Texas Gulf (now Nutrien) as an operator in the shipping department. A year later I transferred to the electrical department where I developed skills as an industrial electrician retiring in 2022 as an Instrument /Electrical supervisor.

    Shortly after retiring from Nutrien, I went to work with Industrial Management Services as a Construction Manager at the Nutrien Phosphate Plant in Aurora where I am currently employed. The manager's responsibilities include overseeing many disciplines such as building construction, installation of electrical and mechanical equipment, planning, budgeting, and scheduling. These are the skills that I will bring to the role of county commissioner.

    I own a rental business named CTM Properties. I am a North Carolina Mason and a member of Aurora Lodge 300 in Aurora. I have a great bond with my community, and it gives me great pleasure to assist and serve others.

    I look forward to the County Commissioner opportunity so that I can work for the citizens of Beaufort County by focusing on the issues that matter the most. I will support lower taxes in Beaufort County by ensuring our county budget reflects the county's priorities while funding essential services and eliminating waste. I will work to improve the budgeting process and to eliminate base line budgets.

    Also, the unallocated fund balance of $28 - $30 million dollars is far above the amount required by the NC Local Government Commission. I will support lowering the tax rate to bring this fund balance in line with current best practices. I believe in a dedicated and educated sheriff's office that will get the drug dealers and criminals out of our county. I will work with the commissioners to ensure that the sheriff's office has the equipment and staffing needed to keep our neighborhoods safe.

    I will support judges that will uphold the law and keep criminals out of our neighborhoods. I believe in an education system for our schools that teaches our children fundamentals that will shape them for success and to be the right leaders that carry us into the future. I will support the efforts to reopen the S. W. Snowden in Aurora. The current commission and school board leadership failed the families of Aurora and Richlands Township when they voted to just "give up" instead of supporting the school and the surrounding communities.

    One of the initiatives the commissioners should undertake is to rid Beaufort County of the "limited" voting process for county commissioners. We should revert to "at large" voting where voters may vote for all positions available on the county commission, and not limited to just one vote.

    I served as an EMT and a member of the Nutrien Emergency Response Team. I strongly support our community's fire and rescue teams knowing the dedication, time, and effort these teams devote to keeping us safe. The county commissioners set the tax rate for the Fire and Rescue Departments throughout the county. I will work to ensure that appropriated funds are used only for necessary expenditures. Any misuse of these critical funds should not be tolerated.

    As a voting member of the Beaufort County Republican Party Executive Committee, I will encourage the party to adhere to the Plan of Organization in all respects. I participated in my first Republican Party State Convention this year as a voting delegate. This was an enlightening experience. I want our townships in Beaufort County to thrive, to be inviting for new businesses that bring jobs and prosperous neighborhoods to our county. To support this, I will work to have the Industrial Park located in Chocowinity to be rezoned to make this site more attractive to business interests, bringing jobs to Beaufort County.

    I believe in teamwork to create opportunities that will benefit Beaufort County. My history in Beaufort County shows I am deeply rooted, and I want to actively engage in further success of our county. Through good communication, transparency, and accountability I want to help make Beaufort County a better place for all of us to live, work, and thrive.

    I am C. Travis Martin, and I ask for your vote in the upcoming primary election on March 3, 2026. Thanks to all for your encouragement and support.