PENDER COUNTY — To the surprise of some colleagues, one Republican commissioner resigned from the Pender County government during Monday night’s meeting.
Brad George, who decided not to run for re-election in 2026, will step away from the dais effective Aug. 1. He told the community the decision came after “much thought and prayer and discussion” with his family.
“Over the past several months, I’ve developed a serious concern about the direction our county and the priorities being pursued,” George said. “While I respect the office and the democratic process, I no longer feel that I can effectively represent my constituents while remaining true to my principles and my values that brought me to public service. For that reason, I believe it’s time for me to step aside.”
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George has voted against the controversial Fire and EMS merger in the last year, and was against the revaluation numbers put forth in 2026, which raised property values on average 110% countywide. He also voted against the majority when it came to switching publications the county does business with, from Pender-Topsail Post & Voice to StarNews (the county is now in embroiled in a lawsuit with the paper).
Port City Daily reached out to the commissioner for an interview regarding his decision but did not receive a response by press.
In his statement to the board on June 16, George said his decision was not made easily since public service has been part of his DNA for years. He previously served on the Pender County Board of Education for a decade before his commissioner appointment in 2023, to which he won the 2024 election to fill the full term. George also serves as a CFCC trustee.
“I’ve always tried to make decisions based on what I believe was the best for the citizens of Pender County,” he continued and thanks them for their trust in him and also thanks county staff for their hard daily work. “Your dedication and professionalism often go unnoticed, but your work is essential to keeping this county moving forward, and I truly mean that. I know some of you don’t think I do, but y’all are the backbone, and if it weren’t for the employees, we wouldn’t need to be here.”
George did not seek re-election this year, which will have Republican Shayne Frey facing off against Democratic candidate and former Topsail Beach commissioner Tim Zizack. That will leave a three-month gap on the board, meaning the Pender County GOP will fill the seat in the interim.
According to the county’s GOP chairman, Joshua Smith, after George resigns a meeting with the party’s executive committee will be called, to vote on and recommend a replacement. First, they have to open a notice of candidacy to the public for applications from any Republican who is interested to serve the temporary appointment. The appointee must be a Pender County registered Republican, who also resides in district 1.
“We will hold this meeting in August and make our recommendation within the allotted 30 day window,” Smith explained. “While Mr. Frey, as the Republican nominee in November would be the logical choice to step in as the interim commissioner completing Mr. George’s term, the party must still proceed with the appointment process of the Pender County Republican Party’s Executive Committee.”
The party’s recommendation will then be voted on by the board of commissioners.
Smith said he was disappointed to hear of George’s resignation but also thanked the commissioner for his service and leadership.
Whomever takes his place, George said Monday will face “significant challenges,” but added “strong leadership will be needed.”
George thanked his family and particularly his wife, stating service to the public comes with its own set of sacrifices. Earlier in the meeting during public comment, Republican Kim McGahey, who lost the primary election this year for the school board district 2 seat, accused two commissioners of “inside trader backroom corruption.” He also brought George’s son and wife into the fold, specifically saying Georgeo’s wife, too, benefited financially from taxpayer dollars due to working for EMS, part of the merger with Pender Fire and EMS.
George has faced criticism for previously serving on the Fire and EMS board of directors, but resigned in March amid a conflict of interest complaint related to his wife’s position as Pender EMS’ chief financial officer. The district attorney’s office dismissed the complaint last year.
George also faced campaign finance allegations with the state elections board looking into a complaint filed by former school board member and Pender County Republican Party executive committee member Phil Cordeiro. Cordeiro accused The Pender-Topsail Post & Voice newspaper of giving George a discounted rate on political advertising, which Cordeiro claimed was an unreported “in-kind” campaign contribution. However, the North Carolina State Board of Elections cleared George of any wrongdoing.
Before George announced his resignation on Monday, he defended his family: “I don’t even want to address the comment that was made tonight, but I will say that I’m proud of my wife that spent over 37 years either with Sloop Point Volunteer Fire Department, Sloop Point Rescue, under East EMS of Pender County or Pender Fire and EMS, whatever it’s called now. I’m proud of her, and I’m proud of my son … No one has sacrificed more than those who stood beside me, and you just don’t know what goes on in the background. Their support, patience, and understanding have meant everything. My hope is that the new board seated in December will carefully consider the decision before them and always place the interest of the citizens of Pender County first.”
There has been a good amount of turnover on the Pender commissioner board in the last four years. George was first appointed to the seat in 2023 upon Republican Jimmy Tate’s then-resignation. Tate was elected in 2022 but into his four-year term, he decided to step back due to harassment claims. However, Tate was re-appointed to the board when former Commissioner Ken Smith resigned in 2025 due to moving away from the district; Tate is up for election to fulfill the term this year and does not face challengers.
“I certainly understand where you’re at,” Tate told George. “I appreciate your service and your commitment to the county … I think back to the days prior, when we served with many members of our board over the years, while we not always agreed, we left professional and civil with our unity for the county as a whole, and that’s the only reason why I serve today.”
Groves, Springer and Burton also expressed gratitude for George’s input and participation. Burton expressed surprise over the announcement but said he respected the choice.
“And I actually agree with you on your family, that it takes a toll,” Burton said, “attacks and negativity — and I’ll leave it at that.”
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