NEW HANOVER COUNTY — Harry Knight joins a crowded field vying for three seats on the county’s board of commissioners.
Three seats are up for election in 2020, two of the seats are uncontested as current commissioners Woody White and Patricia Kusek have both announced they will not seek reelection; Commissioner Jonathan Barfield has filed to run for reelection.
According to Knight, he has lived and worked in the county since early 2000 when he transferred as part of his employment in the nuclear industry. Knight’s wife, Kathy, worked for GE and is a local realtor. The couple’s daughter, Kady, graduates from the New Hanover County School district, Campbell University, and Liberty University (with a Master’s Degree).
Knight is originally from West Virginia and grew up on a small cattle farm. Knight got a mechanical engineering degree from West Virginia University and worked at Knolls Atomic Power Lab, supporting the operation, testing, and training for the U.S. Navy. Knight went on to become one of the few civilian engineers qualified to work on Navy nuclear power plants.
Knight retired from the nuclear industry after 28 years, during which his work “involved managing and oversight of complex operations and personnel to ensure compliance with local, state, federal, and international requirements, including environmental issues.”
Knight is currently a licensed real estate broker who focuses on “affordable housing, family neighborhoods, and associated schools.” Knight co-founded and is currently the chairman of the Coastal Carolina Accountability Project. He is also the First Vice-Chairman of the South Eastern Republican Men’s Association, a subsidiary of the State Men’s Association.
Knight said he hopes to use his life and working experience, and with his personal contacts with local state representatives, to help residents as a commissioner.
“It’s time for elected politicians to be made up of actual successful blue and white-collar workers to represent the working class taxpayers of our community,” Knight said.
