Thursday, October 22, 2015 is the first day of One Stop voting (early voting) in Lenoir County’s municipal elections.   The timing could not be better for a Lenoir County Republican Party’s fundraiser.  The event is a Shrimp-a-roo to be held from 6PM-9PM at the Kinston Nature Center in Kinston, NC.   The venue is outside under the picnic pavillion on the Neuse River.  We should have a nice fire for you to enjoy on a crisp October evening!

Event sponsors include NC House Representative John Bell, IV and NC Senator Louis Pate. NC Appellate Court candidates Hunter Murphy and Richard Dietz will be mingling with the crowd along with Superior Court candidate Stuart Stroud (see bio below) from Lenoir County.  Kinston City Council candidate Steve Ragan (page link) will also share his plan to improve our hometown.  This event is a meet and greet format AND a chance for Republicans to highlight these gentlemen who are working hard to serve us all.   And, the Judges and Judge candidates will Judge the shrimp dishes!

We may also have a surprise candidate or two pop in…… don’t tell anyone but some big announcements may be coming our way!

Entertainment? We’ve got it! The bluegrass sounds of “The Gun Boat Boys” will be wafting through the trees and down the river!  Gotta love a little banjo on cool, crisp evening in front of an outdoor fireplace.

Okay, for the food!  We’ll have four (4) kinds of Shrimp.  Like Bubba says, “You can cook shrimp all kinds of ways, Forest!”  We’ll have Jambalaya, Boiled Shrimp, Shrimp Stew, and Scampi plus all the fixins’.  Beer, wine, and refreshments are included in this ‘All You Care to Eat’ affair.  Celebrity Chefs will be local favorites David Mooring, Jimmy Hill, and Tommy Pressly.  The price is $40 per person and tickets are available now.  You may call Lenoir County Republican Chairman, John Nix at 252-560-2150 to secure your tickets today.

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Stuart L. Stroud, Superior Court Candidate District 8A

Stuart L. Stroud is a native of Lenoir County and is the oldest child of Reginald and Maidred Stroud.  Stuart graduated from South Lenoir High School in 1985.  He received his bachelor’s degree in Education from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1989.  He then went on to graduate from Law School at Campbell University in 1992.  While in law school, he was a member of the trial advocacy team and was honored to be included in “The Order of Old Kivette” for having excelled in advocacy in regional trial competition.

Stuart began working for the law firm of Wallace, Morris Barwick and Rochelle in 1992 and has been a partner in that firm, now Wallace, Morris, Barwick, Landis and Stroud, PA,  since 1997.  Stuart is a member of the North Carolina State Bar and the N. C. Bar Association.  Stuart is admitted to practice in all state courts of North Carolina as well as Federal District Court- Eastern District and the Fourth Circuit US Court of Appeals.  

Stuart’s legal practice initially focused on Criminal Defense in District and Superior Court and traffic offenses.  However, for the last 15 years he has focused on civil litigation representing clients in a variety of legal disputes across eastern North Carolina and has tried jury trials in over 20 counties.  Stuart has also been certified as a Superior Court Mediator since 1999.  Mediators assist other attorneys and their clients in resolving their disputes without litigation.  In 2008, Stuart was invited to join the Eastern North Carolina Inn of Court.

Stuart and wife, Kelli Barefoot Stroud reside in Kinston and have one daughter, a sophomore at Appalachian State University.

Stuart is active in his church and is currently finishing his third, three year term as a member of the Vestry at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church and has previously served as the Senior Warden.  Stuart was honored to receive the Order of Saint George Award from the Episcopal Church and the Boy Scouts of America in 2015 for his dedication to the youth of the church and his service to the Boy Scouts.  Stuart is a former assistant scoutmaster with Troop 41 in Kinston and still serves on the Troop Committee.

Stuart earned his Eagle Scout award in 1983, is a Vigil honor member and Founder’s award recipient from the Order of the Arrow, and a former Lodge Chief of Croatan Lodge.  Stuart has served as Council attorney for The East Carolina Council for over ten years.  In 2011, Stuart received the Silver Beaver Award for his service to the Caswell district and East Carolina council.  Stuart has also been on the board for the Pride of Kinston, the Chamber of Commerce, the Red Cross and is a member of the Rotary Club of Kinston, the Committee of 100 and is a supporter of the United Way.

Stuart, in his spare time, likes to hunt (previous sponsor and committee member with Ducks Unlimited and is a member of the NRA), fish, exercise, read, backpack, cook and spend time with his extended family.