James Ferguson (New Bern Alderman Ward 1, North Carolina, candidate 2025)

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James Ferguson

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Nonpartisan

Candidate, New Bern Alderman Ward 1

Elections and appointments

Last election

October 7, 2025

Education

Bachelor's

North Carolina State University

Law

Campbell University School of Law

Personal

Profession

Lawyer

Contact

Campaign website

Campaign Facebook

Personal LinkedIn

James Ferguson (also known as Trey) ran for election to the New Bern Alderman Ward 1 in North Carolina. He was on the ballot in the general election on October 7, 2025.^[source]

Ferguson completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

James Ferguson provided the following biographical information via Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey on September 8, 2025:

• High school: Weaver Academy for Performing and Visual Arts
• Bachelor's: North Carolina State University
• J.D.: Campbell University School of Law
• Gender: Male
• Profession: Lawyer
• Incumbent officeholder: No
• Campaign slogan: Let's move New Bern forward, together!
• Campaign website
• Campaign Facebook

Elections

General election

General election for New Bern Alderman Ward 1

James Ferguson, Alana Huber, and Bernard W. White ran in the general election for New Bern Alderman Ward 1 on October 7, 2025.

		Candidate
	Submit photo	James Ferguson (Nonpartisan)
	Submit photo	Alana Huber (Nonpartisan)
	Submit photo	Bernard W. White (Nonpartisan)

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	Incumbency information for this election was not available.
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Endorsements

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Campaign themes

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

James Ferguson completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Ferguson's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

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Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I’m Trey Ferguson, a lifelong North Carolinian, husband, father, and attorney who has built my career standing up for people and making sure government follows the law. My family and I love calling New Bern home, and I’m running for Ward 1 Alderman to help our city grow responsibly while protecting the historic character that makes it special.

Since 2022, I’ve served on New Bern’s Board of Adjustment, a quasi-judicial body that hears zoning and land use appeals. This role has given me firsthand insight into the challenges facing our neighborhoods, the importance of fair decision-making, and the need for clear and transparent local government.

In my legal practice, I represent individuals, small businesses, and local governments in matters that often come down to balancing rules with real-life impact. That experience (knowing how decisions affect families and businesses) guides how I approach public service.

I believe tax dollars should be spent wisely on services that improve our quality of life, from safe streets to strong infrastructure, while supporting the businesses and entrepreneurs who fuel our local economy.

Above all, I want to ensure New Bern remains a vibrant, welcoming community for every resident, with transparent leadership that listens, acts fairly, and plans for the future.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

• Planning for the Future - New Bern is a growing city, and the decisions we make today will shape the community our children inherit. I believe in thoughtful, responsible planning that balances growth with preserving what makes our city special. That means strengthening our infrastructure, maintaining safe neighborhoods, and ensuring development enhances, not overwhelms, our quality of life. By planning ahead, we can keep New Bern vibrant, livable, and welcoming for generations to come.
• Encouraging Economic Development - A strong local economy benefits everyone. I will support policies that help small businesses thrive, attract new employers, and create good jobs right here in New Bern. Encouraging smart development in areas like Five Points and downtown can expand opportunity while preserving our historic charm. By fostering entrepreneurship and investing in our workforce, we can grow our tax base, keep services strong, and make New Bern a place where families and businesses flourish.
• Ensuring Transparent & Accountable Government - Citizens deserve a government that is open, fair, and accountable. As an attorney and member of the Board of Adjustment, I’ve seen firsthand how important it is for government to follow the law and listen to the people it serves. I will work to make city decisions more accessible and understandable, ensure tax dollars are spent wisely, and hold leadership accountable. Transparent government builds trust, and trust is essential for a strong community.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I’m passionate about policies that strengthen New Bern’s future. That starts with responsible growth, ensuring our infrastructure keeps pace with development while protecting the historic character of our neighborhoods. I care about economic development that supports small businesses, attracts new opportunities, and creates jobs for local families. Finally, I believe in transparent, accountable government that listens to citizens, spends tax dollars wisely, and makes decisions openly. These priorities ensure New Bern remains a vibrant, welcoming city for all.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

An elected official should lead with integrity, transparency, and accountability, always putting the community’s interests first. Good leaders listen before they act, treat every citizen with respect, and make decisions based on fairness rather than politics. They must be responsible stewards of tax dollars, committed to using resources wisely to provide essential services and strengthen quality of life. Above all, an elected official should plan for the future, ensuring decisions made today create lasting benefits for tomorrow.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

The core responsibilities of an alderman are to listen to citizens, make decisions that reflect their needs, and ensure the city operates effectively and fairly. That means adopting policies that strengthen neighborhoods, maintaining infrastructure and public safety, supporting economic growth, and protecting the character of our community. It also requires transparent oversight of tax dollars and open communication so residents can trust their government. In short, the job is to serve people first and plan responsibly for New Bern’s future.

What legacy would you like to leave?

I want my legacy to be a New Bern that is even stronger, more vibrant, and more welcoming than it is today. As the father of three daughters, I want them to always be proud to call New Bern home and to see a future here where they can establish their own roots. That means leaving behind a city that planned wisely, supported local businesses, and built trust through transparent and accountable government. My goal is to help ensure New Bern continues to thrive for generations to come.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

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New Bern Alderman Ward 1

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