Justin Guthrie (Bogue Town Council, North Carolina, candidate 2025)

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Justin Guthrie

Nonpartisan

Candidate, Bogue Town Council

Elections and appointments

Last election

November 4, 2025

Education

Other

Carteret Community College, 2011

Personal

Profession

Self Employed

Contact

Campaign website

Justin Guthrie ran for election to the Bogue Town Council in North Carolina. He was on the ballot in the general election on November 4, 2025.^[source]

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

Biography

Justin Guthrie provided the following biographical information via Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey on October 8, 2025:

• Birth date: November 19, 1985
• High school: Croatan High School
• Other: Carteret Community College, 2011
• Gender: Male
• Profession: Self Employed
• Incumbent officeholder: No
• Campaign website

Elections

General election

General election for Bogue Town Council (2 seats)

Allison Wilton Cannon, Bradley Cannon, Justin Guthrie, Ken Mitchell, and Joann Parker ran in the general election for Bogue Town Council on November 4, 2025.

		Candidate
	Submit photo	Allison Wilton Cannon (Nonpartisan)
	Submit photo	Bradley Cannon (Nonpartisan)
		Justin Guthrie (Nonpartisan)
	Submit photo	Ken Mitchell (Nonpartisan)
	Submit photo	Joann Parker (Nonpartisan)

---

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

Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Guthrie in this election.

Campaign themes

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Justin Guthrie completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Guthrie's responses.

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Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Born and raised in Bogue, my roots here run deep. I grew up on Guthrie Farm, where my Papa Billy taught me to drive a tractor at age five. That early start led to a lifelong love of farming. In my late 20s, I began growing hydroponic tomatoes in my backyard. That hobby grew into a successful family business—The Farm at Bogue—where my sisters, brother-in-law, and I grew hydroponic vegetables and what many called the best lettuce on the East Coast.

Though the farm eventually closed, my passion for growing and for this community never faded. I’ve faced many challenges, from hiking the full Appalachian Trail—almost half of it with a broken bone in my foot—to putting myself through college while working multiple jobs, graduating early and at the top of my class. Today, I run a successful hair styling business with a loyal clientele.

I understand hard work and perseverance, and I care deeply about Bogue. I’m ready to listen, serve, and represent the people of this town with honesty and heart.

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?

• I believe in making our public meetings more accessible and inclusive for all residents. One way we can do that is by offering a live stream of Town Council meetings, so that citizens who can’t attend in person—whether due to work schedules, family responsibilities, or disabilities—can still stay informed and engaged. Transparency and participation are essential to good local government. Providing remote access to meetings is a simple but meaningful step toward ensuring that everyone in Bogue has the opportunity to be part of the conversation.
• I support making fair and timely improvements to our town’s infrastructure as needs arise. One specific priority I would advocate for is paving Chimney Branch Road, which would greatly improve access and safety for residents in that area. More broadly, I believe infrastructure decisions should be guided by need, fairness, and fiscal responsibility. As our budget allows, I would support additional improvements that benefit the community—without raising taxes. Careful financial planning and prioritization will be key to making progress while respecting the financial realities of our residents.
• I believe strongly in supporting and protecting small businesses here in Bogue. Local businesses are the backbone of our community—they create jobs, provide valuable services, and help keep our town vibrant and self-sustaining. As a member of the Town Council, I would work to ensure that we do not create unnecessary obstacles for these businesses through overly burdensome regulations or unclear processes.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

As a candidate for the Bogue Town Council, I’m especially passionate about fiscal responsibility and transparency at the local level. In a small town like Bogue, where every dollar matters, managing our limited revenues carefully is essential to making sure all residents benefit—whether through road maintenance, essential services, or future infrastructure needs.
I believe the Town Council has a duty to provide clear, detailed, and understandable financial reporting, so our citizens know exactly how their tax dollars are being used. When local government is transparent and accountable, it builds trust—and that trust is the foundation of a strong, engaged community.

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

The most important characteristics for an elected official are integrity, accountability, and a strong commitment to serving the public good. They should be knowledgeable, fair, and empathetic, with the courage to make principled decisions. Effective communication, respect for democratic values, and a clear, inclusive vision for the future are essential—especially in small towns, where personal connection, trust, and community spirit are at the heart of good leadership.

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

A Bogue Town Council member is responsible for shaping local policies, representing residents, and ensuring that town government runs fairly and effectively. This includes passing ordinances, approving the town budget, and overseeing services like roads, planning, and public safety.

Under Bogue’s town charter, Council members also help define and maintain the official town boundaries, serve four-year terms as part of a five-member board, and work under a nonpartisan election system. Council members operate within the Mayor–Council form of government, meaning they share leadership with the Mayor but have key roles in legislative decisions, budgeting, and community planning.

Most importantly, a Council member must be accessible, transparent, and focused on what’s best for Bogue—balancing growth with the charm and character that make our small town special.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

My first job was working on Guthrie Farm, where I grew up and started helping out as soon as I was able. Farming isn’t just a job—it’s a way of life that teaches discipline, resilience, and the value of hard, honest work. I spent my days in the fields, learning firsthand the meaning of responsibility, consistency, and staying grounded in the community.

At the same time, I was also involved in Worthy is the Lamb, a large outdoor drama. In addition to acting, I helped with nearly every aspect of the production—taking tickets, ushering people to their seats, working the concession stand, and even serving as a stable hand for the animals used in the play. It was a full day: farming under the sun, then heading to the stage (or behind it) at night.

Together, these experiences taught me the value of teamwork, adaptability, and service—lessons I carry with me in every part of my life today.

If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?

If I could be a fictional character, I would choose Atticus Finch from To Kill a Mockingbird. He represents integrity, fairness, and quiet strength—someone who listens carefully, leads with principle, and stands up for what’s right, even when it’s difficult. In a small-town setting, those qualities matter deeply. Like Atticus, I believe in serving the community with humility, treating people with respect, and making decisions rooted in justice and compassion. He reminds us that real leadership isn’t loud—it’s steady, honest, and deeply human.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

Friends of Bogue, NC

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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