Paul Scott (North Carolina politician)
Paul Scott | |
|---|---|
| Member of the North Carolina House of Representatives from the 111th district | |
| Assumed office January 1, 2025 | |
| Preceded by | Tim Moore |
| Member of the Rutherford County Board of Education from the 2nd district | |
| In office December 6, 2022 – November 14, 2024 | |
| Preceded by | Brandon Gosey |
| Succeeded by | David Linder |
| Personal details | |
| Born | February 24, 1973 |
| Party | Republican |
| Spouse | Kelly Conkling |
| Children | 4 |
| Education | Heriot-Watt University (MBA) |
| Website | Official website Campaign website |
Paul Lynwood Scott is a Republican member of the North Carolina House of Representatives who has represented the 111th district (covering parts of Cleveland and Rutherford counties) since 2025.[1] He was first elected to the seat in 2024. A pastor from Ellenboro, North Carolina, he previously served on the Rutherford County Board of Education from 2022 to 2024.
Early life and education
Scott was born and raised in a small rural town in Hillsborough County, Florida, where he spent his youth involved in family, church, and school activities.[2] He was ordained by his home church, the First Baptist Church of Riverview, Florida.[2] Scott earned a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh, Scotland.[2]
Professional career
Scott has served as the Senior Pastor of Big Springs Baptist Church for over fifteen years.[2]
Prior to his political career, Scott worked as a client technologies architect at the Duke University Health System.[2]
Civic service
Scott is a volunteer firefighter with the Polkville Volunteer Fire Department, a role he has held for more than a decade.[2] He also serves as a chaplain and hostage/crisis negotiator with the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office, holding advanced negotiation certification and participating in the Crisis Negotiation Team.[2]
Political career
In 2022, Scott ran for a seat on the Rutherford County Board of Education representing the East Rutherford district. He ran unopposed in the primary and defeated Unaffiliated candidate Parker Tate in the general election.[3]
In 2024, Scott ran for the North Carolina House of Representatives to represent the newly open 111th district, following the retirement of longtime incumbent Tim Moore. He won the four-way Republican primary and went on to defeat his Democratic opponent in the November general election.[4]
Scott assumed office on January 1, 2025. In the legislature, Scott’s stated priorities include support for constitutional rights, strengthening education, confronting drug addiction in communities, and prioritizing law-abiding citizens.[2]
Personal life
Scott is married to Kelly (née Conkling), whom he met while serving his first pastorate in Morrisville, North Carolina.[2] They have four children: triplet sons and a daughter.[2]
Electoral History
2024
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Paul Scott | 31,434 | 73.89% | |
| Democratic | Frances Rollinson Webber | 11,110 | 26.11% | |
| Total votes | 42,544 | 100% | ||
| Republican hold | ||||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Paul Scott | 3,648 | 34.31% | |
| Republican | David Allen | 3,239 | 30.46% | |
| Republican | Paul Brintley | 1,985 | 18.67% | |
| Republican | Scott Neisler | 1,760 | 16.55% | |
| Total votes | 10,632 | 100% | ||
2022
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Paul Scott | 15,559 | 70.50% | |
| Unaffiliated | Parker Tate | 6,509 | 29.50% | |
| Total votes | 22,068 | 100% | ||
Committee assignments
2025-2026 session
Standing and Select Committees:[8]
- Alcohol Beverage Control
- Federal Relations and American Indian Affairs
- Finance
- Health
- Blockchain and Digital Assets
- Helene Recovery
References
- ^ "Representative Paul Scott - Biography - North Carolina General Assembly". www.ncleg.gov. Retrieved 2025-12-24.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j "About Paul". Paul Scott for House. Retrieved 2025-12-24.
- ^ [email protected], SCOTT CARPENTER (2022-11-09). "Scott defeats Tate for Board of Ed seat". thedigitalcourier.com. Retrieved 2025-12-24.
- ^ [email protected], VICTORIA MCGUINN YOUNG (2024-11-06). "Education Board member Paul Scott headed to state House". thedigitalcourier.com. Retrieved 2025-12-24.
- ^ [1] North Carolina State Board of Elections.
- ^ [2] North Carolina Board of Elections.
- ^ [3] North Carolina Board of Elections.
- ^ "Committees - North Carolina General Assembly". www.ncleg.gov. Retrieved 2025-12-24.