Darren Armstrong: A Fresh Vision for North Carolina’s District 79
With the March 3 Republican primary approaching, a familiar face in the Eastern North Carolina agricultural community is stepping into the political arena. Darren Armstrong, a multigenerational farmer and businessman, has announced his candidacy for the North Carolina House of Representatives District 79, representing Beaufort, Pamlico, Hyde, and Dare counties.
Armstrong describes himself as a Conservative Republican whose roots run deep in the fertile soil of Eastern North Carolina. His campaign is built on the belief that District 79 has been “overlooked, underestimated, and underrepresented” in Raleigh for far too long.
A Lifetime of Local Leadership
Born in Hyde County and a current resident of Beaufort County, Armstrong’s life and career have been centered in the district he now seeks to represent. He graduated from North Carolina State University’s Agricultural Institute with an associate’s degree in Ag Business and has spent nearly 30 years as a co-owner of Armstrong Farms.
Quick Facts
Education: North Carolina State University, Agricultural Institute – Associate’s Degree in Ag Business
Professional/Civic Memberships
- Pike Road Church of Christ, member and deacon
- Beaufort County Community College Board of Trustees, member
- Pungo Christian Academy Board of Directors, chair
- US Grains Council, member and past chair
- Corn Board Assn. of North Carolina, member and past chair
- Hyde County Soil and Water Board of Directors, member
- East Coast Soy Processors, LLC – member
- MAIZALL, member
- Hyde County Chamber of Commerce, past President
- Hyde County Farm Bureau, member and past chair
- Blacklands Farm Managers Association, member and past chair
Hometown: Belhaven, North Carolina – Beaufort County
From: Ponzer, North Carolina – Hyde County
Family: wife, Dawn; children, 3 sons – Jonah (age 21), Braden (age 19), and Trent (age 17)
Beyond the farm, Armstrong has held significant leadership roles at both the local and national levels:
- National Leadership: Former Chairman of the U.S. Grains Council and past chair of the Corn Board Association of North Carolina.
- Local Governance: Member of the Beaufort County Community College Board of Trustees and chair of the Pungo Christian Academy Board of Directors.
- Civic Engagement: Past President of the Hyde County Chamber of Commerce and a deacon at Pike Road Church of Christ.
Why He is Running
Armstrong’s platform is rooted in protecting the traditional industries and values of Eastern North Carolina. He has received the high-profile endorsement of N.C. Commissioner of Agriculture Steve Troxler, who supports Armstrong’s commitment to passing an annual Farm Act and promoting “right to farm” laws.
Key pillars of his campaign include:
- Industry Support: Keeping agriculture, commercial fishing, and timber as viable, leading economic drivers for the state.
- Constitutional Rights: A staunch commitment to preserving 2nd Amendment rights.
- Community Safety: Strong backing for law enforcement officers to keep local communities safe.
- Educational Reform: Safeguarding parental rights and working to keep "woke ideology" out of schools.
- Fiscal Advocacy: Bringing hard-earned tax dollars back to the district to ensure Eastern North Carolina receives its fair share.
A Vision for Future Generations
At the heart of Armstrong’s campaign is a desire to ensure that the next generation—including his own three sons—can choose to stay and thrive in their home district. “I believe we need local born and bred representatives in Raleigh,” Armstrong stated, emphasizing that he was encouraged to run by respected local friends and business leaders.
As he moves toward the primary, Armstrong is positioning himself as a candidate who knows what it takes to run a small business and is fully committed to giving back to the community that raised him.