Putting Children First

Pat Bradford is running for re-election to the New Hanover County Board of Education with a single focus: ensuring the physical, mental, and academic success of our children.

A longtime community leader, business owner, and child advocate, Pat believes in standing up for students and focusing on true educational outcomes, not political agendas.

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A Proven Record on the Board

Since taking office, Pat has focused on academic fundamentals and responsible fiscal stewardship. She believes in results, not rhetoric.

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Academic Turnaround
Pat made academic fundamentals a top priority, directing the development of a plan to raise third-grade reading proficiency. Under her leadership, end-of-grade reading results increased from the mid-40s to the low-60s.

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Fiscal Responsibility
As Chair of the Finance, Capital, and Bond Committee, Pat led efforts to bring transparency and long-term planning to the district’s budget. She played a key role in building the balanced 2025 to 2026 budget and assessing critical capital needs to ensure tax dollars are spent wisely on safe, modern learning environments.

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Business & Journalism Background

Pat brings real-world business leadership and common-sense decision-making to the School Board.

She is the co-founder of Wrightsville Beach Magazine, serving for 25 years, and the founder of the award-winning Lumina News. In early 2025, she stepped away from publishing to devote her full attention to public service and education advocacy.

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Her professional experience includes:

• Strategic planning and complex budgeting
   

• Personnel management, hiring, and compensation
   

• Contract negotiation and vendor management
   

• Institutional knowledge of local municipal boards

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A Lifetime of Service & Advocacy

Pat has always been an advocate for the vulnerable. Trained at Appalachian State University as a K to 12 educator, she has a deep understanding of the classroom environment.

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Guardian ad Litem
In 2006, Pat was sworn in as a Child Advocate in the New Hanover County court system, representing the interests of children in court.

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Community Outreach
In 2011, she founded The King’s Breakfast to serve the hungry and homeless. She has volunteered extensively with Boots on the Ground and First Fruit Ministries, ministering to the unsheltered and to women escaping domestic violence and human trafficking.

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Faith
Pat is an active member of Wilmington’s Global River Church, serving on the Intercessory Prayer Team and shepherding Children’s Flag Warriors.

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Family

Pat is a proud mother and grandmother. Her son serves as a Fire Department battalion chief. Her daughter-in-law and granddaughter are nurses, and her grandson is a college football kicker.

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Her life has also been enriched by mentoring and welcoming several non-biological children into her home, treating them as her own.

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Why I Am Running for Re-Election

It is all about the children.

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I bring real-world business experience and a deep love for children to the Board. I know how to hire, fire, balance a strategic budget, and ask the hard questions others avoid.

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We have a generational responsibility. Just because your life is going well or your child’s school is fine does not mean we can ignore the cracks in the system. We must not lose another generation of young people.

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I am asking for your vote to continue the work we started.
Let’s complete the U-Turn.