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The Candidate

Name

Jason Lawrence

Age

47

Address

Wandering Lane,  Mocksville

Family

Wife, Kati Lawrence; sons, Andrew, Jackson & Daniel

Education

BSBA in marketing, UNC Charlotte, 1999

Occupation

Deputy Clerk of Court (Feb. 2012-present); currently serving as the Juvenile and Civil clerk and back-up cashier; maintain records and handle daily operations for numerous activities within the courthouse.

In The Community

• First Baptist Church of Mocksville (active, member/volunteer)

• Boy Scouts: Scoutmaster, Troop 575; founding Committee Member, Troop 555; Merit Badge Counselor; former Cubmaster, Pack 574

• Davie County 4H: Advisory Board Member Davie

• GOP Executive Board Member (2016-18)

• Davie County Smart Start Volunteer

• Davie County Little League Coach (former)

• Davie County Recs/Park Coach (former)

• Volunteer at Mocksville Elementary, South Davie, Davie High (former)

 

Why did you decide to seek public office?

Lawrence: When our family moved to Davie County nearly 13 years ago, I immediately fell in love with the community. We joined a church, enrolled our kids at Mocksville Elementary, joined Scouts, played sports and embedded ourselves in the culture that is Davie County. I started at the Davie County Clerk’s Office in 2012 and knew the day I started that one day I’d like to be the Clerk.

I’m a husband, a father, a Scout leader, a Sunday School teacher, and a coach.  Leading is something I am meant to do. I am also a volunteer, knowing that helping others is something I’ve been called to do.  I do not seek public office to be a politician, but to be a servant of the public, giving everything, I have to offer, to make The Clerk’s Office and Davie County the very best it can be.

What professional or life experience qualifies you to be a clerk of court?

Lawrence: For the past 10 years, I have been working in the Davie County Clerk’s Office, starting as a Civil clerk and back up Cashier. Throughout the past decade, I have also become the primary Juvenile Clerk and have helped with every area of the office in some capacity. This experience allows me to know our office better than any other candidate, including understanding where the opportunities and challenges exist. The Clerk’s office is not just one person, but a team of Assistant and Deputy Clerks, all, knowing and performing their jobs. As an experienced leader, who is knowledgeable in the operations of the office and its staff, I am more than qualified to be the next Clerk of Court.

What are the major responsibilities of the Clerk of Court?

Lawrence: The responsibilities of The Clerk are numerous and varied. Unlike Clerks in other states, the Clerk of Superior Court in North Carolina is also a judge.

The Clerk is responsible for conducting a variety of hearings and other proceedings. These can include hearings regarding foreclosures, adoptions, incompetencies and other special proceedings, such as name changes and partitions. The Clerk is the Ex Officio judge of probate, meaning that the person who is elected as the Clerk of Court is a judge of probate. This includes administration of decedent’s estates, guardianships, trusts and the supervision of other fiduciaries.

In addition, the Clerk of Court is responsible for managing the overall operations of the Clerk’s Office, including supervising a team of Assistant and Deputy Clerks. The Clerk is responsible and liable for their actions. The Clerk must maintain and keep records, files, and indexes as prescribed by the Administrative Office of the Courts.

Other Issues

Lawrence: The Clerk of Court is not just about one elected official.  The Clerk’s office is comprised of a team of Assistants and Deputies working together under the direction of the elected Clerk.  Having familiarity with North Carolina law is important, but knowing the procedures and protocols as outlined by the state are equally important.

I have been working with The Clerk’s Office in Davie County for more than 10 years.  That is 10 years of experience and knowledge of how the court operates and familiarity with North Carolina law. More than 10 years of knowledge of various personnel and how they interact.  There is no substitute for relevant, hands-on experience.  I have the experience needed to be the next elected Clerk.

Being a family oriented, conservative, man of God, I believe in personal responsibility and taking pride in a job well done.  I am proactive and a team player, who supports my team members. Like any good coach, I believe my success is measured by the performance of my team. I lead by example and do my best to make sure my team has the tools they need to succeed.

I am a respected and trusted member of the community. While the process of becoming the Clerk is political, I do not consider myself a politician. As a scout leader for more than 10 years, I strive to live by the Scout Law. A Scout is Trustworthy, Loyal, Helpful, Courteous, Kind, Obedient, Cheerful, Thrifty, Brave, Clean and Reverent. Throughout all of my community involvement, I do my best to live by these principles.  My family and I actively attend church at First Baptist Church of Mocksville, where we help with nursery, Sunday school, youth group, VBS and other activities. Whether it is with church, scouting, a sports team, school function or other local non-profit, I have been an established and involved member of the community and will continue to do so, regardless of the outcome of this election. It’s who I am.

I have the experience and the overall, well-rounded skills to be the next elected Clerk of Court for Davie County.  I humbly ask for your support and vote.