Keith Kidwell

Keith D. Kidwell (born June 21, 1961) is a Republican member of the North Carolina House of Representatives.^[1][2] He has represented the 79th district (including constituents in Beaufort and Craven counties) since its creation in a mid-cycle redistricting in 2019.^[3][4]

Keith Kidwell
Member of the North Carolina House of Representatives from the 79th district
Incumbent
Assumed office January 1, 2019
Preceded by	Constituency established
Personal details
Born	Keith D. Kidwell (1961-06-21) June 21, 1961 (age 63) Passaic, New Jersey, U.S.
Political party	Republican
Spouse	Victoria
Children	2
Residence	Chocowinity, North Carolina
Alma mater	William Paterson College (BA)
Occupation	Businessman Enrolled Agent, Tax Accountant, Health & Life Insurance Agent

Involvement with the Oath Keepers

In late September 2021, it was revealed that Rep. Kidwell's name was among the some 38,000 people whose names appear on a membership roster of the Oath Keepers; a far-right anti-government militia, following a hack of the group's internal data. Rep. Kidwell did not comment on whether he is a member of the group or not.^[5] However, records show that Kidwell has been on the Oath Keepers' roster since at least 2012.^[6]

Committee assignments

^[7]

2021-2022 session

• Banking (Chair)
• Finance (Chair)
• Agriculture
• Commerce
• Environment
• Regulatory Reform
• Judiciary IV
• Marine Resources and Aqua Culture

2019-2020 session

• Finance
• Commerce
• Environment
• Regulatory Reform
• Pensions and Retirement

Electoral history

2022

North Carolina House of Representatives 79th district Republican primary election, 2022^[8]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Keith Kidwell (incumbent)	8,721	83.30%
	Republican	Ed Hege	1,749	16.70%
Total votes			10,470	100%

2020

North Carolina House of Representatives th district general election, 2020^[9]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Keith Kidwell (incumbent)	25,290	63.83%
	Democratic	Nick Blount	14,330	36.17%
Total votes			39,620	100%
	Republican hold

2018

North Carolina House of Representatives 79th district Republican primary election, 2018^[10]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Keith Kidwell	4,176	78.06%
	Republican	Jim Chesnutt	1,174	21.94%
Total votes			5,350	100%

North Carolina House of Representatives 79th district general election, 2018^[11]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Keith Kidwell	17,247	60.59%
	Democratic	Jerry E. Langley	11,220	39.41%
Total votes			28,647	100%
	Republican win (new seat)

References

1. "The Voter's Self Defense System". Vote Smart. Retrieved February 20, 2022.
2. Staff, Sun Journal. "Keith Kidwell wins Craven-Beaufort N.C. House seat". New Bern Sun Journal.
3. "The Voter's Self Defense System". Vote Smart.
4. Kidwell, Keith D. "Keith Kidwell Announces for State House - Beaufort County Now". BCN.
5. Green, Jordan (2021-10-10). "NC lawmaker on Oath Keepers roster says it's none of the public's business". The NC Triad's altweekly. Retrieved 2021-10-11.
6. Arnsdorf, Isaac. "Oath Keepers in the State House: How a Militia Movement Took Root in the Republican Mainstream". ProPublica. Retrieved 2021-10-25.
7. "Keith Kidwell". Retrieved February 20, 2022.
8. North Carolina State Board of Elections.
9. North Carolina State Board of Elections.
10. North Carolina State Board of Elections.
11. North Carolina State Board of Elections.

North Carolina House of Representatives
Preceded by Julia Craven Howard	Member of the North Carolina House of Representatives from the 79th district 2019–Present	Incumbent