About Jennifer
Jennifer Smith Strickland is a lifelong resident of Wayne County, a conservative Christian, and a proud 7th-generation farmer, with her children representing the 8th generation on the family farm in the Rosewood community. Born and raised on her family’s farm, Jennifer learned the value of hard work at an early age—working in tobacco, produce, strawberries, pumpkins, and cattle—instilling in her a deep respect for agriculture, family, and faith that continues to guide her life.
A 1993 graduate of Rosewood High School, Jennifer served as student body president and played varsity tennis. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Management from North Carolina State University and later a Master of Public Administration from the University of Nebraska–Omaha. Jennifer’s professional background includes work in municipal recreation, retail, hospitality, and commercial real estate ownership and management.
Jennifer has devoted decades to public service and community leadership. She was elected to the Wayne County Board of Education in 2014 and 2018, serving as Vice Chair and chairing multiple committees. She has also served as President of the Rosewood Elementary PTO, helped revive the school’s Halloween Carnival, and volunteered for Jump Rope for Heart.
Active in the Wayne County Republican Party for nearly 20 years, Jennifer has held numerous leadership roles, including County Party Chair, before resigning to run for Wayne County Commissioner At-Large. She has served as Chair of the Wayne County Republican Women’s Club and as a delegate to multiple NC GOP conventions.
Jennifer also serves on the Wayne County Crime Stoppers Board, helped found the Crime Stoppers Caper Chase Road Race, and supports organizations such as the Wayne Pregnancy Center, Cry Freedom, and the Kitty Askins Hospice. She is a dedicated wife, mother of four, tennis coach, and lifelong advocate for Wayne County’s future.
Issues
Making Wayne County Affordable Again
Wayne County should be a place where families, seniors, and small businesses can thrive without being taxed out of their homes. Jennifer supports across-the-board reductions in home property taxes and a disciplined approach to county spending that prioritizes residents over bureaucracy. As property values rise, county government must not treat that growth as a blank check. Families should be able to stay in the homes they worked hard to buy, retirees should not be forced to downsize due to taxes, and young families should see Wayne County as an affordable place to put down roots.
Supporting Our Schools and Students
Strong schools are essential to a strong county. Jennifer believes county commissioners must work collaboratively and proactively with the Wayne County Board of Education, especially when it comes to approving new subdivisions and understanding how growth impacts school capacity, staffing, and facilities. Planning must happen before overcrowding becomes a crisis. She also supports improving school safety and advocating for competitive pay for support staff and bus drivers, who play a vital role in students’ daily lives and deserve to be treated as essential professionals.
Transparency in County Government
Residents deserve clear, honest, and accessible government. Jennifer supports greater transparency in county decision-making, budgeting, and long-term planning so citizens understand how their tax dollars are being spent and why decisions are made. Open communication builds trust, and trust is the foundation of effective leadership. County government should work for the people—not behind closed doors.
Efficiency and Eliminating Waste
Every dollar wasted is a dollar taken from taxpayers. Jennifer supports conducting regular reviews of county programs and expenditures to identify inefficiencies, redundancies, and unnecessary spending. Responsible stewardship means doing more with less, prioritizing essential services, and ensuring county government operates efficiently—just like the families and businesses it serves
A County Our Children Want to Come Home To
Jennifer’s vision is a Wayne County that offers opportunity, affordability, safety, and pride of place—a county where residents are proud to live and where our children choose to return to raise their families. By supporting smart growth, strong schools, fiscal responsibility, and transparent leadership, Wayne County can build a future rooted in its values and prepared for the next generation.