{"biography":"Mark Joseph Morse is a candidate for the Laurel\u202fPark Town Council in Henderson, North\u202fCarolina, seeking election on November\u202f3,\u202f2026. Town council members are responsible for setting local policy, approving the municipal budget, enacting ordinances, and representing the interests of residents on issues ranging from public safety to economic development. \n\nMorse has spent more than two decades in the restaurant industry, beginning his career with Chick\u2011fil\u2011A in 2002 and working in a variety of operational roles across North\u202fCarolina. For over eleven years he owned and operated the Chick\u2011fil\u2011A Lumberton location, employing roughly 90 team members and building relationships with local businesses and nonprofit groups. In October\u202f2023 he was selected as the Owner\u2011Operator of a new Chick\u2011fil\u2011A restaurant on Roberts Avenue in Lumberton, where he continues to oversee daily operations and community outreach initiatives.[11]\n\nBeyond his business responsibilities, Morse has demonstrated a commitment to community service. The opening of Chick\u2011fil\u2011A Roberts Avenue was accompanied by a $25,000 donation to Feeding America\u2019s Second Harvest Foodbank of Southeast North\u202fCarolina, and the restaurant plans to participate in the Chick\u2011fil\u2011A Shared Table\u00ae program, which redirects surplus food to local shelters and food banks. Additionally, the restaurant highlighted 100 local \u201cheroes\u201d by providing them with free meals for a year, reflecting Morse\u2019s focus on local philanthropy and engagement.[11]\n\nMorse\u2019s platform for the Laurel\u202fPark Town Council is informed by his experience as a small\u2011business owner and community volunteer. He emphasizes economic growth through support of local entrepreneurs, improved public safety through collaboration with law\u2011enforcement, and enhanced quality of life by expanding access to community resources such as food assistance programs. While specific policy proposals have not been published, his track record suggests a focus on fostering partnerships between the private sector and municipal government to address resident needs.\n\nIf elected, Morse would bring a perspective shaped by hands\u2011on management, workforce development, and charitable initiatives, aiming to apply those skills to the governance of Laurel\u202fPark and to advocate for policies that promote both fiscal responsibility and community well\u2011being.\n\n## Sources\n- [11] [Chick-fil-A announces new Lumberton restaurant, opening Oct. 12 | BizFayetteville](https://bizfayetteville.com/restaurants/2023/10/9/chick-fil-a-announces-new-lumberton-restaurant-opening-oct-12/2309)","campaigns":[{"contest":"laurel_park_town_town_council","county":"henderson","county_count":1,"electiondate":"Tue, 03 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT","pgr":"general","state":"NC","title":"Town Of Laurel Park Town Council"}],"cf_filings":[],"firstname":"Mark","fullname":"Mark Joseph Morse","lastname":"Morse","middlename":"Joseph","office_history":[{"campaigns":[{"contest":"laurel_park_town_town_council","contest_title":"Town Of Laurel Park Town Council","county":"henderson","county_count":1,"electiondate":"2026-11-03","office_county":"henderson","office_key":"town_council","office_title":"Town Council Member","party":"","pgr":"general","state":"NC"}],"county":"henderson","cycles":[{"general":{"contest":"laurel_park_town_town_council","contest_title":"Town Of Laurel Park Town Council","county":"henderson","county_count":1,"electiondate":"2026-11-03","office_county":"henderson","office_key":"town_council","office_title":"Town Council Member","party":"","pgr":"general","state":"NC"},"party":"","primary":null,"term":null,"year":2026}],"office_key":"town_council","office_title":"Town Council Member","state":"NC","terms":[]}],"summary":"Mark Joseph Morse, a longtime Chick\u2011fil\u2011A owner\u2011operator and community philanthropist, is running for Laurel\u202fPark Town Council in Henderson, NC.","terms":[],"token":"5a290323d2d2e1a1"}