Dante Neal Pittman

Dante Neal Pittman is the incumbent Democratic member of the North Carolina House of Representatives for District 24, a seat he has held since the start of the 2025‑2027 term and for which he is seeking re‑election in the November 3, 2026 general election ¹³. As a state representative, Pittman is responsible for introducing and voting on legislation, serving on House committees, and representing the interests of constituents in Wilson and Nash counties.

Born and raised in Wilson, North Carolina, Pittman graduated from Fike High School before earning a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2018 ⁶¹⁷. He has served in the North Carolina Army National Guard since 2015‑2016, attaining the rank of captain and completing a decade of service to the state and nation ³²⁰.

Pittman’s professional career blends public‑sector management with grant‑writing expertise. He previously worked as the Human Relations Director for the City of Wilson and as an assistant to the city manager, roles in which he helped shape municipal policy and employee relations ⁹¹⁷. He later served as a grant manager and human‑relations director for other organizations, and currently works as a grants consultant and grant writer for Barton College while maintaining his National Guard duties ¹³²⁰.

In the legislature, Pittman has focused on veterans’ issues, education, and rural economic development. He has sponsored a range of bills, including HB 35 to establish Military Appreciation Month, HB 39 for a Disabled Veteran Motor Vehicle Tax Exclusion, HB 69 the Military and Veterans Educational Promise Act, and HB 110 for a National Guard Student Loan Repayment Program, among others ⁵²⁰. He also served on the Appropriations, Commerce and Economic Development, and Emergency Management and Disaster Recovery committees, contributing to budget and policy decisions affecting the state ²⁰.

Pittman first won his seat in the 2024 election, defeating Republican incumbent Ken Fontenot with 51.1% of the vote (21,343 votes) and helping break the Republican supermajority in the House ¹⁶. His victory was highlighted by local media as a historic flip for the district, and he has since been active in community organizations such as the Wilson Education Partnership, Wilson County Community Foundation, and the Wilson County Department of Social Services Board of Directors ¹⁹¹⁸.

Running for a second term, Pittman emphasizes affordable housing, strong public schools, and expanded economic opportunities for eastern North Carolina, positioning himself as a bridge‑builder and problem‑solver for his constituents ⁸¹⁶¹⁸.

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