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Nigel Bristow

DemocraticFirst-time candidate

Law enforcement officer

Nigel Bristow is a Democratic candidate for U.S. House North Carolina District 9 in the 2026 election. This is their first run for office.

From the candidate’s public filings

Background

Nigel Bristow was born in New York, New York. He earned a bachelor's degree from John Jay College in 1994. His career experience includes working as a law enforcement officer.[1]

Bristow has been affiliated with the following organizations:[1]

Richmond County Local Re-entry Council

Community Centers Coalition of Richmond County

Ashley Chapel Community Center Coalition

New Horizons of Richmond County

Bachelor's:
John Jay College, 1994

Campaign money

Raised
—
From individuals
$0
From PACs & party
$0
Own money
—

FEC filings.

View on FEC.gov(opens in new tab)

In their own words

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I am a married father who has committed my entire adult life to public service. I have 35 years of law enforcement experience which includes 20 years with the NYPD where I retired as a Homicide Detective. I am a Chief Probation/Parole Officer with the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction and have been employed with them for approximately 15 years. I am a Deacon in my family church. I chair several community-based organizations. Those organizations include the Ashley Chapel Community Center, the Richmond County Reentry Council, the Community Center Coalition of Richmond County, and the New Horizons Life and Family Services. In 2023 I received the Governor's Award for Excellence in the field of Public Service. In 2023 and 2024 I was named man of the year by the Pee Dee Baptist Educational Organization.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

As your Representative I will provide a moral agenda of fair and equal treatment for all people.As your Representative I have one job. That job is to make your life better. I intend to make your life better by enacting Legislation and providing funding that will enhance your quality of life.Congress was enacted to be the voice of the people. That voice has been silenced. I am running to return the people's voice to Congress. The Capitol is the People's House. Therefore, they should be represented by someone who has their best interests at heart and who listens to them. The people need a representative that identifies their needs and works together with other representatives regardless of their political affiliation in order to provide for all people.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I am passionate about the policies that affect the economy. Essentially, I am looking to enact policies that promote financial stability and provide for programs that will support and strengthen working families so that they are not just living paycheck to paycheck but have financial prosperity.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Elected Officials must have accountability and responsibility. They must be held to a higher standard. They needed to understand that they work for the people and not the other way around. They must be held accountable for any wrongdoing or any issues of moral turpitude. There must also be transparency. The people have a right to know what their elected officials are doing while they are in office. There should not be any secrets or surprises while they govern.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

A representative must be honest, trustworthy and loyal to the people they serve. They are responsible for serving the needs of all people regardless of their political affiliation or economic status. They simply must work hard with others to make a better life for all people. The government's main job simply is service, service to the people.

What legacy would you like to leave?

I want people to be able to say that my life, my family's life is better now thanks to Representative Bristow and his hard work and commitment.

Do you believe that it's beneficial for representatives to have previous experience in government or politics?

No it is not necessary. Being a career politician does not make you a good politician. Simply you must be willing to serve the people and put their interest over your own.

Do you believe that two years is the right term length for representatives?

Yes, because it forces them to get to work immediately for the people and to earn another term,

What are your thoughts on term limits?

I believe in term limits. Term limits will ensure that law makers will continue to serve the peoples interests knowing that they have a set time to get things done. Term limits will also reduce the possibility of corruption, greed and favortisim.

Do you believe that compromise is necessary or desirable for policymaking?

We must have compromise in order to achieve the very best life for all people.

How should the U.S. House use its investigative powers?

Fairly, equally and with transparency.

What are your views on financial transparency and government accountability?

There must be financial transparency and government accountability so that the people remain informed and can trust their leaders to do the right thing for all people.

Campaign websiteBristow's campaign website stated the following:ON THE ISSUESI am campaigning on being the voice of and for the people. I am looking to serve their best interests in order to better enhance their quality of life which would include but not be limited to affordable health care, protection from increasing gun violence and the ability to work a living wage. It is the Duty of Congress to enact laws that enhance the lives of all people. Congress was enacted to be the voice of the people. You are the people.  I pledge that if elected I will listen to you and understand your needs and serve your interests and your family's interest. This is your Congress. Laws should be enacted to enhance your quality of life not prejudicially impede it.  Equal rights and Democracy issues rank among my top 5 priorities in Congress.  Democracy has always been our bedrock principle however it seems to be lost on some of our lawmakers today. One by one our rights and freedoms guaranteed by the constitution are being stripped away. We are at the crossroads now. We now have the ability through this election to right the wrongs perpetrated by those in power that have been corrupted by greed and power. As a person of color I also remain committed to racial justice and the creation of harassment free spaces. We are living in dangerous times today. There are those currently seeking office that have demonstrated their racial biases, sexist beliefs and disdain for our constitution. It will take honest people like myself and others seeking office that are loyal to the belief that all are created equal and that we all have the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.​MY PLATFORM:I will codify the following into law, as your Representative:Roe v. Wade - Ensure a woman's right to unrestricted and vital healthcareEnsure affordable, quality mental healthcare for allAddress climate change - Work to take steps to ensure clean air and water for generations to comeI want to make your life better by providing economic prosperity by way of the following:Raising the Federal minimum wageProvide additional funding for child careIncrease funding for schools to ensure a quality education for allProvide family leaveIncentivize builders to build more affordable housingAddress inflation, 'shrinkflation', corporate greed, and price gougingIncentivize companies seeking to bring in new jobs to allow labor unions to offer those needed protections to workersContinue funding to provide affordable high speed Internet accessProtect and expand affordable healthcare for allExtended Military Benefits - Address quality of healthcare and the lack of efficiency in scheduling appointments with VA facilities, help surviving family members of veterans get the benefits they are entitled toProvide a Federal benefit to members of Law Enforcement and their families that are injured or killed in the line of duty​I will work to ensure our seniors have dignity in retirement by: Preserving our Democracy - Voting Rights & Fair Maps CommissionProtect Medicare, Medicaid & Social Security Dependable, and affordable healthcareDecent, affordable housingAffordable transportation when seniors don't have personal vehicles or drivers license Statewide improvements in internet/communication infrastructureLifelong learning opportunities -- like free Community College classesProtect the environment; climate change; clean air & waterAddress disinformation and misinformation; hold companies accountable for deceiving seniors— Nigel Bristow's campaign website (February 12, 2026)Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I am married and have two children ages 6 and 8. I have dedicated my entire adult life to public service. I retired from the New York City Police Department as a Detective after twenty years of dedicated service. I Relocated to North Carolina and had a house built on land that was once owned by my great grandfather. I serve as trustee of the church that my mother was raised in. Currently I am a deacon in training soon to be ordained. I work for the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction and have been employed with them since 2011.

I strive to do all that I can to enhance the quality of life for the people of the community. I am the Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Ashley Chapel Community Center. I also serve as Chairman for the Board of Directors for New Horizons which is the domestic violence agency that services domestic violence survivors in Richmond County. I serve as Chairman to the Community Center Coalition of Richmond County. The Coalition is a network of Community centers in Richmond County that work together to identify resources and promote the quality of life for all the people of Richmond County. I also serve as Chairman to the Richmond County Local Re-entry Council. The Council's mission is to help justice involved individuals returning to the community to successfully reintegrate with society. This is accomplished by identifying the needs of these individuals and performing partnerships with identified community-based resources.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

It is the duty iof congress to enact laws that influence the lives of all Americans. Congress's intent and purpose is to be the voice of the people.Some law makers have strayed away from that. If elected I will be your voice. I will listen to you and address your needs and serve your interest.I will identify the resources needed to address the needs and concerns of the community and apply what is needed to enhance the quality of life for allWith me you will always get accountability and responsibility. I will make myself available to my constituents and serve with transparency.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

There are many areas of public policy that I am personally passionate about. I have a growing concern over lack of affordable health care, I am also troubled by the lack of appropriate medical and housing services for our military vets. I am disturbed by those lawmakers that refuse to work across the aisle in order to what they were sent to Congress for which is to work diligently for the American people.

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

No

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

To be accountable to the people, responsible in their leadership. They must serve with integrity, transparency and be impartial.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

I have dedicated my entire adult life to public service. I served 20 years as a police officer and 13 years as a probation/parole officer for the state of North Carolina for a total of 33 years in Law Enforcement. I have the ability to connect with people and to identify and solve problems. My experience as Chairman with different organizations demonstrates my ability to form partnerships with community based resources to address the needs of others.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

To be present and perform the job you were elected to do and to do so with honor.

What legacy would you like to leave?

I want people to be able to say that I made things better and that I made it possible for them to flourished to experience a high quality of life.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

The Iran Hostage Crisis of 1979. At the time I was 9 years old.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

Nigel

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

Bristow

Do you believe that it's beneficial for representatives to have previous experience in government or politics?

No it is not necessary. There should be a willingness to be a voice of the people and wok with others to solve problems and enhance the quality of life for all.

What do you perceive to be the United States' greatest challenges as a nation over the next decade?

The perceived divisiveness of the Country and the inability for lawmakers to work together to identify, address and solve America's problems.

Do you believe that two years is the right term length for representatives?

Yes

What are your thoughts on term limits?

I think term limits is necessary to ensure that law makers remain accountable to their constituents and if they fail to be effective then it makes room for new leaderships. Term limits would also reduce corruption.

Is there a particular representative, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?

No

Both sitting representatives and candidates for office hear many personal stories from the residents of their district. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching, memorable, or impactful?

No

Do you believe that compromise is necessary or desirable for policymaking?

Yes

The Constitution says that all bills for raising revenue must originate in the House. What role would this power play in your priorities if elected?

Although it may be significant It would not be to the detriment of the people.

How should the U.S. House use its investigative powers?

Fairly and with our prejudice. They must not be used for revenge.

On the 2026 ballot

Links

Compiled from the candidate’s published profile as of September 30, 2026 and FEC filings.

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