Representative Frank Iler has served North Carolina’s House District 17 for four-and-a-half terms; he is now seeking his fifth. The district includes most of Brunswick County – about 72% of it. The remainder of Brunswick County joins about a quarter of neighboring New Hanover County to make up House District 18 – which is served by Democratic Representative Deb Butler.
It was 2009 when Iler was appointed to replace Bonner Stiller, who was retiring. The last four elections have seen Iler consistently beat his Democratic challenger with between 66 and 68% of the vote.
Candidates in order of appearance:
Representative Frank Iler, a Republican, has worked as a cost accountant and budget supervisor in the textile industry, he has owned a fast-food franchise, and he’s worked in sales and marketing. He now Chairs the Transportation Committee, the House Select Committee on North Carolina River Quality, the Appropriations Transportation Committee, and the Joint Legislative Transportation Oversight Committee.
Tom Simmons, Democratic Challenger, has lived in Brunswick County for more than four-and-a-half decades. Simmons spent thirty years working as a classroom teacher, assistant principal and principal at the elementary, middle, and high school levels in Southeastern North Carolina. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Physical Education at the University of North Carolina Wilmington and went on to earn a Master of Education at the University of South Carolina. He is also a graduate of East Carolina University's Educational Doctorate Degree program. He serves as the Vice President of Education for the Boys and Girls Homes of North Carolina.
