Taylor Newton is running for Hickory City Council in Ward 5 because she believes thoughtful, community-centered leadership can help shape the city’s next chapter. As a professor, she has built her career on navigating uncertainties through careful research and deep listening—skills she considers essential for effective public service. As a parent with children in Hickory’s public schools, she is personally invested in creating a future that works for all of Hickory’s families.

She has led community education initiatives at Lenoir-Rhyne University and currently serves as chair of the City of Hickory's University City Commission. Alongside her family, she runs a small apiary called Bearded Bee, selling honey to support local nonprofit organizations and also spends time volunteering with the Hickory Soup Kitchen and as a community representative with Catawba County Social Services. Her work has given her firsthand insight into a fundamental truth: building strong communities is essential for our local resilience.

Taylor aims to bring her professional skills, local experience, and hands-on service to the table to help ensure opportunity and dignity are within reach for everyone who calls Hickory home.