Get to know Rep.-elect Kevin Crutchfield

June 13, 2022 at 11:17 a.m.

By Colin Campbell
NC Tribune

Cattle farmer, sign company owner and real-estate development Kevin Crutchfield won last month’s Republican primary in a newly drawn House District 83 covering portions of Cabarrus and Rowan counties. No Democrats filed for the seat, so Crutchfield will begin his first elected role next year.

What are the current and past jobs you’ve held outside of politics? President and CFO of Crutchfield Farms since 2015; president and general manager of Casco Signs since 1998; president and CEO of The Crutchfield Group, a real-estate and equipment leasing company, since 1998; former purchasing agent and software developer at IBM

Why did you run for state legislature instead of another elected office you might have considered? The opportunities for me to be in a position to positively affect the quality of life for North Carolinians, including my 9 grandchildren, will be best served by this position. I have always thought I would participate in politics and when this opportunity opened, I received it as an answer to prayerful consideration. It's my opportunity to serve the community that has provided me so much.

If you could enact a single piece of legislation into law today, what would it be? When my 7-year-old grandson found out I might be in a position to pass laws, his first request was that I pass a law to require people to return shopping carts to the store after use. Once I explained the complications of enforcement, he agreed that police officers have much more important task to focus on.

As for me, I have an interest in lowering healthcare costs for small businesses, I want my granddaughters protected from participating in sports against biological male athletes, and I would like city, county and state regulators to be a service organization for the taxpayers and measured by their service quality to name a few.

Where do you most enjoy taking an out-of-town visitor in your district? A trip to our farm is often a highlight for folks that don't find themselves on a farm very often. We have many attractions in our district – multiple great restaurants and a trip to Charlotte for college football, professional football, baseball or soccer is often very enjoyable. 

What is your favorite hobby outside of work? I have a cattle farm which consumes much of my free time. I have nine grandchildren and one of them often has a ball game or recital that fills in the calendar. Occasionally I play golf with friends and business colleges. I do enjoy hunting, especially when it involves one of my grandkids.

Who do you most admire, and why? I have been very blessed to have many incredible people that have helped to shape who I am today. These men and women have shown me how to work hard, to appreciate all those around you that help you get there, all while remaining humble. Included in this list are, my parents of course, Jim and Rae Skiles, Mike and Joni Wood, Ken Barbee, Ken Brown, Tom Gill, my grandparents, Charlie Gruesbeck, my sons, Michael, Matthew and Andrew, and my bride of 40 years Cheryl.