Meet The Team

Hi, I’m Carter Zook, and I am incredibly honored to serve as the Chairman of the North Carolina Teenage Republicans. I stepped into this role because I want to make sure our generation has a meaningful, active voice in the future of the state and country we love.

For me, leading NCTARS is about building community and creating genuine opportunities for grassroots activism. I am completely against the tribalism that defines modern politics. I want to bring a more principled, diplomatic approach to leadership, because our energy is better spent championing conservative solutions rather than ruthlessly attacking the opposition just because they are blue. My leadership is guided daily by my faith. I am an unapologetic Christian, and volunteering on my church’s production team reminds me that true leadership always starts with a servant's heart.

Outside of politics, I am just a normal student balancing a busy high school schedule. I am heavily involved in AFJROTC, which has taught me a lot about discipline and citizenship. I also stay active training as a varsity runner at Mount Pleasant, working toward my private pilot license, following motorsports, and focusing on a more natural, intentional approach to everyday health and living.

I’m a passionate teenage Republican from North Carolina who cares deeply about my faith, my community, and the country I call home. I love being involved, meeting new people, and having conversations about the issues that matter to me. Outside of politics, you’ll usually find me singing on a worship team, cheering on Duke, or spending time with my friends and family.

Every successful organization needs a foundation of wisdom, experience, and steadfast support, and for NCTARS, that foundation is Mark Edwards. As our Senior Advisor, Mark brings an unmatched wealth of leadership, political acumen, and dedication to the next generation of conservative leaders. We are incredibly blessed to have him in our corner, and quite frankly, we couldn't do this work without him. His guidance keeps us grounded, his mentorship helps us grow, and his belief in the youth of North Carolina fuels everything we do. We love him, we appreciate him, and we rely on his insight every single day.

A Wake Forest Law graduate, Mark brings invaluable legal expertise and a deep heart for community service to our board. His impact on our state's conservative movement is legendary; he is an NCGOP Hall of Fame inductee who models exactly what true, principled leadership looks like. Beyond politics, he remains a dedicated family man, church deacon, and local board member here in North Carolina.