SMITHFIELD – The filing period for the 2024 elections got underway at 12 Noon today (Monday) at the Johnston County Board of Elections Office. There are a number of local seats up for election this year, which is expected to drawn considerable interest.
County Commissioners
There are four seats up for election on the Johnston County Board of Commissioners. Those seats are currently held by Commissioners Fred Smith (District 1), Ted Godwin (District 2), April Stephens (District 4), and Tony Braswell (District 6). Smith and Braswell previously announced they would not be seeking re-election.
Today, Commissioner Godwin filed for re-election in District 2 and Bill Stovall filed for the open seat in District 6.
Godwin said, “My goal is to see our recently adopted Land Use Plan effectively translated into meaningful ordinances that will better manager this growth we’re being overrun with. I grew up in Johnston County and I’d like to see us (the county) maintain the quality of life we all deserve and want to see preserved. ‘Growth’ at any cost is just too expensive in the long run.”
Mr. Stovall is campaigning on three main topics Infrastructure, Education, and Public Safety. He said the county has to do a better job managing residential construction with infrastructure challenges. Stovall said he is concerned about the loss of farm land to residential development. All of this he said, needs to be balanced with job growth.
Board of Education
Four seats are up for election on the Johnston County Board of Education. Those seats are currently held by Lyn Andrews, Mike Wooten, Kay Carroll, and Ronald Johnson. The school board recently adopted a residency district election plan. All the seats are for four-year terms.
STATE RACES
State Senate District 10
Senator. Benton Sawrey (R-Johnston) filed earlier today for re-election to the North Carolina Senate. “One year ago, the citizens of Johnston County elected me to represent them in the state Senate. Since then, we’ve cut taxes for North Carolina families, passed common sense election integrity measures, and worked to support our law enforcement. We passed the Farm Act and expanded school choice for our children. And we’re just getting started. This community means everything to me, and I will never stop fighting for our values.”
Benton currently represents North Carolina Senate District 10, which includes all of Johnston County. The most recent redistricting did not change any part of the district. He serves on the Senate Committees for Education, Health Care, Judiciary and State & Local Government.
House District 26
Representative Donna White filed this afternoon for another term representing House District 26.
House District 28
Incumbent Rep. Larry Strickland filed Monday afternoon for re-election. He will be challenged for the District 28 seat by Smithfield resident Elizabeth Ann Temple. Temple said she wants to be a voice for women, minorities, and children.
The filing period for the 2024 elections closes on Friday, December 15 at 12 Noon. Local candidates can file at the Johnston County Board of Elections Office at 205 S. Second Street in Smithfield.
The 2024 filing fees are:
NC State Senator $139.51
NC House of Representatives $139.51
County Commissioners $243.11
Board of Education $175.85
The filing fee is calculated by one percent of the annual starting salary of the office.
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This story has been updated
Time to get rid of the County Commissioner’s. Get out and vote but remember what they have and have not done with all there empty promises of what they would do.
Well, JoCo, we have the opportunity to rid this county of the corruption on our “Boards” (County Commissioners & BoE) and the lies told to our citizens by members on those boards!! VOTE THEM OUT NOW…. or hold the comments later!!
*** VOTE OUT CORRUPTION!! ***
One devil verses the other… how do we decide 🤔