A candidate for the Johnston County Board of Commissioners announced on Friday he is withdrawing his name for consideration.
Brent Wiggs of Clayton tells WTSB News and JoCoReport.com that he has dropped out of the race for the District 6 commissioners seat.
Wiggs, 42, was one of 4 people who applied for the position last Fall when Commissioner Keith Branch resigned 9 months after being sworn in. Wiggs was not selected for the appointment. On November 29th, Wiggs announced he would run in the 2018 elections for the District 6 seat. Today he said that is no longer the case.
“After much prayer, thought and consideration, I’m denouncing my campaign for County Commissioner. I have a lot going on in my personal life and I find it not fair to my family, friends nor the citizens of Johnston County to continue with my campaign,” Wiggs said in an email.
“I want to thank everyone that has supported me thus far and maybe there will be another time for me to pursue the commissioners seat but as of now, it’s just not the right time. I wish all the candidates the best of luck, and to serve the people of Johnston County well.”
Wiggs, 42, is a 1993 graduate of Smithfield Selma High School. He is a committee member of the local Delta Waterfowl chapter and a longtime member of Ducks Unlimited. He is a current member at First Baptist Church in Smithfield and a former deacon at Wilson’s Mills Baptist Church. He has coached various sports teams in Wilson’s Mills and Smithfield Parks and Recreation.
Wiggs is also a small business owner operating Little Creek Labs. He is a four time winner of Salesperson of the Year for his job at Mutual Distributing, the only salesperson to obtain this achievement.
A total of 4 seats on the Johnston County Board of Commissioners will be up for reelection in 2018.
In the District 6 race, Lee Jackson of Smithfield who was appointed to the seat last Fall has announced he will seek election. Former Commissioner Chairman Tony Braswell of Pine Level has also announced he will seek the position.
Along with the District 6 seat, seats held by Commissioner Chad Stewart in District 3, Cookie Pope in District 4, and Allen Mims in District 7 are all up for election. Pope announced last week she will not seek re-election. Stewart and Mims have both announced they will seek another term.
