SMITHFIELD – Johnston County Commissioner Tony Braswell announced this week he will not seek reelection in 2024. Mr. Braswell has served on the Board of Commissioners since December 2004. He served as Vice Chairman from 2013-2014 and Chairman from 2015-2016.
“After serving 18 years, and it was an incredible experience, I have no regrets, I would not trade it for anything in the world,” Commissioner Braswell said this week. “It has been my passion to help people, but the time has come. I am up in age. I want to spend more time with my family and do other things right now. I think the time is right.”
Braswell said Johnston County is on the right track.
“The County is in great hands. We are in great shape financially. What we did from 2004 to 2023 has been incredible with the growth we’ve had. It is not anything I had to do individually, it is about the board and what we accomplished.”
Braswell said four of the seven commissioners are over age 70. He would like to see younger people run for office.
“I think the county needs some different… a breakdown of age. We’ve got four of us over 70, and I’m not saying that is bad, but that you need knowledge and a mixture. So the ones that came in 2018, they have been there 4 years, they’re learning and dong well. It’s time for me to again as I said, to do some things i haven’t had a chance to do because of being a county commissioner. The reason is because it’s so demanding, the hours we work, the things that we do, but again I wouldn’t trade it for anything.”
Braswell, age 78, plans to remain fully involved on the board through the end of 2024 until his replacement is selected to the District 6 seat. Afterwards, he has a few plans in the works.
“First, I want to spend a little more time at the beach, travel, and then spend more time with distance family, located in other parts of the United States. I want to spend more time with my children and put the priority of being a parent first, Sometimes I haven’t been able to put that priority first because of my role and responsibilities as a commissioner,” Braswell stated.
“I want to thank the voters who elected me, and for those who didn’t vote for me, it has been my honor to have served each and everyone of you. It has really been an honor.”
“It has been my passion to help people”
passion to help yourself is more like it. You and the other members of the JoCo commissioners sold out to the highest developer bidder. Guess it is time to move on since you and the others got some nice bank in the great sell out.
Where is your proof on these accusations?
Why do we need proof? the dems never have proof for their indictments.
Unfortunately this good old boy, will just be replaced by another good old boy.
#Termlimits
Good riddance, you have done nothing but underhanded, closed door, shady dealings since you have been in office. Not to mention your latest backroom dealings concerning local fire departments and the attempted takeover of one. No doubt you will continue your shady dealings, at least now you will not be on the board of commissioners.
GOOD! Now take the rest with you!
Mr. Braswell also known as the Tony “WRAL” Braswell you have served us well as a closet Democrat. We still have not lost all fellow progressive liberals, our strongest ace in the hole is our George Soros DA office that is going to LOCK HIM UP!!! Meaning Ron-Jon is getting the same Washington justice playbook treatment as your beloved Donald J Trump is and they are going to get JAIL TIME!!! or resign and never run for any office again! Hey folks, it’s their choice? Laughing all the way to the drop box with boxes of just found ballots!!!
Mr Braswell served over 18 years. He must have done something right. I’m not saying he was an angel, but he garnered the necessary votes to continue. He also expressed the need for a younger dynamic on the board. Wish him the best in the future.
@Grandma: The fact that he was repeatedly reelected says more about the JoCo electorate (#Sheep) than Braswell. #VoteOutIncumbents
Wish Mr. Braswell the best in his retirement. He did what he could and was able to do as a commissioner. Hard to get agendas completed when one is out voted by other members. Enjoy your retirement sir.