![Keith Branch, a member of the Johnston County School Board, filed Wednesday for the Johnston County Board of County Commissioners.](https://i0.wp.com/www.jocoreport.com//wp-content/uploads/2015/12/Keith-Branch-Filing-FI.gif?resize=300%2C200)
The filing period for the 2016 elections got off to a strong start with a number of candidates filing for office.
Keith Branch, a current member on the Johnston County Board of Education, filed Wednesday for the Johnston County Board of Commissioners. Branch is seeking the District 6 seat being vacated by Commissioner Tony Braswell of Pine Level. “Being a lifelong resident of Johnston County, my top priority as a County Commissioner will be to insure that I do my part to continue to make our county great,” Branch said.
Two incumbent county commissioners, Jeff Carver and Ted Godwin both filed for re-election on Tuesday. DeVan Barbour IV also filed Tuesday for the seat being vacated by his father, Commissioner DeVan Barbour, who announced he would not seek re-election next year.
![Summer Hamrick of Smithfield filed Wednesday for the Johnston County School Board.](https://i0.wp.com/www.jocoreport.com//wp-content/uploads/2015/12/Summer-Hammrick-Filing-FI.gif?resize=300%2C200)
There is strong interest in the Johnston County Board of Education race. On Wednesday, Summer Hamrick of Smithfield filed for the school board. She was accompanied by her husband, Bruce, as she filled out paperwork at the Johnston County Board of Elections Office. “I feel that I can be a great asset to the Johnston County Board of Education, if elected. I understand what parents go through on a daily basis and want to be a listening and understanding ear for the educators and parents alike.”
Incumbent school board member Mike Wooten filed for his third term on Tuesday. Also filing for the school board were Teresa Grant, Todd Sutton, Tom Randolph and Jeff Jennings.
![Donna White of Clayton, a member of the Johnston County School Board, files for the NC House District 26 seat.](https://i0.wp.com/www.jocoreport.com//wp-content/uploads/2015/12/Donna-White-Filing-FI.gif?resize=300%2C200)
Current school board member Donna White filed Tuesday for the NC House District 26 seat being vacated by retiring Representative Leo Daughtry.
The filing period opened at Noon on Tuesday, Dec. 1st and will close on Monday, Dec. 21st at Noon. The elections will take place on March 15, 2016. The last day to register to vote for the March 15 election is February 19, 2016.