Keith Branch Files To Challenge Incumbent Butch Lawter For Commissioner Seat
JOHNSTON COUNTY – Keith Branch of Clayton filed Monday to run for the Johnston County Board of Commissioners, seeking the District 7 seat in the upcoming election. Branch will challenge incumbent R.S. “Butch” Lawter, also of Clayton, who filed for reelection on Dec. 1.
Branch is a Smithfield native and a graduate of Smithfield-Selma Senior High School. He previously served a total of nine years in public office, including terms on both the Johnston County Board of Commissioners and the Johnston County Board of Education, making him one of only two people in county history to have served on both boards.
“Johnston County is experiencing unprecedented growth. Citizens deserve
leaders who listen, who act with common sense with objectivity and compassion, and who make sound business decisions for now and the future, I have a heart for service and I am ready to finish the work I began.”
His professional background includes owning and operating an Allstate insurance agency in Clayton for 17 years and working for a decade with the North Carolina State Auditor’s Office. He holds a degree in accounting from North Carolina State University. Branch has lived in several Johnston County communities, including Wilson’s Mills, where he served on the town’s Planning Board, and now resides in Clayton with his wife, Sandra.
Mr. Branch emphasized collaboration between county commissioners and school leaders as an important part of addressing community needs.
Branch recently ran an unsuccessful campaign for a seat on the Clayton Town Council on Nov. 4.
The filing period remains open through noon Friday, Dec. 19 at the Johnston County Board of Elections office in Smithfield.
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12 Comments
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WoW, now you get to choose from two people that don’t care about anything but themselves.
Wow he just lost in Clayton for commissioner an now doing this as he stepped down for our commissioner board an been gone for yrs is he looking a ride on tax payers back are u seriously thinking man
I doubt he’s banking on the low-$20K annual income for his survival.
Personal attacks on either of these guy’s isn’t right. Just because you disagree with them doesn’t mean they don’t care about the county. Having said that, I am definitely ready to see folks stand up like Mr Branch in opposition. I just wish it was about lowering the ridiculous tax increase that was imposed on us rather than the school system. I follow the YouTube channel that posts the commissioners meetings. I still can’t believe that republicans raised our property taxes that high…in one year. Unbelievable.
There’s definitely a reason why he doesn’t stay anywhere long..
He’s stayed places long. That doesn’t even make sense. He briefly relocated for his wife. I’ve known him for 30 years and I’d vote for him and we aren’t even the same party. He’s a good guy.
Actually he resigned as county Commissioner 7 years ago why is he want to run again all this time he was living out of state??
“Why is he want”? Ummm because he moved out of the county and had to resign. Now he moved back.
The passing of Numerous School Bonds are responsible for the raising of Property Taxes. Research where the money comes from for School Bonds.
I am for any commissioner who is against the over development of this county. We have seen nothing but increases since the current commissioners began selling out. Increase in crime, traffic, taxes, over crowded schools, utility rate increases, wrecks, road construction , everything has gone up and nothing has gotten significantly better. STOP OVERDEVELOPMENT!
Amen.
To all the haters, Why don’t you run for this seat? 🤔