SMITHFIELD – Today, Richard “Dickie” Braswell was sworn in as the newest Johnston County Commissioner at the County Courthouse in downtown Smithfield. Mr. Braswell was accompanied by his family Loretta Braswell, Kaylon Braswell, Page Bizzell and Peyton Bizzell.
County Commissioner Patrick Harris, County Manager Rick Hester, and Chief Deputy Bengie Gaddis were also in attendance as Mr. Braswell took the oath of office around 11:00 a.m. this morning.
Mr. Braswell fills the District 3 Commissioner seat left vacant by former Chairman Chad Stewart. He is a life-long resident of Johnston County and currently a resident of Princeton. Mr. Braswell works as a real estate developer and is a retired construction company owner and chief executive officer. Mr. Braswell has served as the Chairman of the Moccasin Creek Board for 22 years and has been a member of the Land Use Committee, the Princeton Lions Club, Princeton Booster Club, the Little League Board and the Boy Scouts Legacy Club.
“We’ve got a lot of growth in this County and we need to do everything we can to foster that growth,” Braswell said after taking the oath of office. “I’m going to be a strong proponent for organized growth. I want to support our farmers and all of our industry. I hope to be a champion for the people, that’s what I hope to do.”
The District 3 Commissioner seat became vacant when former Chairman Stewart announced his departure to fill a position with the Johnston County ABC Board in early November.
Mr. Braswell will fill out Stewart’s unexpired term ending in December 2022. Braswell said he will run for election to the District 3 seat next year.
