A candidate for the Johnston County School Board has withdrawn from the race.
On Thursday, Rev. John Brantley told JoCoReport.com that he is withdrawing from the election and suspending his campaign. “As a vicar, father, husband, and professional I feel that I am unable to commit the time and energy that the people of this county deserve from their elected officials.”
Brantley is one of 11 candidates who had been running for the school board.
Johnston County Board of Elections Director Leigh Anne Price told JoCoReport.com on Thursday that Brantley had not notified elections officials of his intent to withdraw. Price said even if Brantley notified officials immediately of his withdrawal, it would still be too late to remove his name from the March 15th primary ballot.
Brantley did say he plans to seek office next year, not on the Johnston County School Board, rather he said he plans to run for mayor in the Town of Princeton. “I do intend to return in 2017 in the Princeton, NC Mayoral election. I will continue my efforts in advocating change and the establishment of honest and transparent administrative policy both at the school and county level.”
Among those actively seeking one of 4 seats on the Board of Education include two incumbents, Mike Wooten of Princeton and Peggy Smith of Angier and 8 challengers: Dale Bender of Clayton, Teresa Grant of Garner, Summer Hamrick of Smithfield, Jeffrey Jennings of Clayton, Ronald Johnson of Clayton, Crystal Kimpson Roberts of Smithfield, Todd Sutton of Kenly, and Chip Swartz of Clayton.
School board member Donna White is running for a NC House seat and board member Keith Branch is running for a county commissioner seat.
