Orange County commissioners candidates start lining up for 2018 race

Former school board member Jamezetta Bedford will make another run for the county commissioners next year.

“As the mother of three, including a daughter with autism, and the grandmother of two young children,” Bedford, 59, said in a news release, “I am deeply invested in our community, especially in the quality and equity of government service and education we provide to our residents.”

This will be Bedford’s second commissioners race, following an unsuccessful bid in 2016 when she came in third.

Bedford said she will file Feb. 12 to run for the Orange County Board of Commissioners District 1 seat currently held by Mia Burroughs. Burroughs plans to leave the board in 2018 after one term in office. Her district includes Chapel Hill and Carrboro.

Orange County Commissioner Earl McKee, who was first elected in 2010, also plans to seek another four-year term.

Bedford said she would make education, economic development, fiscal planning, sustainability, social services and equity her priorities if elected.

“I have extensive knowledge in education and tax policy and also understand the role Orange County plays in providing affordable housing as well as mental health, senior and disability services,” she said.

Bedford has more than 12 years of experience as a Certified Public Accountant and currently works at Coleman Huntoon & Brown. She also is a member of the Orange County ABC Board and president of the Democratic Women of Orange County.

She was a member of the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools Board of Education for 12 years, including three years as chairwoman. She left the board in 2015 and was appointed in 2016 to the County Bond Education Committee. She also volunteered with the local referendum committee to work for passage of the $125 million affordable housing and schools bonds.

Besides McKee, Commissioner Barry Jacobs also is eligible for re-election to the seven-member board next year. Jacobs was not immediately available for comment about his plans.

McKee said Thursday he won’t make a formal announcement until after the new year, but he does plan to seek another four years serving District 2, which covers much of rural Orange County.

“I think I’ve got a little bit more to give, so if the folks want me back, I’m going to give them the opportunity to make their voices known,” McKee said.

Candidates for the 2018 county election can file Feb. 12-28 at the Orange County Board of Elections. The primary will be held May 8.

This story was originally published December 14, 2017 at 9:01 AM with the headline "Orange County commissioners candidates start lining up for 2018 race."