E.T. Mitchell to run for re-election in 2022 Craven County commissioner race
Craven County Commissioner Etteinne "E.T." Mitchell announced Wednesday morning she will seek re-election in the upcoming 2022 commissioner race.
Currently serving as District 4 representative, including River Bend, Trent Woods, and the Spencer Avenue area, Mitchell will run to serve her second term on the board of commissioners.
Mitchell explained she does not deem her campaign as a "re-election" or an attempt to retain her seat. Instead, it is viewed as the people's seat.
"North Carolina and Craven County are my forever home. I love this community and it has been good to me and my family," Mitchell said. "I want to give back to it. I've served my country and I view it as an opportunity to continue serving the people."
Since retiring to New Bern in 2009, Mitchell has focused on local and state issues that impact Craven. She currently serves on North Carolina’s Military Affairs Commission, and previously, on the Veterans Affairs Commission, due to her experience as an active duty naval officer and her family background.
When asked about the future for county residents, Mitchell said the key is to preserve and polish the quality of life currently available, while adding smart growth to the area.
"We have to keep taxes low, jobs coming in so that the younger generation have employment and can build careers, families, and lives here," added Mitchell. "We need careful, smart growth to preserve what makes this area so unique."
At the local level, Mitchell was appointed to fill former Aldermen Pat Schaible's Ward 3 seat on the New Bern Board of Aldermen when Schaible resigned from her elected position in mid-2016. Later that year, Mitchell did not run for aldermen after completed her appointed term.
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Elected to the board of commissioners in 2018, Mitchell ran unopposed in the general election, after beating fellow republican candidate Billy Joiner with 64% of the vote during that year's primary.
Mitchell said she believes she has a good grasp of issues inside and outside of her current district.
"River Bend has a little bit older community, though some younger people are moving there. Across the bridge and in Trent Woods there are more younger people coming in, so there are different needs. It goes back to making sure we have that smart growth for everyone."
Reporter Trevor Dunnell can be reached by email at tdunnell@newbernsj.com. Please consider supporting local journalism by signing up for a digital subscription.
This article originally appeared on Sun Journal: Craven commissioner E.T. Mitchell announces her 2022 re-election run
