ELIZABETHTOWN — Bladen County will have a new commissioner when the 2020 general election is complete next fall.
Ashley Trivette on Thursday said she will not seek re-election to the board. Her decision is based on family reasons, and she vowed to give “100 percent” during the final 12 months of her four-year term.
“This decision was a difficult one for me because I love serving the citizens and I am deeply committed to Bladen County, and it’s future,” she said in a statement. “I have thoroughly enjoyed my time in service to our great county.
“However, personal considerations dictate that I make this difficult choice in the best interest of my family. As many of you know, I recently completed a four-year journey of adopting my daughter, and she requires my undivided time, focus and attention, and as her mother, her needs are my top priority. Consequently, it has become clear to me that I would not be able to dedicate the time required to be the effective county commissioner that I strive to be for an additional four-year term.”
Trivette, a Republican, has served District 3. Her seat is one of six up for grabs in next year’s election.
The announcement comes just days before Monday’s opening of the filing period.
The other commissioner spots that will be up for re-election are at-large seats occupied by Democrat Michael Cogdell and Republicans Ray Britt and David Gooden, the District 1 seat of Democrat Dr. Ophelia Munn-Goins, and the District 2 seat of Republican Daniel Dowless.
Republicans hold a 5-4 edge on the panel. The majority of votes over the past year have been decided either unanimously or 5-4 in the majority party’s favor.
In board meetings Trivette regularly participates in discussions, either with questions or opinions. She’s rarely if ever been confrontational with fellow commissioners, or those appearing before the board. She is also at the majority of occasions for which commissioners are invited.
“Please know that I am fully committed to finishing my term and giving this last year as county commissioner my 100 percent,” Trivette said. “While I will not be serving in an official capacity beyond the fall of 2020, I remain steadfast in my love of Bladen County and I will continue to work hard to ensure her successful future. Thank you for trusting me to serve you over the past three years. It has been a true honor.”
Trivette’s win over Democrat Ken Register Jr. in 2016 was her first foray into the political arena. She captured 2,957 votes to Register’s 2,524. Register defeated incumbent Wayne Edge in the March primary that year, by a mere 19 votes. In May of this year, in a redo of the District 3 race from November 2018 that wasn’t verified, Edge was defeated by incumbent Russell Priest by four votes.
