ROCKINGHAM — The Richmond County Board of Commissioners saw a historic change in leadership following the 2020 election.
It started when longtime commissioners Kenneth Robinette and John Garner decided not to run for another term. The two had been on the board for more than two decades and served as chairman and vice chairman, respectively, for most of their tenure.
Robinette said it was just time for new blood and new leadership on the board.
With two open seats, the election brought the defeat of now-former commissioner Jimmy Capps and the voting-in of three Republicans: Jeff Smart, Toni Maples and Andy Grooms.
Grooms subsequently won a recount challenge from Democratic candidate Michael Legrand.
Ben Moss, who served on the board for a decade, had been the first Republican elected as a commissioner in more than a century.
Moss won his election bid for the N.C. House of Representatives, again becoming the first Republican in recent memory to secure the seat.
With his departure from the county board, the executive committee of the Republican Party of Richmond County selected von Drehle Director of Operations Justin Dawkins to fill the vacancy, a selection which was approved by the outgoing commissioners.
The four new commissioners joined Don Bryant, Tavares Bostic and Rick Watkins on the board.
Following a swearing-in ceremony earlier this month, Smart and Dawkins were chosen to be chairman and vice chairman, respectively.
