Kinston has its first candidate for city council.
Robbie Swinson filed for the office at the Lenoir Council Board of Elections on Wednesday, becoming the first person to run for a city council position in Kinston and the only incumbent to file so far. Ralph Clark and John Marks have both filed for mayor.
“I had no intentions on not running,” Swinson said. “I like my position and you don’t see a lot of youngsters taking an interest in politics, so that keeps me in my seat.”
When asked about why younger people haven’t filed in the area, Swinson, 42, said he believes several factors are involved in their thinking.
“I think a lot of young people don’t think they have a voice and feel as though that won’t make a difference,” Swinson said. “Then you have those who simply don’t want to run because of the pressure. This is a 24-hour job. My phone is constantly ringing and people are asking for assistance. Everyone wants to have a life besides politics and some feel they would be unable to do that.”
Swinson — who works at Swinson Funeral Home, which has been in his family since its inception in 1970 — has been a member of the Kinston City Council since 2005. Swinson is seeking his third term in office after there was some doubt about him running because of health issues.
In November, Swinson suffered a massive heart attack that put him on bed rest. While many asked Swinson whether or not he would continue with politics, he said he filed because of the public curiosity and will not change his mind pending his doctor’s opinion. Swinson will see his doctor on Friday and will deliberate from there.
“I wanted to let the people know that I’m running and hoping to represent the city,” Swinson said. “If the doctor says I have problems, then I’ll talk to my family about my political career. Right now, I feel great, but I won’t know anything until Friday.”
Junious Smith III can be reached at 252-559-1077 or Junious.Smith@Kinston.com. Follow him on Twitter at @JuniousSmithIII.
Campaign filings
Here is the list of those who have filed for November’s elections in Lenoir, Greene and Jones counties. Wednesday’s filers are in bold.
LENOIR COUNTY
Kinston
Mayor — Ralph Clark, John Marks, Adrian Meadows
City Councilman (two seats) — Robbie Swinson (incumbent)
La Grange
Town commissioners (three seats) — David Holmes (incumbent), Bobby Wooten (incumbent)
Pink Hill
Town board members (two seats) — Robin King Whaley
GREENE COUNTY
Hookerton
Mayor — Bobby Taylor (incumbent)
Town commissioners (two seats) — none
Snow Hill
Mayor — Dennis Liles (incumbent)
Town commissioners (three seats) — Rebecca “Becky” Scarborough (incumbent), Geraldine “Pat” Shackleford (incumbent)
Walstonburg
Mayor — Susan McKeel Casper (incumbent)
Town commissioners (five seats) — Fitzhugh McKeel Jr. (incumbent)
Maury Sanitation Land District
Board member (three seats) — none
JONES COUNTY
Trenton
Mayor — Darlene Spivey (incumbent)
Town commissioners (three seats) — Daniel Johnson Willis, Robert Horvath (incumbent
Maysville
Mayor — none
Town commissioners (five seats) — Brenda Foy, David Chatman, Bobby Flowers (incumbent)
Pollocksville
Mayor — James V. Bender (incumbent)
Town commissioners (two seats) — none
Sources: Dana King, Director of the Lenoir County Board of Elections; Gail Lee, Director of the Jones County Board of Elections and Jane Monroe, Director of the Greene County Board of Elections