The Board of Orange County Commissioners did not take long to decide the newest member of its ranks on Tuesday night.
Phyllis Portie-Ascott was unanimously appointed by the six elected commissioners during the board’s first meeting of February. The Durham real estate broker and first vice chair of the Orange County Democratic Party was selected from a group of five applicants during a public, paper ballot vote.
Portie-Ascott’s appointment comes after Renée Price’s election to the North Carolina House of Representatives left a vacant seat. Price, who served as chair of the board for two years, was re-elected to the District 2 seat in 2020 — meaning Portie-Ascott will serve for two years before the seat is up for election in 2024.
She was also the candidate heavily preferred by the Orange County Democratic Party — with 77.5 percent of votes during the party’s meeting at the end of January going toward Portie-Ascott being recommended to the county commissioners.
Brenda Stephens, Horace Johnson II, Gail Corrado and Natalie Ziemba were the four other applicants for the vacant seat. Stephens, Johnson and Ziemba each shared public comments with the board ahead of the public vote during Tuesday’s meeting, while Corrado had previously said she was removing herself from consideration.
During Portie-Ascott’s comments, she pointed to her encouragement and support toward other candidates in Orange County over the years. She then asked the commissioners for their support and selection for this new role after receiving those same things from the Democratic Party.
“I appreciate,” the Hillsborough resident added, “all the residents who elevated their voices to ensure that you were aware of my hard work, integrity and commitment to this community.”
In her application, Portie-Ascott described herself as a “collaborative leader” and being inspired to serve in elected office to help the community’s “most vulnerable residents” continue recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic’s various effects. She listed her top priorities as creating affordable and reliable broadband access, improving affordable housing options, and expanding behavioral healthcare resources.
On Tuesday night, Portie-Ascott complimented and congratulated the current commissioners on their work to make Orange County a leader in North Carolina. She said while she understands her commitments to District 2, she would work to make the best decisions for all of the county’s residents while on the board herself.
“I look forward to working collaboratively with you to create an Orange County that all of our residents can love, because they can raise their families, live in their homes, find work in their community, and — when needed — access services.”
The Board of Orange County Commissioners continued its business meeting on Tuesday with the six elected members, as Portie-Ascott will be sworn in during the board’s next meeting on February 16.
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