Wake leaders pick school board vice chair to fill county commissioner’s seat
This story was updated Jan. 2, 2024.
County leaders appointed the Wake County Democratic Party’s nominee Tuesday to fill the vacant seat on the Wake County Board of Commissioners.
Tara Waters, the school board’s vice chair, was sworn in to finish the term of Commissioner James West, who died in November.
“I’m proud to carry on Dr. West’s legacy of lifting up our vulnerable residents and helping them gain greater access to the services they need to thrive,” Waters said in a news release. “I appreciate the trust my colleagues have placed in me, and I look forward serving all Wake County residents with compassion, strength and grace.”
Waters, 45, was appointed to the Wake County Board of Education in 2022 and then was elected to the position later that year. She’s the program manager for the city of Raleigh’s Volunteer Raleigh program. She was elected the school board’s vice chair in December.
“It has been the honor of my lifetime to be a member of the Wake Board of Education, particularly as a product of Wake County Public School System,” Waters said in an interview in December. “And this will be another opportunity to serve and have influence and impact on the way that our students are served, as well as many other members of our community.”
When did Commissioner West die, and how long did he serve?
West died Nov. 18. He was 79 years old.
He had been on the board of commissioners since 2010, first as an appointed member, then an elected one. He had one year remaining in his District 5 term.
West was a registered Democrat, and state law requires the Wake County Democratic Party’s Executive Committee nominate someone to fill his seat. The Wake County Board of Commissioners consists of all Democrats.
Five candidates wanted the position: Waters, Knightdale Mayor Jessica Day, DaQuanta Copeland, Tammy Martin and Frank White Sr.
Waters knew West through her time on the school board. In her last interaction with him, she said he provided her a Bible verse meant to encourage and inspire.
“I wish I had known him much better than I did but it was certainly evident how much he loved the community,” she said. “And to be able to follow his model for service is something that is really a gift and I hope to really do something that brings hope and healing as we know that there will never be another Commissioner West.”
Kevyn Creech, Wake County Democratic Party chair, said all five candidates were “very qualified, strong candidates.”
“Any one of them would do a fine job serving the constituents of District 5, as well as the rest of Wake County,’ Creech said. “We are confident that Tara Waters will be exemplary in the role.”
The District 5 seat is one of three seats open on the county board in 2024. Waters has filed to run for the seat, along with Copeland.
The school board will appoint someone to finish Waters’ term, which ends in 2024.
This story was originally published December 6, 2023 at 7:30 PM.
