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By LANCE MARTIN

rrspin.com

ROANOKE RAPIDS – Ahead of taking the official oath of office in Raleigh on Jan. 8, Rodney Pierce, who defeated longtime incumbent Michael Wray in the March-2024 State House District 27 primary, held a ceremonial event Thursday at Weldon Mills Theatre.

The event was a gathering of stakeholders and those who have influenced the Roanoke Rapids educator and historian on his road to becoming a state representative for constituents in Halifax, Northampton, and Warren counties.

After taking a ceremonial oath of office from retired state supreme court Justice Michael Morgan, Pierce took to the podium to address the audience and discuss the reasons he ran, what he hopes to accomplish in Raleigh, and to ask for continued support in those efforts.

Pierce, who in 2022 launched an unsuccessful bid for a seat on the Halifax County Board of Education and lost by 33 votes, told the audience, “A couple of years later I saw how my predecessor had been representing this issue,” he said, referring to Wray’s vote on the state budget that included the expansion of the school voucher program. “And true to what everyone up here has said about my history as an educator, I saw how that person had voted when it came to public education.”

Pierce said, “I’m a public school teacher. My children attend public schools. I’m an alumnus of a district that’s involved, still to this day, in a lawsuit about educational funding.”

That budget issue prompted him to run for Wray’s NC House seat, win or lose, he said. “I knew my heart was in the right place.”

He said he didn’t care about the accolades, the notoriety, or being called a representative. “I just wanted to do my part to make this area a place where my children can graduate from high school, go off to college, graduate from college and then say they want to come back home so I can work there and start a family if I choose and be able to support them. I’d like to think that’s in the heart of every person who aspires to be in public service.”

He said, however, “I can’t do it alone. I need your prayers. I need your support. I need your votes. I need your contributions. It costs money. Even though I have been honored, blessed, privileged to be in this seat representing you, please don’t think that this is a one-man show. I need your assistance. I need your support.”

Pierce said there are challenges ahead once he is sworn on January 8. “I’m going to need your encouragement. I’m going to need you to send me an email, send me a text message, a phone call (that says) ‘hey I know we’ve got your back.’”

Erica D. Smith, who guided the program as master of ceremonies, said, mentioning Pierce’s attempt for a seat on the county school board, “He did not give up. With his commitment and his tenacity, he endeavored to work harder and by almost that same number of votes (in the school board race) two years later you elected him as your next state House of Representatives member for District 27.”

Congressman Don Davis said, “We know the challenges and the needs of our area and it’s so important for communities across the east and northeast of North Carolina who can feel left out and forgotten to make sure there’s a voice and there’s a person sitting at the table and there’s a person who we all know sitting at the table and that name is Rodney Pierce.”

Smith read greetings from former Congressman G.K. Butterfield and Bobby Scott of the Third Congressional District of Virginia. She then read letters from former Governor Roy Cooper and newly-elected Governor Josh Stein.

Halifax County Board of Commissioners Chairman Vernon Bryant told Pierce, “I wish you the very best in serving the citizens of Halifax, Northampton and Warren counties. As you well know, the election is over and now it’s time to go.”

He told Pierce, “Like any other person holding that office for the first time, I’m sure you will be faced with many, many challenges.”

Edward Martin, chair of the Northampton County Board of Commissioners, told Pierce, “I look forward to working with you to bring economic growth and prosperity to this district. As we all know, this is a rural district in need of assistance with infrastructure which is essential for growth.”

Martin referred to money Wray had brought into the county during his tenure and said, “I have confidence that you will continue to work hard to bring much needed assistance back to this district.”

Angelena Kearney-Dunlap, chair of the Warren County Board of Commissioners, told Pierce, “We look forward to a long, effective productive relationship as our representative in the legislature. We are hoping for a strong voice, a bold voice and committed leadership that represents all the districts large and small.”

Tare Davis, a Warren County commissioners and president of the state Association of County Commissioners, told Pierce, “As you take on this new role you have to understand that President Lincoln said it best — we the people, by the people and for the people. Go and represent the people.”

Brucie Ogletree Richardson, chief of the Haliwa-Saponi Tribe, said members of the tribe who attended “are here to support you. Representative-elect Pierce has consistently demonstrated an unwavering commitment to building a stronger relationship with the Haliwa-Saponi and has a genuine concern for our people and his dedication to public service is evident in his actions … He embodies the type of leadership that fosters trust and collaboration.”

James Kerr, chair of the Roanoke Rapids Sanitary District Board, said, “Your leadership and vision will be crucial as we navigate challenges and obstacles that lie ahead. We look forward to working with you to address the needs of our community, promote economic growth, and remain focused on water quality.”

Patrena Elliott, president of Halifax Community College, said to Pierce, “This is an exciting time for you and the responsibilities you carry forward are vital for shaping the future of our community.”

Said Elliott: “Your commitment to represent the interests and needs of your constituents will undoubtedly make a meaningful impact.”

Following Elliott was Pierce’s uncle, James H. Pierce, a former Halifax County commissioner who now serves as vice chair of the Center for Energy Education board.

James Pierce said that his nephew has always been someone who respects others. “We hope this is just the beginning. The road ahead will not always be easy, but we believe that your commitment to fairness, justice and your faith in God will help you make good decisions.”

Tony Burnette, a member of the Northampton County Board of Education, said he remembers several years ago telling Pierce that God had something planned for him. “I know and I feel in my heart of hearts that this is strong. We’re Tier 1 in Northampton County, we’re Tier 1 in Halifax, we’re Tier 1 in Warren and we need that representation, that representation that represents all of us — someone that can fight for our teachers and know what type of trouble there is in the classroom.”

Jereann King Johnson, president of Heritage Quilters Giving Circle, said, “We have elected Representative Rodney Pierce to this position, but we also have to work alongside him.”

James Mercer, president of the Nash Community College Board of Trustees, who ran what was ultimately an unsuccessful state senate campaign, thanked Pierce for his support. “The support I received from you was very warm and was taken to heart.”

Robert Reives II, North Carolina House Democratic leader, who has served with a long line of leading Democrats, said what they, including Pierce, have in common is they care about one thing — “That’s the people that they serve. They care about doing the right thing for folks for the right reasons. They don’t care about all the accolades and the attention … What they have in common is that they know it takes us, that they got here because of us. Rodney Pierce knows that he is here because of the team that put him here.”

Halifax County native Leonardo Williams, the mayor of Durham, said, “I know for sure you’ve got somebody that’s going to make sure they work hard for the people because they have no other agenda than to live out the spirit of who they are.”

(Lance Martin is the Editor and Publisher of www.rrspin.com. Permission was received to publish this story.)