WINTON – Hertford County aligned itself firmly behind one of its own Monday.

By a unanimous vote, the Hertford County Board of Commissioners expressed its support for Commissioner Howard J. Hunter III, who is seeking the office of Second Vice President of the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners.

The commissioners adopted a resolution saying the board “does unanimously support the candidacy of Mr. Howard J. Hunter III for the office…”

Hunter announced his candidacy at a recent meeting of the NCACC and said he was seeking the office because he believed he could work to continue to help people.

“I ran for office originally because I wanted to be in a position to help the people of Hertford County,” Hunter said. “While I work continually to do that, I also want to help improve the lives of all citizens in North Carolina.

“I also believe we have strong county leaders throughout this state and I want the opportunity to work with them to help make the entire state a better place to live,” he added.

Commissioner Curtis A. Freeman made the motion for the board to support Hunter with Commissioner William F. Mitchell Jr. offering a second.

“We wish Commissioner Hunter well in this endeavor,” Commission Chairman Johnnie R. Farmer said. “As of right now, he has no opposition and we hope it stays that way.”

Hunter said he felt his political career allowed him to follow in the footsteps of his father, the late Howard J. Hunter Jr., and the late Hertford County Commissioner DuPont L. Davis.

“Both of those men meant so much to me,” Hunter said. “I believe my political service has allowed me to follow in my father’s footsteps. Now, I believe I am able to follow in DuPont’s as I strive to serve the state in the same way he did.”

Davis was a former President of the NCACC, serving as the organization’s chief elected officer in 2002. Davis and Fred Jones are the only two Hertford County Commissioners to ever hold the office.

If Hunter were elected, it would move him through the ranks to the position of President of the NCACC.

Hunter began service as a Hertford County Commissioner in December of 2004 and has served two terms as Chairman of the board. He is also the owner and operator of Hunter’s Funeral Home and the chairman of the Hertford County Public Health Authority board.