GOP's Gianni will fill open county commission term

Wake County Commission candidate Rich Gianni was unanimously appointed Monday to Commissioner Todd Gurley's vacant seat, but got a bit of a scolding by Commissioner Betty Lou Ward because he didn't vote in last October's election.

Posted 4:51 p.m. Apr 10, 2014 — Updated 4:51 p.m. Apr 10, 2014

RALEIGH, N.C. — Wake County Commission candidate Rich Gianni was unanimously appointed Monday to Commissioner Todd Gurley’s vacant seat, but got a bit of a scolding by Commissioner Betty Lou Ward because he didn’t vote in last October’s election.

Gianni was the Wake County Republican Party’s nominee to replace Gurley, who resigned in February to take a job in Gov. Pat McCrory’s office. Gianni will be running for the District 3 spot against Democrat Jessica Holmes in November.

Ward approved Gianni’s appointment, but expressed concern that he didn’t vote in last October’s election, which included an $810 million school construction bond. Ward said that she’d like Gianni to explain why we didn’t vote.

“This is a free society,” said Board chair Phil Matthews, adding that his actions are reflective of his duties as a commissioner.

“I think voting is a very important part of being a County Commissioner,” Ward countered.

Gianni will be sworn in on at the next regular meeting April 21.

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