Chuck Baker, who filed in February to seek the District 3 seat on the Lee County Board of Commissioners in November, has withdrawn from the race and will be replaced with fellow Democrat Kate Woods.
“I’m working both full and part time, and I just didn’t feel like I would have the time and resources” to go through with a campaign for the seat, Baker said Thursday. Baker also sought the seat back in 2014.
The District 3 seat is currently held by Republican Andre Knecht and covers most of Lee County’s southern portion.
Woods, 36, has worked at the Carolina Trace Country Club for the past seven years, and has been the organization’s director of catering and events for the past year. Woods said she was approached by the Lee County Democratic Party about filling the ballot vacancy but noted that public office was something she “had considered for years.”
“At 8 years old, I was one of those girls who wanted to be the first woman president,” she said, noting that she’s also the vice president of her home owner’s association and has three children in Lee County’s public schools.
This young lady has a great back story. She will make an excellent commissioner!
Great, the Vice President of a HOA. All that says is she is somebody that likes to have control over others and supports using force to get her way. HOA’s are the worst idea that ever hit neighborhoods. Nothing like a private organization that has the authority to put levies against your property without due process. Not surprising she is a Democrat. Her experience is a fitness instructor and director of catering events. Not exactly an extensive list of credentials that lends itself to being a leader or prepared for a position in policy decisions that impact an entire county. I would think the Democrats would have someone more qualified than this. Then again if the Democrat party wants a bartender to run for President, why wouldn’t local Democrats want an catering coordinator to run for county commissioner. Democrats please tell me this isn’t the best you can do…
First of all I can assure you as someone that used to live at Trace that most of the HOA leadership folk are republicans. Current commissioner Andre Knecht, her opponent, is just a back rubber that has done nothing that I can tell to improve Lee County in all the years he has been on the commission. Second, there is a lot more of this woman’s bio that I am sure will come out in short order. A few things I know, She grew up poor just her and her mother eating at soup kitchens. Probably one of the reasons she is a DEM since she actually cares about the poor. At age 16 she ended up running the soup kitchen. She graduated from Marshall University. Her first husband was a Marine. Marriage didn’t work out. Her current husband is retired Army and he works on base in the private sector. I would think with all the military we have in Lee County understanding what military families have to endure would be an asset for a county commissioner. Anyway, D. Roberts. I’d say the DEMS hit a homerun and just hope the voters will give her a shot.
Come on, Dale. Republicans ran a dance instructor for city council a couple of years ago, but hey, he’s qualified because he’s a business owner. And, Chris Gaster is out there saying he is unqualified, by education or experience, for school board (but don’t worry – God told him to run!). Maybe you should look to your own house before you make these sweeping generalizations about people.
Plus Chris Gaster’s kids are in private school.
Jay, that was before my time here. You know us outsiders causing trouble. LOL… I am critical of all sides. We as citizens need to get more involved and need to demand better qualified people from our parties. I will agree being a dance instructor definitely is low on the rung of qualifications. I have no problem voting for someone of faith, however, religious zealots I have to pass on.
2019 is not before your time here, Dale.
What were Arianna Del Plazzo’s credentials when she first ran? Her list was not extensive. Did not hear a peep out of you then.
You have disqualified her before her entire resume’ came out. I actually voted for her to be the replacement. I mentioned some of her other qualifications and you didn’t reply. I am sure there will be other pluses coming out in the near future. Do you support our Lt. Governor Mark Robinson. He is the most unqualified person ever elected to that high of an office in this State.
Based on my readings of the last years worth of messages she has posted on Nextdoor to the Trace community, she communicates well and has had a positive impact. She has not posted on any political views there because that is discouraged. And it is the overall governing board of Trace that she has been VP of, not one of the 14 POAs. That role involves compromises and consensus building as well as some legal research and budgeting savvy.
State mandates due process for planned communities. Katie Woods would be an asset to any organization. She is informed, hard working and is a great multi tasker. A breath of fresh air for this position. Lorraine Ciccotti