{"biography":"Nina Basnight\u202fGriswell is the vice\u2011chair of the Tyrrell County Board of Commissioners and is running as the Democratic candidate for a seat on that board in the November\u202f3,\u202f2026 election.  The board governs a rural county of roughly 4,000 residents, overseeing local services such as road maintenance, land\u2011use planning, public safety, and economic development, and it sets policy on issues ranging from broadband infrastructure to historic preservation.\n\nGriswell has served on the board for several years, rising to the vice\u2011chair position.  In her role she has spoken publicly about the county\u2019s most pressing needs.  At the National Association of Counties (NACo) annual conference in July\u202f2023, she highlighted broadband access as a top priority, noting that the COVID\u201119 pandemic exposed a \u201cgap\u201d in technology for families who often must travel to libraries or churches to get online.  She said the county received a $500,000 grant for broadband and is pursuing a partnership with a private firm to improve both internet service and cell\u2011phone reception for residents\u202f[7].\n\nGriswell has also been involved in local cultural and land\u2011use debates.  In March\u202f2019 she commented on the state\u2011mandated protection of a Confederate monument on the courthouse lawn, urging fellow commissioners to discuss the issue calmly after reviewing the monument\u2019s original dedication records\u202f[10].  Later that year she asked questions about a proposed Voluntary Agricultural District ordinance, seeking to understand whether the measure would protect farmers from nuisance lawsuits while balancing homeowner concerns\u202f[12].\n\nBoard minutes from early\u202f2022 show Griswell participating in discussions about a potential property transfer of the \u201cFree and Easy Farm\u201d house from the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, as well as reviewing county tax\u2011collection rates and infrastructure projects such as a harbor\u2011town ferry study\u202f[11].  These activities illustrate her engagement with both economic development and fiscal oversight.\n\nThrough these actions, Griswell has positioned broadband expansion, responsible land\u2011use planning, and preservation of local heritage as central themes of her public service.  Her experience on the board and her advocacy at state\u2011level forums suggest a focus on improving connectivity and quality of life for Tyrrell County\u2019s residents while navigating the county\u2019s limited resources.\n\n## Sources\n- [7] [Broadband Access, Infrastructure Improvements Seen as Key to Post COVID-19 Recovery - The Washington Informer](https://www.washingtoninformer.com/broadband-access-infrastructure-improvements-seen-as-key-to-post-covid-19-recovery/)\n- [8] [Candidate Profiles \u2013 NC Voter Guide](https://ncvoterguide.org/profiles/)\n- [10] [Tyrrell commissioners prohibited from removing Confederate monument - The Coastland Times | The Coastland Times](https://www.thecoastlandtimes.com/2019/03/17/tyrrell-commissioners-prohibited-from-removing-confederate-monument/)\n- [11] [Tyrrell board waiting response from state agencies; Employee of the Year announced - The Coastland Times | The Coastland Times](https://www.thecoastlandtimes.com/2022/02/09/tyrrell-board-waiting-response-from-state-agencies-employee-of-the-year-announced/)\n- [12] [Commissioners refer Agricultural District Ordinance to Tyrrell planning board - The Coastland Times | The Coastland Times](https://www.thecoastlandtimes.com/2019/02/28/commissioners-refer-agricultural-district-ordinance-to-tyrrell-planning-board/)","campaigns":[{"contest":"county_commission","county":"tyrrell","county_count":1,"electiondate":"Tue, 03 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT","pgr":"general","state":"NC","title":"Tyrrell County Board Of Commissioners"}],"cf_filings":[],"firstname":"Nina","fullname":"Nina Basnight Griswell","lastname":"Griswell","middlename":"Basnight","office_history":[{"campaigns":[{"contest":"county_commission","contest_title":"Tyrrell County Board Of Commissioners","county":"tyrrell","county_count":1,"electiondate":"2026-11-03","office_county":"tyrrell","office_key":"county_commission","office_title":"County Commissioner","party":"DEM","pgr":"general","state":"NC"}],"county":"tyrrell","cycles":[{"general":{"contest":"county_commission","contest_title":"Tyrrell County Board Of Commissioners","county":"tyrrell","county_count":1,"electiondate":"2026-11-03","office_county":"tyrrell","office_key":"county_commission","office_title":"County Commissioner","party":"DEM","pgr":"general","state":"NC"},"party":"DEM","primary":null,"term":null,"year":2026}],"office_key":"county_commission","office_title":"County Commissioner","state":"NC","terms":[]}],"summary":"Nina Basnight\u202fGriswell, vice\u2011chair of the Tyrrell County Board of Commissioners, is running as a Democrat in 2026, emphasizing broadband access and responsible land\u2011use policies.","terms":[],"token":"55356af4f6253158"}