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Beatrice Riggs Smith
Office history
Beatrice Riggs Smith is a Democratic candidate for the Craven County Board of Commissioners, District 3, in the November 3, 2026 general election. She previously served on the Board after being appointed in January 2021 to fill the seat left vacant by the late Commissioner Johnnie Sampson, and she ran for the same seat in the 2022 general election.[1][11]
Smith is a lifelong resident of Craven County. She completed a 33‑year career with the Craven County School System, beginning as a classroom teacher, then serving five years as director of the Every Student Succeeds Act Title I Reading Program, and ultimately spending 17 years as a school principal. In 1997 she retired as the principal of Graham A. Barden Elementary, becoming the first Black female principal in the integrated Craven County schools.[5]
Her public service extends beyond education. Smith was elected to the Craven County Board of Education in November 2002 and served four terms, shaping policy for the county’s schools. In addition to her elected roles, she sits on several community boards, including the East Carolina Workforce Development Board, the Juvenile Crime Prevention Council, Smart Start, the Craven Aging Planning Board, and Partners In Education.[5]
In December 2020 the County Board of Commissioners appointed Smith to the commissioner seat for District 3, and she was sworn in on January 4, 2021. She resigned from the Board of Education at that time, prompting the board to begin filling her vacated seat.[11] Smith’s candidacy in 2022 and her continued campaign for 2026 reflect her commitment to representing District 3 and addressing local issues such as economic development, public safety, and education.
Smith is also active in her faith community, serving as a deaconess of St. Peter’s A.M.E. Zion Church.[5] She can be contacted via the email address listed on her Ballotpedia profile, beasmith@suddenlink.net.[1]
Sources
Public filings
Candidates and officeholders are required by law to file campaign finance reports and statements of economic interest. The sites below don't support direct links to an individual record — search by last name on each.
North Carolina — campaign finance
- State, county, and municipal candidates — all in one system — NC State Board of Elections — Committee Search. Search by last name “Smith”.
North Carolina — statement of economic interest
- Required for state-elected and many local officials — NC State Ethics Commission — Statement of Economic Interest Search. Search by last name “Smith”.