New Dare County commissioner appointed to replace late member
MANTEO — Elizabeth “Bea” Basnight of Manteo was sworn into the Dare County Board of Commissioners during its Monday meeting.
The Dare County Republican Party’s Executive Committee appointed Basnight, 73, to fill the vacant seat left by Jim Tobin of Manns Harbor, 69, who died Oct. 18. The only woman on the board in years, Basnight now has one of the two District 1 seats, representing Roanoke Island and the Dare County mainland.
“I feel very honored, very trusted, and look forward to serving all people,” Basnight said after Monday’s meeting.
Formerly a Democrat, Basnight served 12 years on the Dare County Board of Education, chairing the board the last four years. She lost her seat in 2020 to Republican Carl Woody III.
School board races in Dare County became partisan in 2018 following legislation introduced by former Rep. Beverly Boswell, R-Beaufort, of Kill Devil Hills.
Since the partisan races began, only Republicans have been elected to that board.
Following her 2020 loss, Basnight said she switched to independent.
“I decided as an independent, you can’t really get much done,” she said, and then chose to affiliate with the Republican Party.
“I think a voice that is middle of the road is good for any party, and I do think in this case, looking at the current elected officials, it’s a good working relationship,” she said. “I feel like it would be a good place that I could fit and make a difference.”
Six of the seven commissioners — and nearly all elected officials in Dare County — are Republicans.
A retired Manteo Elementary School teacher of 36 years, Basnight said that she missed serving on the Board of Education. With her party switch, she was “looking at all possibilities” for “having a voice,” and saw this seat as an opportunity whereby she can still influence education.
Her appointment is for the next year.