Phyllis Portie-Ascott was unanimously appointed by the six elected Orange County Board of commissioners during the board’s first meeting of February. The Durham real estate broker and first vice chair of the Orange County Democratic Party was selected from a group of five applicants during a public, paper ballot vote.
Portie-Ascott’s appointment comes after Renée Price’s election to the North Carolina House of Representatives left a vacant seat. Price, who served as chair of the board for two years, was re-elected to the District 2 seat in 2020 — meaning Portie-Ascott will serve for two years before the seat is up for election in 2024.
She was also the candidate heavily preferred by the Orange County Democratic Party — with 77.5 percent of votes during the party’s meeting at the end of January going toward Portie-Ascott being recommended to the county commissioners.
In her application, Portie-Ascott listed her top priorities as creating affordable and reliable broadband access, improving affordable housing options, and expanding behavioral healthcare resources.
“I look forward to working collaboratively with you to create an Orange County that all of our residents can love, because they can raise their families, live in their homes, find work in their community, and — when needed — access services.”
The Board of Orange County Commissioners continued its business meeting on Tuesday with the six elected members, as Portie-Ascott will be sworn in during the board’s next meeting on February 16.
