Dawn M. Kurry | Daily Journal Clerk of Court Kathy Ganey swears in Alton Bruce "AB" Brown as the newest member of the Richmond County Board of Election. The State Board of Elections appointed him to fill the incomplete term of Phil Huber, who resigned from the board due to a change in address.

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The Richmond County Board of Elections has a new board member as of Friday morning.

Clerk of Court Kathy Gainey swore in Alton Bruce “AB” Brown as the Republican board member who will replace Philip Huber, who resigned before he could finish his term.

According to the board, Huber resigned because he moved away.

“When a vacancy occurs on the Board of Elections, the party that appointed the board member will submit a name from the local party to the state party,” explained Connie Kelly, Director of the Board of Elections. “In this case, Joshua Austin, local GOP Chairman, submitted the name of A. B. Brown to the State GOP Chair Robin Hayes. The state GOP approved the name and submitted it to the State Board of Elections where the final appointment is made.”

“In layman terms, the local party recommends names to the state party for their approval,” Kelly continued. “If they have no problem with the names submitted, they will recommend to the SBE. At the meeting of the SBE on August 7, Mr. Brown was appointed to fill the vacancy.”

Brown will complete Huber’s term, which will end next June, according to Austin.

“I want to welcome you to the board,” said Board Chair Hilda Pemberton to Brown. “We like to have fun on the board, but we do serious work, too.”

“It’s a privilege to be able to serve Richmond County in this capacity,” said Brown. “It brings with it a lot of responsibility. I will do my best to serve the county in an admirable and Christian manner.”

— Staff Writer Dawn M. Kurry can be reached at 910-997-3111, ext. 15, or by email at dkurry@heartlandpublications.com.