CARTHAGE — A former county commissioner will be rejoining the board of commissioners following a vote tonight by the executive committee of the Moore County Republican Party. Nick Picerno, who served on the board from 2008 to 2016, was nominated to fill the vacancy created when Louis Gregory resigned earlier this month.
Picerno had previously announced his intent to run for the state House but announced his desire to rejoin the board of commissioners following Gregory’s retirement announcement.
In pivoting to the commissioner’s seat, Picerno cited ongoing litigation over the state’s new district lines as one reason he was not going to run for the N.C. House. He also said that he did not wish to oppose Neal Jackson, another Moore County resident who is in the Republican primary for the House seat being vacated by Randolph County’s Rep. Allen McNeill (R-78).
“My long time friend Louis Gregory has decided to retire from the Moore County Board of Commissioners effective February 16th. 3 others on the board have announced they will not seek re-election. These events have prompted me to submit my name to the Moore County Republican Executive Committee as a candidate to replace Mr. Gregory on the board of Commissioners,” said Picerno in a press release.
Picerno received the nomination from the Moore County GOP Friday with a final vote of 21-1. That nomination will be sent to the county commissioners who must vote on the nomination to officially add Picerno as the District II Commissioner which encompasses Pinehurst, Seven Lakes and Taylortown.
Picerno will serve through December 1. A special election will be held in the fall for remaining two years of Gregory’s term.
