Josh Smith Looking Forward to Representing Fr. County District 4

Josh Smith says he is ready to assume his role as Franklin County Commissioner for District 4.

Smith was the sole candidate to qualify for the Franklin County District 4 seat.

After hearing the news he was the sole qualifier Wednesday afternoon, Smith said he’s looking forward to serving the citizens of District 4.

“I’m super excited about the win and thankful that I will have the opportunity to serve the citizens, which I wanted to do from the beginning,” he told WLHR News. “I’m just glad that I have the opportunity to continue to serve as a public servant and I look forward to the future.”

Smith served as a paramedic for Franklin County for 20 years before leaving the profession to pursue cattle and poultry farming.

Smith initially ran for the District 4 seat in the May Primary Election last spring but lost to Cole Roper.

Roper resigned the seat in late November before taking the oath of office citing family and work constraints.

Qualifying ended at noon Wednesday. Interim Elections Supervisor Tracie Creason said that because Smith was the sole qualifier, there will not be a special election in March.

“No because Josh was the only one who qualified he will automatically move into the position,” she said. “I have yet to enter all of his information and it will go to the Secretary of State’s office. It would probably take two to three weeks for the Secretary of State’s to approve his application and information. And then he will be given a date for swearing in.”

WLHR News will bring you more information on when Smith is expected to take office when it becomes available.