Betty Lou Ward
Betty Lou Ward | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Wake County Board of Commissioners from the 6th district | |
| In office December 5, 1988 – December 5, 2016 | |
| Preceded by | Larry Zieverink Sr. |
| Succeeded by | Greg Ford |
| President of the National Association of Counties | |
| In office July 1998 – July 1999 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Betty Lou Cofield March 12, 1936 |
| Died | November 8, 2023 (aged 87) |
| Party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Bill Ward |
| Children | 2 |
| Occupation | politician |
Betty Lou Ward (née Cofield; March 12, 1936 – November 8, 2023) was an American politician. She was the longest serving commissioner on the Wake County Board of Commissioners, holding office from 1988 to 2016. Ward served as president of the National Association of Counties from 1998 to 1999 and served as chair of the association's Arts and Culture commission from 2000 to 2008.
Career
Ward served as a Wake County commissioner for 28 years, from 1988 to 2016.[1] She advocated for public education, the arts, and public parks during her time as commissioner.[1]
She served as president of the National Association of Counties from July 1998 to July 1999.[2] She went on to serve as the Association's chair of Arts and Culture from 2000 to 2008.[2]
She was the first person to receive the National Award for County Arts Leadership from Americans for the Arts.[2]
Electoral history
2012
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Betty Lou Ward (incumbent) | 258,983 | 56.61% | |
| Republican | Paul Fitts | 198,538 | 43.39% | |
| Total votes | 457,521 | 100% | ||
| Democratic hold | ||||
2008
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Betty Lou Ward (incumbent) | 234,782 | 57.61% | |
| Republican | Larry F. Tilley | 172,780 | 42.39% | |
| Total votes | 407,562 | 100% | ||
| Democratic hold | ||||
2004
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Betty Lou Ward (incumbent) | 178,000 | 54.20% | |
| Republican | Chris Malone | 150,405 | 45.80% | |
| Total votes | 328,405 | 100% | ||
| Democratic hold | ||||
Death
Ward died on November 8, 2023. Her funeral was held on December 6, 2023, at Edenton Street United Methodist Church.[6]
References
- ^ a b Keung Hui, T. "Longtime Wake Commissioner Betty Lou Ward, advocate for art and education, has died". The News & Observer. Raleigh, North Carolina. Retrieved December 30, 2025.
- ^ a b c Ban, Charlie (November 16, 2023). "Arts champion, NACo president, Betty Lou Ward dies at 87". National Association of Counties. Retrieved December 30, 2025.
- ^ [1] North Carolina State Board of Elections.
- ^ [2] North Carolina State Board of Elections.
- ^ "Past Election Results - 2004". Wake County Board of Elections. November 2, 2004. Retrieved January 1, 2026.
- ^ "Longtime Wake County Commissioner Betty Lou Ward dies at 87". WRAL-TV. Raleigh, North Carolina. November 10, 2023. Retrieved December 30, 2025.