WILMINGTON — Retired U.S. Marine Corps Colonel Joe Irrera will run for a seat on the New Hanover County Board of Commissioners.
Three seats are up for election in 2020, two of the seats are uncontested as current commissioners Woody White and Patricia Kusek have both announced they will not seek reelection; Commissioner Jonathan Barfield has filed to run for reelection.
Irrera said he served 30 years in the U.S. Marine Corps, with southeastern North Carolina as his home base since graduating from the University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW) in 1983.
Irrera was joined by Kusek as he filed for office, and she offered her support for his campaign.
“Joe and I served together on a nonprofit. I have found him to be reliable, rational and hard working. New Hanover County would be well represented with Joe serving on the Commission,” Kusek said.
Irrera said he is active in several civic and veteran organizations including The Marine Corps League, American Legion, VFW, Military Officers Association of America, and other New Hanover County community organizations. Irrerra currently serves as Chairman of the Board for the Veterans Memorial Reef, a local non-profit.
