Renee Price will mount a second run for Orange County Board of Commissioners

The first declared candidate for the Orange County Board of Commissioners, Renee Price, has announced her intent to run again despite a primary loss in 2010.

The candidate filing period for this year’s primary elections begins at noon on Feb. 13 and ends at noon Feb. 29. Price will be running for one of three open seats on the board.

Price lost to commissioner Earl McKee in the 2010 Democratic primary for the county’s District 2 seat — which again has one seat open. But this hasn’t deterred her from running again.

“One of the main reasons I’m running is because I believe the people of Orange County need a bigger voice and bolder presence at the table,” Price said.

Price lost the 2010 Democratic primary to McKee by only 87 of the total 5,379 votes. She said low turnout cost her the election.

“I was running against someone that had roots in this community,” she said. “But I think if more people had come out to vote, there might have been a difference.”

Price is currently an office manager at the Health Center of Hillsborough. She also has a master’s degree in city and regional planning and is interested in both business expansion and rural development.

She said her experience on the Orange County Planning Board and Historic Preservation Commission has given her insight into what is happening in the county when it comes to development.

Price now serves as chairwoman of the Commission for the Environment.

“Orange County is very concerned about environmental protections,” Price said. “We have beautiful ecosystems, and we take pride in our environment.”

Her platform also includes fiscal responsibility and accountability to the public.

“One of my over-arching goals is transparency in our government,” she said. “I want citizen input, and the government to be responsive to citizens.”

Betsy Russell, who has worked with Price in Orange County Democratic Women, said Price’s leadership positions show how invested she is in Orange County.

“She is committed to maintaining and improving the quality of life for all residents and will be a leader who listens and responds fairly,” she said.

Price said she will attend community gatherings, knock on doors and learn about community concerns during her campaign.

Tracy Reams, director of the Orange County Board of Elections, said the amount of campaigning in this election cycle will depend on how competitive the race proves.

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