Mills

Mills filed on December 21. Republican Richard Scott also announced his intention to run for the seat.

In a statement sent this afternoon Mills said he has resided in Halifax County for most of his life. “I have devoted most of my life to public service, putting to use the skills I acquired in business.”

In New York, he was an auditor at the headquarters of Shell Oil, located at One Rockefeller Plaza, in Manhattan.

He also spent many years working in the manufactured housing business in Rocky Mount, Henderson and Roanoke Rapids, gaining many awards as a high achiever.

In the statement he says captured national attention when he was elected as the mayor of Scotland Neck, the second largest municipality in Halifax County.

He served two terms as mayor, “and worked tirelessly to improve the economy of the town. During my term more homes were constructed in the town than had been in the 10 years proceeding, two additional restaurants were opened, the town received over $1 million in grants to improve water and sewer, I established a fund to assist indigent people (to help) pay their utility bills, submitted the town’s first appropriation request to congress for $10 million for economic development, and established the Scotland Neck Senior Center.”

Mills said in his statement he has received a number of honors and awards, including a Humanitarian Award, an Ambassador of Peace Award, African-American Hero Award, and a Doctorate of Divinity; but he is most proud of the people that he has been able to assist through the years.

He is married to Jean Mills and they have five children.

Presently, he is a Deacon at Galilee Missionary Baptist Church, a member of the Board of Directors for Legal Aid of North Carolina, and a member of the Board of Trustees for Eastern Carolina Christian College and Seminary.

Said Mills on his decision to run, “There comes a time when we must take a stand for what we believe. I believe that we can work together to solve the problems that confront our communities. Ten years has revealed failed leadership, that resulted in no jobs, poor educational outcomes, poor health, greater unemployment, poor wages, loss of businesses, rise of drug use, criminalization of our youth, decaying housing stock, lack of housing construction, lack of assistance to small businesses, and higher taxes and lower property values. I know that we can do better.”