Trayvian Taylor

Commissioner is a quick political learner

Travian Taylor didn’t grow up in Edenton dreaming of having the words “Chowan County Commissioner” in front of his name on a business card or sitting on a sign in front of his chair.

Political desires and the steps needed to become a politician never entered his wheelhouse. He grew up locally, attended Edenton schools, graduated from John A. Holmes in 2001 and began a career at Regulator Marine.

He was content and happy.

Taylor had civic experience as a volunteer at the Boys and Girls Club and Edenton Parks and Recreation Department, but was far less than a political novice when he decided one day to run for Edenton City Council in 2019. He hadn’t pondered the decision for long, if at all.

“Random, out of the blue, just like that, I decided to run,” said Taylor, accompanied by a quick finger snap, adding, “With no experience.”

His friends questioned his motives and his mother suggested he rethink the thought, asking, ‘Are you crazy? You don’t know what you’re doing.”

He had no campaign staff, strategy or signage.

“When I ran I didn’t know what I was getting myself into,” said Taylor, who admittedly didn’t raise money for his campaign. In fact, he had never campaigned or thought of any of the components fueling political success.

Another issue Taylor didn’t address was his opponent, local Edenton Attorney Samual Dixon who was a 20-year town council incumbent with a lengthy town lineage representing Ward 2.

While the outcome of Taylor’s campaign strategy didn’t push him over the finish line first - he came in 157 votes behind - he gained experience challenging an incumbent with what is considered by some a stellar record. The taste of politics was enough for Taylor to think about plotting a political future. Running against Dixon didn’t hand Taylor the win, but his name recognition and the local political scuttlebutt increased his local political notoriety.

It was Taylor’s political mentor, former Chowan County Commissioner Gregory Bonner, that jettisoned the council candidate’s career. Under the radar political maneuvering can be partially attributed to Taylor’s success and Bonner’s experienced campaign strategy. As a seasoned politician, and tenured commissioner, everyone expected Bonner to seek reelection, according to Taylor.

“I was very close to Commissioner Bonner and was made aware he may not run for reelection. I paid close attention and when he didn’t file, I filed on the last day. Nobody else filed,” said the Commissioner, slightly smiling.

As an unopposed candidate Taylor’s political future suddenly took on more responsibilities than he had earlier anticipated as a town council candidate. For Taylor, the steps to the commissioner’s table were led by a mentor and, now that he occupies a seat, he continues to learn and gain knowledge by listening.

“I went in there fresh, blind. I knew nothing. So I sat back and listened. I studied what was going on and talked to other commissioners. They accepted me as a novice and have helped a lot,” he said.

His agenda is based on the needs of the citizens and his constituents. He knows the county needs more grocery options along with affordable housing.

“There is no affordable housing in this county that will suit middle income. We need to somehow address this problem,” said Taylor. “We also need another grocery store or market. We need options.”

Taylor enjoys his position on the commission as the young voice. His concerns stem on educating youth, seeing businesses in the county and in Edenton grow while continuing to add new businesses.

Comparing his commissioner’s seat to that of an executive director of a corporation, he also enjoys the current budget process.

“It’s budgets, budgets and budget meetings. We were in three days of budget meetings this week,” he stated. “It’s a lot of paperwork and decision making.”

A current concern of Taylor’s constituents is the upswing in countywide crime and violence.

“In my community they call me on the crime problems all the time and want to know what is being done about it. I talk to the police chief, the sergeant and the sheriff frequently, and they continue to tell me they are working on it. We all have to work on it because the kids are starting out so young,” Taylor said.

When it comes to the recent controversy concerning the removal of the Confederate Statue in Edenton’s downtown, the commissioner had definite thoughts on the issue.

“I think they could leave the statue and simply erect a tribute honoring a famous African American, maybe Martin Luther King or someone of equal importance,” he said.

For Taylor, taking the oath of office was a moving and monumental moment. His mother, once thinking her son may not know what he was doing, was now more proud, as he stood ready to swear the oath.

In December 2020 unopposed Chowan County Commissioner-Elect Tray Taylor raised his right hand for the first time, swore to “truly execute the duties of his office” and became a Chowan County Commissioner.

“That was a very special moment. It meant I am going to do what is right to the best of my ability for this community through the help of God,” said Taylor.

Currently the commissioner has one year left on his term and following the lead of his mentor, has not decided if he will seek reelection.