[Photo: Bobby Wright will return to the board this month with a swearing-in set for March 20. He and his wife were present Wednesday morning when Commission Vice Chairman James Leach (back row, from left), Commission Chairman Allen Thomas and Commissioner Harry Southerland, along with Commissioner Tony Hunt (not pictured) made the unanimous vote. (Catharin Shepard photo)]

The Hoke County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously Wednesday morning to appoint Robert A. Wright, better known to many as Bobby Wright, to serve out the remainder of the late Commissioner Lonnie Baldwin’s term in office.

Wright previously served 20 years as a commissioner before going off the board in 2020, when he was defeated in the Democratic primary election by a margin of 33 votes. He also previously served 10 years on the school board.

Wright will be sworn in to office at the commission’s next regularly scheduled meeting, set for Monday, March 20 at 7 p.m. in the Pratt Building on Main Street in Raeford. Wright will serve out the rest of the late Baldwin’s term, which ends in 2024.