Candidate Biography (submitted by candidate):

I am a lifelong resident of Wake County and my family has been a part of this county since the early 1800's and over the past thirty years I have served the people of North Carolina as a soldier, more recently returning from Iraq serving with the first National Guard Brigade to be deployed to Iraq. I volunteered and went to Louisiana in support of Katrina. I have held a number of jobs in state government during my 28 years of service to the people of North Carolina, but only one career- public service.

My military career span over 30 years, serving during the Vietnam War, Cold War, Desert Storm and Operation Iraq Freedom and receiving numerous awards such as Air Force Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Service Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal, and Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal and Global War on Terrorism Service Medal as well as many others. I retired from the military with over 30yrs. of service.

Furthermore, I have served as precinct year, Wake County Democratic Vice Chair of the party. I am presently a member of the Wake County Board of Adjustment, N.C Board of Victim Compensation Commission, N.C State Employees Association and N.C Association of Educators.

In addition to a Master Degree in Public Administration, my education includes a Master of Science in Criminal Justice as well as a B.A in History and Government and an A.A.S in Paralegal Technology.

I presently reside in Wake County with my wife, Donna of 29 yrs. And we are the proud parents of three kids, Donald, Jr., DeVette, DeMaris and two grand kids Darryl III and Drew and son-in-law Darryl.

Good evening, ladies and gentlemen my name is Don Mial and I am a candidate for Wake county Board of Commissioners. I am a lifelong resident of Wake County and my family has been a part of this county since the early 1800's and over the past thirty years, I have served the people of North Carolina as a soldier, recently returned from Iraq. I have had a number of jobs in state government, but only one career-public service.

With that core value at heart, I am running for the Wake county Board of Commissioners so that I can continue advocating on behalf of the public interest, continue fighting for change, and continue making Wake County and North Carolina a better place to live.
           
As your County Commissioner, I will strengthen our schools by recruiting and retaining the best teachers possible, expanding access to quality pre-kindergarten programs, and addressing the achievement gap. I will work with the Wake County Legislative delegation to deal with the challenges resulting from Wake county explosive growth by improving our public transportation system, tackling our water shortages and work to create economic opportunities.

I want you to know how passionate, I am about the issues that matter to Wake county and that I will get up every morning and work as hard as I did to win this election and take that passion to the Wake county Board of Commissioners. So ladies and gentlemen, its time, and it's time for a change, it's time for the citizens of Wake County to have responsible government. You see, Government exists for the sole purpose of serving the people, not ruling the people; therefore it is the duty of the people, to STAND UP!!

Therefore, I will be honored to partner with you on the issues that you and I care about. I want to be your County Commissioner, so help me to help you and together we can move Wake County Forward. Remember Vote Don Mial on Nov. 2 for Wake County Commissioner.