Former Supervisor Tony Carter Comes Out of Retirement to Defend Samuels Public Library in Heated Board Race

Tony Carter, the long-serving former supervisor for the Happy Creek District, is stepping back into the political spotlight. After years of retirement, Carter has announced his return to local politics and is now officially running for his old seat on the Warren County Board of Supervisors. His decision to re-enter the race comes at a critical moment for the future of Samuels Public Library—a cause he says is central to his campaign.

The board voted 4–1 on April 29 to authorize negotiations with Library Systems and Services (LS&S), a for-profit company based in California and Maryland that runs library systems in several U.S. communities. The vote sparked backlash from residents and former officials alike, including Carter, who has emerged as a vocal critic of the decision.

“This isn’t just about books,” Carter said in a recent statement. “It’s about who we are as a community. Samuels Public Library has served Warren County for over 200 years. It’s not just a vendor—it’s a trusted, nonprofit institution that belongs to the people.”

Carter, who previously served for 20 years on the Board of Supervisors, argues that the library’s role has been misrepresented by current board members pushing for privatization. He insists that Samuels is not a county contractor but a community-based nonprofit that has earned the trust and support of generations of Warren County residents.

His concerns are practical as well as philosophical. Samuels Public Library currently operates out of a county-owned building under lease until 2038. If the county severs ties with the library and partners with LS&S, Carter warns, taxpayers would be on the hook for millions to construct or purchase a new facility, acquire furnishings and books, and establish a new library infrastructure from scratch.

“Privatizing the library isn’t just unnecessary—it’s incredibly expensive,” he said. “The taxpayers will pay the price, both financially and culturally.” Carter and his supporters fear that handing over operations to a for-profit company will erode local control and community values, replacing a cherished public institution with a corporate-run system unfamiliar with the county’s needs.

Carter has made it clear that his campaign is centered on preserving the library’s legacy. He is encouraging voters to treat the June 17 Republican primary as a referendum on the library’s future. “A vote for me,” Carter said, “is a vote to protect Samuels Public Library and the values it represents. A vote for my opponent is a vote to tear it down.”

In a pointed message directed at the Board of Supervisors, Carter urged a delay in any final decision about the future of Samuels Public Library until after the general election in November. “The current board is refusing to let the voters weigh in,” he said. “That’s not just short-sighted. It’s undemocratic.”

As campaign signs go up across Happy Creek, the race between Carter and Williams is shaping up to be one of the most closely watched local contests in years. At stake is not only a supervisor’s seat but the future of one of Warren County’s oldest and most beloved institutions.