Primary Election 2024: Democratic ballot
All the info you need to cast an informed vote
Welcome to the Charlotte Ledger Election Hub for the 2024 primary election.
◼️ This page contains information on the races on the Democratic ballot in Mecklenburg County.
You can find information on the Republican ballot and Libertarian ballot — as well as links to sample ballots and voting information — on our general Election Hub page.
In the 2024 primary election, voters casting a Democratic ballot in Mecklenburg County will choose among candidates for:
the N.C. council of state (governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, etc.)
There is also a spot on the ballot for the presidential race. The only Democratic candidate on the ballot is Joe Biden. (You will need to look elsewhere for information on national political races.)
On the Democratic side, there are some intriguing political storylines, including:
Will Democrats put up a candidate for governor who can continue their string of wins against Republicans for North Carolina’s top office?
Will Charlotte’s Jeff Jackson beat Durham prosecutor Satana Deberry for the right to take on Republican Dan Bishop for attorney general?
Who will get the chance to try to knock off Democrat-turned-Republican Rep. Tricia Cotham in a south Charlotte/Matthews/Mint Hill district?
Will other Mecklenburg legislators — Wesley Harris, Rachel Hunt and Natasha Marcus — succeed in winning statewide races?
➡️ View responses to candidate questionnaires here
🎧 Listen to an 11-minute podcast about the Democratic ballot
(Profiles were researched and written by Sucharita Kodali and Chloe Appleby and edited by Tony Mecia.)
You can find out more about The Charlotte Ledger and subscribe to our newsletters here.
The Charlotte Ledger’s election information is presented for free to all, with no ads, through the support of Charlotte Ledger members.
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N.C. Council of State
News article:
“Breaking down governor, council of state races” (WUNC/WFAE)
Governor
Current Gov. Roy Cooper, a Democrat, has served two consecutive terms and is therefore ineligible to run in this election.
The winner of the Democratic primary will face the winner of the Republican primary, a three-person race that includes Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson and state treasurer Dale Folwell. In November, there will also be a Libertarian and a Green Party candidate on the ballot.
News article:
“Josh Stein’s challenge with Black voters” (The Assembly)
Chrelle Booker
Booker is the mayor pro tempore of the town of Tryon, 90 minutes west of Charlotte, and also seems to hold a number of other positions as a Realtor and in broadcasting. She lists housing and job creation as the first two issues on her website. Booker ran for U.S. Senate in 2022 (against Cheri Beasley) and placed 7th among 11 candidates. (Age ~61)
Gary Foxx
Foxx grew up in Sanford, the son of a sharecropper, and was raised by his grandparents. Key issues cited on his website are education, safety and security, and the economy. Asked why he is running, Foxx replied in an email to The Ledger: “I offer a vision of hope and renewal, built on the bedrock of my own experiences and citizen concerns.” He lives in Rocky Mount, east of Raleigh, and appears to have worked in the Edgecombe County sheriff’s office. He is a grandfather and “mentor for many children.” (Age 66)
➕ Gary Foxx candidate questionnaire
Mike Morgan
Morgan is a former state Supreme Court justice who was elected to that role in 2016. He lists public education, access to affordable healthcare and criminal justice reform as three top issues on his website. He also says, “Our economy should encourage entrepreneurs and investment in industries of the future.” He is a graduate of Duke University and N.C. Central University School of Law and was the first Black student to attend his elementary school. His father was the first Black mayor of New Bern. (Age 68)
➕ Mike Morgan candidate questionnaire
Josh Stein
Stein is the current state Attorney General and the son of a Charlotte civil rights lawyer. He leads in fundraising among the Democratic gubernatorial candidates through 2023 and has been endorsed by Gov. Roy Cooper. On his website, he says that he has “taken on powerful special interests” such as Duke Energy with a coal ash settlement and Juul, “winning $40MM” to fight teen vaping. Stein is a graduate of Dartmouth College and Harvard Law School. (Age 57)
➕ Josh Stein candidate questionnaire (from Raleigh News & Observer)
Marcus Williams
Williams says he has practiced law for 45 years and describes himself as a “fiscal tightwad.” He ran for Attorney General of N.C. in 2016. In an email to The Ledger, he said he is running for governor because “I desire to continue my work and unique Proven Record.” He mentioned successes in community economic development and in the judicial branch. He is a graduate of UNC Chapel Hill and University of Minnesota law school. (Age 70)
➕ Marcus Williams’ candidate questionnaire
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Lieutenant Governor
Current Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson, a Republican, is not running for re-election because he is running for governor. The winner of the Democratic primary will face the winner of the 11-candidate Republican primary in November.
Ben Clark
Clark is a retired Air Force lieutenant colonel. He is a native of Fayetteville and was a state senator for Hoke and Cumberland counties for 10 years. He lists “protecting our democracy” and “supporting our military” as the top issues on his website. In an email to The Ledger, he said, “In the Senate, I brokered the historic 2021 budget that delivered school construction and critical infrastructure projects in every corner of this state.” He was accused of not living in the district where he was serving in 2020. He is the father of two grown children. He says on Facebook that he can attract “rural and small town voters.” (Age 64)
➕ Ben Clark candidate questionnaire
Rachel Hunt
Hunt represented Mecklenburg County in the N.C. House for 4 years and then served as a state senator. She is the daughter of Jim Hunt, the longest-serving governor in N.C. history. She says on her website that her priorities are to invest in public schools, expand access to health care and fight for small-town economies, supporting broadband internet in particular. She is vocal about opposing “MAGA politicians” and “their attempts to eliminate freedoms NC women have had for more than 50 years.” She is also a supporter of “common sense red flag laws” on guns and opposes “taxpayer dollars” going to “unproven and unaccountable private schools.” Hunt is a lawyer by training and according to her LinkedIn profile now runs a college consulting business. She is endorsed by the NC State AFL-CIO and Congressman Jeff Jackson, Emily’s List, and Mayor Vi Lyles. (Age 59)
➕ Rachel Hunt candidate questionnaire (from Raleigh News & Observer)
Mark H. Robinson
Robinson was a former logistics director in the Navy and is no relation to current Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson, a Republican who is running for governor. Robinson is a Samson native, 8th of 10 children, received his B.A. from UNC Chapel Hill and has an MBA from Duke. He retired from the Navy in 2015 and has three children. He is a former employee of Sikorsky Aircraft, the maker of Blackhawk helicopters. Robinson appears to have no experience in politics and says he is running because “I want to help as many people as I can before I leave this earth.” (Age 62)
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Attorney General
Current Attorney General Josh Stein, a Democrat, is not running for re-election because he is running for governor. The winner of the Democratic primary will face Republican Dan Bishop in November. Bishop is a former Mecklenburg County commissioner and a current U.S. congressman who has no opposition in the Republican primary for attorney general.
News articles:
“Democrats running for attorney general tell us their top priorities” (News & Observer/Yahoo News)
“Race, money, mystery: Democratic primary for North Carolina attorney general heats up” (WUNC)
Satana Deberry
Deberry was elected twice as the district attorney of Durham County and also served as general council of the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services. She has called herself a “progressive prosecutor” and said she is running to give voters “a choice in this race.” She is known for being a champion of “restorative justice.” She has a bachelor’s degree from Princeton and a JD and MBA from Duke. She lists no issues that she supports on her website. In an email to The Ledger, she said voters should pick her because “I bring compassion and drive to the job, which is how I made the Durham justice system fairer while lowering crime, securing historic convictions, and addressing the most pressing issues.” (Age 54)
➕ Satana Deberry candidate questionnaire
Tim Dunn
Dunn is a native of Fayetteville and a former Marine. He is a lawyer who specializes in “civil, criminal and military litigation.” His website lists no issues that he supports and most of his legal background appears to be from military proceedings. In an email to The Ledger, he said that his priorities as attorney general would be to reduce gun violence and violent crime, protect women’s healthcare rights, protect voter rights for all, improve the juvenile justice system, end the fentanyl and opioid epidemic, and prosecute corporate criminals and environmental polluters. He does not appear to have run for office before. (Age 63)
➕ Tim Dunn candidate questionnaire
Jeff Jackson
Jackson is a former assistant district attorney for Gaston County and was a state senator representing Mecklenburg from 2014-22. He is a veteran and member of the Army National Guard; he enlisted after 9/11 and served in Afghanistan. He is “one of the most recognizable politicians in the county.” He was elected to U.S. House District 14 in 2022 after an unsuccessful bid for a U.S. Senate seat (where Cheri Beasley was the Democratic nominee). He lists a number of accomplishments, including fighting against gerrymandering, standing against discriminatory legislation like HB2, supporting investments in early childhood education, repeatedly calling for raising teacher pay and expanding Medicaid, and passing reforms for the criminal justice system. He has a number of endorsements including the NC AFL-CIO and several Charlotte city council members and county commissioners. Jackson completed his undergrad and master’s at Emory and received his JD from UNC Chapel Hill. He is known for his popular social media following. (Age 41)
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Commissioner of Insurance
The winner of the Democratic primary will face the winner of the Republican primary, which is a three-person race including incumbent Mike Causey.
Natasha Marcus
Marcus has represented Mecklenburg in the N.C. Senate since 2019. She is a former litigation attorney and worked at a non-profit to help people become financially secure. She says she is “a strong advocate for affordable health care insurance, public schools, reproductive freedom, clean energy, common sense gun safety reform, fair elections, better wages for working people, and environmental policies to combat climate change.” She believes the current commissioner (Republican Mike Causey) has enabled large increases to homeowner insurance rates, and she will work to deliver “affordable, reliable insurance coverage” for all North Carolinians for their homes, vehicles, businesses, and healthcare. She has a video on her website speaking out against N.C.’s new abortion restrictions. She says she is a consistent “champion for people over corporations” and is endorsed by Jeff Jackson. In an email to The Ledger, she said, “I’m in elected office not for personal benefit, but to be a public servant and speak up for those who are marginalized, unrepresented, treated unfairly or taken advantage of by the government.” She would be the first woman elected to be N.C. Commissioner of Insurance. (Age 54)
➕ Natasha Marcus candidate questionnaire
David Wheeler
Wheeler says he is the only Democrat west of Charlotte running for Council of State (he is from Spruce Pine, near Asheville). He says he will fight insurance rate increases and ensure that resolved claims will be paid within 60 days. He also says he will try to get medical debt forgiven or reduced. In an email to The Ledger, he said, “The days of insurance companies having a free ride is over.” He is endorsed by former state Auditor Beth Wood, who resigned last year. Wheeler is an entrepreneur and employee of event management companies and is a graduate of the University of Iowa. He does appear to have any prior public service experience. (Age 58)
➕ David Wheeler candidate questionnaire
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Superintendent of Public Instruction
The winner of the Democratic primary will face the winner of the Republican primary, a two-person race that includes incumbent Catherine Truitt.
Kenon Crumble
Crumble is an assistant principal for a high school in Wake County. He says that has given him “a profound understanding of the challenges and opportunities within our school systems.” He talks about the importance of equity in education and embracing technology. He is pursuing a doctorate and is the father of two. He does not appear to have prior experience in elected office. (Age 46)
➕ Kenon Crumble candidate questionnaire
Carro Rose “Katie” Eddings
Eddings was a public school teacher and assistant principal. The key issues she cites on her website are teacher retention and recruitment (largely tied to compensation and benefits), school safety and mental health support. She has a bachelor’s from the University of Nevada-Las Vegas and an MBA from UNC Pembroke. She also served in the Air Force during Desert Storm. She does not appear to have prior experience in elected office. (Age ~60s)
Maurice “Mo” Green
Green is the former superintendent of Guilford County Schools and was a school board attorney for Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools and the CEO of a grant-making organization supporting public schools. He calls himself “a champion of public education in North Carolina.” In an email to The Ledger, he said he is running because he is “deeply concerned about the current direction of the NC public school system.” He raised $100k within the first 10 days of announcing his candidacy in October. He lost his father at the age of 10, is a graduate of Duke University, and has two adult children. (Age 56)
➕ Maurice “Mo” Green candidate questionnaire
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Treasurer
Current Treasurer Dale Folwell, a Republican, is running for governor. The winner of the Democratic primary will face the winner of the three-person Republican primary.
News article:
“Democrats Harris, Esparza vie for State Treasurer nomination” (Business North Carolina)
Gabe Esparza
Esparza has 25+ years of professional corporate experience as a former executive at Disney and American Express and administrator in the U.S. Small Business Administration. He says he is running to bring “economic opportunity and security” to all the state’s citizens. He mentions the importance of the ability of citizens to “retire with confidence.” Esparza is a father of two and has a BA from Stanford and an MBA from Harvard. He lives in Charlotte and is a trustee of Central Piedmont Community College. He is endorsed by the N.C. AFL-CIO. He does not appear to have run for office before. (Age 51)
➕ Gabe Esparza candidate questionnaire
Wesley Harris
Harris has represented Mecklenburg in the N.C. House since 2019. He has a Ph.D. in economics from Clemson and says on his website that he “has become the leading messenger and policy expert for economic and financial issues in the General Assembly.” The key issues he says he wants to focus on are protecting N.C.’s bond ratings, increasing capacity for investment in infrastructure that improves people's lives and ensuring a secure retirement for state employees. His dissertation in 2014 was on why urban poor tend to vote Democratic but not rural poor. He is endorsed by a number of N.C. officials including Alma Adams and Jeff Jackson. He completed his bachelor’s at UNC Chapel Hill and lives in Charlotte’s Ballantyne area. (Age 37)
➕ Wesley Harris candidate questionnaire
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State Courts
N.C. Supreme Court, Associate Justice Seat 6
This N.C. Supreme Court seat is held by Allison Riggs, who was appointed by Gov. Roy Cooper in September 2023 to fill a vacancy. The winner will face Republican Jefferson Griffin of Raleigh, who has no opposition.
◼️ State board of elections judicial voter guide
Lora Christine Cubbage
Cubbage has been a superior court judge and was first appointed by Gov. Roy Cooper in 2018. She was also a former assistant district attorney in Guilford County. Cubbage started college at age 29 after being a barber for many years. She realized she had “a higher calling” to affect societal change. She’s a graduate of N.C. A&T State University and UNC Chapel Hill law school and a current resident of Greensboro. (Age ~54)
➕ Lora Christine Cubbage candidate questionnaire
Allison Riggs
Riggs is currently in an Associate Justice role and was appointed by Gov. Roy Cooper to the seat in 2023. She was formerly on the N.C. Court of Appeals and before that worked at a non-profit that advocates for voting rights. She received a bachelor’s, master’s and JD from the University of Florida. (Age 42)
➕ Allison Riggs candidate questionnaire
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U.S. Congress District 14
North Carolina’s 14th Congressional District includes northern Mecklenburg and its western and southern edges, plus five counties west of Mecklenburg:
This is the U.S. Congress seat that was held by Democrat Jeff Jackson but was redrawn to favor Republicans. Jackson is not running for re-election; he is running for state attorney general instead. The winner of the Democratic primary will face the winner of the Republican primary, a three-person race that includes N.C. House Speaker Tim Moore.
Pam Genant
Genant is a former nurse and Army officer who served during the Gulf War. On her website, she talks about the importance of family farms, taxing billionaires, expanding health care coverage and supporting a strong national defense. In an email to The Ledger, she says that though the gerrymandering created “a district created by and for Tim Moore to divide us,” she would like to “fight to give everyone a shot at the American dream.” She is a resident of Burke County (in the Hickory area, northwest of Mecklenburg County) and was the chair of the Burke County Democratic Party for six years. She is the mother of 2 grown sons and ran against incumbent Patrick McHenry in 2022 for the District 10 house seat (she won 27% of that vote). (Age 57)
➕ Pam Genant candidate questionnaire
Brendan K. Maginnis
Maginnis is a former financial advisor and a 2003 graduate of UNC Greensboro who said he is running because his perception of America “was shattered” when Trump won office. He lives in Charlotte and lists as his key issues voting rights legislation (including limiting “dark money”), racial justice, supporting small business by reducing healthcare and 401k expenses. He also wants to end spam emails, robocalls and “endless car warranty calls.” He previously ran for U.S. Senate in 2022 (against Cheri Beasley) and placed 8th of 11 candidates in that race. (Age 49)
➕ Brendan K. Maginnis candidate questionnaire
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General Assembly
State Senate District 41
There is no incumbent in the race, in a district that covers western and central Charlotte. The seat was held by Democrat Natasha Marcus, but the General Assembly changed the boundaries so she no longer lives in the district. She is running for insurance commissioner. The winner of the Democratic primary has no Republican opposition in November.
Robert Bruns
Bruns is the former CEO of Charlotte Metro Credit Union and a sponsor of Charlotte’s Juneteenth Festival. The top issues listed on his website are women’s choice and increasing pay for teachers to strengthen the educational system. He is a graduate of Western Carolina University. (Age 68)
➕ Robert Bruns candidate questionnaire
Kendrick Cunningham
On his website, Cunningham talks about his “unwavering commitment to housing equity, social justice, and community empowerment.” He last ran for City Council District 2 in 2022 against incumbent Malcolm Graham (Cunningham came in 2nd of 3 candidates with 18% of the vote). He is also a hip-hop artist and appears to go by the nickname “Swank” on some social media. (Age 28)
➕ Kendrick Cunningham candidate questionnaire
Lucille Puckett
Puckett has run unsuccessfully for Charlotte mayor four times (most recently in 2023). She also ran unsuccessfully for House District 101 in 2018. She lost her son in 2016 to gun violence and cites that as a reason for running. (Age 56)
Caleb Theodros
Theodros (pronounced “ted-rows”) was chair of the Black Political Caucus, where he worked to “amplify minority voices.” He is running because he says the “state needs young and fresh leadership.” He says he wants to bring economic development, elevate schools (he was a supporter of the school bond that recently passed) and prioritize mental health. He graduated from Harding High School and attended UNC Charlotte. Theodros last ran for city council District 3 in 2019 against Victoria Watlington. He placed 3rd of 3 candidates. (Age 29)
➕ Caleb Theodros candidate questionnaire
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N.C. House District 98
This northern Mecklenburg N.C. House seat has no incumbent running, as Republican Rep. John Bradford is running for Congress. The winner of the Democratic primary will face Republican Melinda Bales, the former mayor of Huntersville, in November.
Beth Gardner Helfrich
Helfrich is a mother of five and a graduate of Davidson College. Key issues cited on her website include good governance, strong support for public education, safe and healthy families bolstered by quality healthcare and cleaner air and water, and responsible growth through better transportation solutions and expanded housing options. Her husband was a founder of the Summit Coffee brand, which started in Davidson. She does not appear to have run for office before. (Age ~42)
➕ Beth Gardner Helfrich candidate questionnaire
Lisa Jewel
Jewel is the current chair of Democrats of North Mecklenburg and has been active in a number of other roles with the local Democratic party. Top issues she cites on her website include excellent public education, protecting the individual liberties of women, encouraging a thriving business environment and demanding developers contribute more money and space to accommodate increased traffic, and holding utility companies accountable for violations. She is the mother of a university student and has lived for 16 years in Davidson and Cornelius. She does not appear to have run for office before. (Age 59)
➕ Lisa Jewel candidate questionnaire
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N.C. House District 105
This south-southeastern Mecklenburg district has no incumbent, as it was reconfigured and Democratic Rep. Wesley Harris is running for state treasurer. The winner of the Democratic primary will face Republican Rep. Tricia Cotham, who was elected as a Democrat in 2022 but switched parties last year. She has no Republican opposition.
News articles:
Yo Holmes
Holmes is a CMS employee in the Family and Community Engagement Office. She lists women’s pay equity, health equity, and equitable education as the top issues on her website. “Dr Yo,” as she calls herself, has served on a number of public service organizations including on the board of the Charlotte chapter of the American Cancer Society. Holmes ran in a Democratic primary against Tricia Cotham in 2022. She came in second (of 4 candidates) in that primary, capturing 31% of the vote. She has a Ph.D. from Capella University (the online university). She is endorsed by the N.C. AFL-CIO. (Age 52)
➕ Yo Holmes candidate questionnaire
Terry Lansdell
Lansdell has worked in a variety of local roles: contractor for the Mecklenburg County Planning Commission, the county Air Quality Commission, and the Advisory Committee of the Charlotte Area Transit System. He appears to be active in advancing sustainability, in particular “bike advocacy.” He is the Executive Director of BikeWalkNC. In an email to The Ledger, he said he is running “to impact existing laws that impact our community and how we transport ourselves socially, economically and on our transportation network.” He does not appear to have run for office before. (Age 57)
➕ Terry Lansdell candidate questionnaire
Nicole Sidman
Sidman is a lawyer by training and director of outreach at Temple Beth El. She says she decided to run for office after “watching women lose their right to bodily autonomy” as well as seeing attacks on “LGBTQ rights and education.” She ran the 2018 NC House campaign of Christy Clark (who is now the mayor of Huntersville). Sidman has her bachelor’s and JD from the University of Michigan. She does not appear to have run for office before. (Age ~51)
➕ Nicole Sidman candidate questionnaire
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N.C. House District 106
Incumbent Democrat Carla Cunningham is running against challenger Vermanno Bowman for this northeastern Mecklenburg seat. The winner will have no opponent in November, as there is no Republican running.
Vermanno Bowman
Bowman says that throughout his adult life, he has advocated for “Medicare for all, raising the state minimum wage to $16, set term limits on the General Assembly, affordable housing, and combating [sic] climate change.” He previously ran for House District 107 in 2022 (he received 17% of the vote and came in 2nd of 2 candidates). (Age ~25)
Carla Cunningham
Cunningham has represented Mecklenburg in the N.C. House for 6 terms. Key issues she mentions on her website include health care for all North Carolinians, quality and affordable education from birth through higher ed, work with industries like biotech and IT to grow the economy, and equity for women particularly in pay. She is a former hospice nurse and longtime health care professional. She is a great-grandmother. (Age 62)
➕ Carla Cunningham candidate questionnaire
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Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners
There are nine members of the Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners — three elected countywide (at-large) and six elected by district. Currently, it is made up of nine Democrats and no Republicans. In the primary, there is a contested at-large race and two contested district seats, but there are no primary elections in four of the district seats.
County Commissioner At-Large (Vote for 3)
Incumbents Leigh Altman, Pat Cotham and Arthur Griffin have two challengers. Voters elect three at-large candidates. The winners will have no Republican opposition in November.
Leigh Altman
Altman is a public interest attorney and an incumbent on the board. She was also an assistant attorney general in the state of Georgia many years ago. Altman’s key issues include innovative job initiatives, a strong mental health system, high-quality public schools, improved public transportation, better-funded parks and public spaces, LGBTQ rights and transparency in government. She was a vocal supporter of the $2.5B school bond that recently passed. (Age 51)
➕ Leigh Altman candidate questionnaire
Pat Cotham
Cotham has served five terms as a county commissioner. On her website, she says that she’ll “fight to bring more and better jobs” to the county and that “quality of life is second to none.” Cotham has a BA from the University of Missouri-Columbia. She told The Ledger in her candidate questionnaire that she works hard for the people, who often tell her she has common sense. An elected Democrat on the school board in 2022 called Cotham a “wolf in sheep’s clothing” and the kind of Democrat who “[does] the work of the Republican Party while keeping a ‘D’ beside their name.” Cotham was one of three commissioners voting against placing the $2.5 billion school bond on the ballot last year, saying it would be too expensive for low-income residents. She is also the mother of state Rep. Tricia Cotham who famously switched parties from Democrat to Republican in 2023. Cotham has defended her daughter. (Age ~73)
➕ Pat Cotham candidate questionnaire
Arthur Griffin
Griffin has served on the county commission since 2022. He is a long-time civil servant, having been previously been the chair of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education (from 1997 to 2002). He is a retired executive from publishing house McGraw-Hill Education. In a phone interview from 2022, he mentioned that his dream for Charlotte would be a “10 minute” neighborhood where all residents have key services available within walking distance. He said at the time he wants to incentivize more construction of vital services like health care near more diverse neighborhoods. He also said that he is not inclined to raise taxes given the increases in property values, but that the county is entrusted with funding many critical services including schools, courts and parks. Griffin was one of three commissioners voting against placing the $2.5 billion school bond on the ballot last year, saying it would be too expensive for low-income residents. He has three grandchildren attending CMS. (Age 75)
➕ Arthur Griffin candidate questionnaire
Yvette Townsend-Ingram
Townsend-Ingram has lived in Charlotte for 25 years and says that education is her top priority. She is the Director of Foundation Relations at Johnson C. Smith University. She lists “access and navigation of wrap-around services” and addressing food insecurity, particularly in food deserts as key issues on her website. In an email to The Ledger, she said voters should choose her because “I have lived experiences that can inform policies to provide services that fill in those gaps, provide needed wrap-around services and contribute to upward mobility.” She is a grandmother and CMS volunteer. She is a graduate of West Virginia State University, has an MBA and is working on a doctorate. She ran for the same role in 2022 and came in 4th of 6 candidates with 14% of the votes (the top 3 candidates were named commissioners). She is endorsed by the county Black Political Caucus. (Age 53)
➕ Yvette Townsend-Ingram candidate questionnaire
Blake Van Leer
Van Leer is a “husband, father and tech innovator.” He appears to be an employee of an AI software company and is an “advisor to Kathy Ireland.” On his website, he says that his key areas of focus are directing resources to public schools, broadening availability of healthcare resources and helping families and businesses still impacted by the pandemic. He mentioned on Twitter that he is running because “the county needs fresh and younger voices.” In an email to The Ledger, he said that “We can't maintain the status quo and vote down budgets which support expansion.” He does not appear to have run for office before. (Age 41)
➕ Blake Van Leer candidate questionnaire
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County Commission District 2
Incumbent Vilma Leake faces challenger Charles Osborne in this west Mecklenburg/Steele Creek district. The winner faces Republican Angela White Edwards in November.
Vilma Leake
Leake is currently on the County Commission for District 2. She was first elected a commissioner in 2008 and was on the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education for 11 years prior to that. She started the Small Business Consortium Group in 2011 for small business owners to network. She is a former Sunday school teacher and choir member. Leake was one of three commissioners voting against placing the $2.5 billion school bond on the ballot last year, saying it would be too expensive for low-income residents. She has a bachelor’s degree from Livingstone College, a master’s from the University of Buffalo and “completed all coursework for a doctorate” at the University of San Francisco. (Age ~80+)
Charles Osborne
Osborne is a Charlotte native and graduate of Vance High. On his website he talks about the importance of supporting small businesses, community safety, and education, especially “trades and skill training.” He worked for six years as a police officer for CMPD and then became a small business owner of a commercial cleaning business. He is endorsed by the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Black Political Caucus. He is the father of three and attended Central Piedmont Community College. (Age 32)
➕ Charles Osborne candidate questionnaire
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County Commissioner District 3
Incumbent George Dunlap faces challenger Felicia Thompkins in this University City area district. The winner will have no Republican opposition in November.
George Dunlap
Dunlap is an incumbent who has served the board since 2008. Prior to his time as commissioner, he served 14 years on the CMS Board. He was born in Pineville and graduated from South Mecklenburg High School. He is a former CMPD officer. The top issues listed on his website (unchanged from his 2022 election) are economic development, education and affordable housing. He believes in investing in Business Investment Grants to bring jobs into the community, and that CMS should provide a “high quality education for all of our children.” In an email to The Ledger, he mentioned affordability as a key issue he wants to address as an commissioner: “I want to make sure that policies adopted by the board are not pushing people out of this community because they can no longer afford to live here.” He has a bachelor’s and master’s from UNC Charlotte. Dunlap was a vocal supporter of the $2.5B school bond that passed last November. (Age 67)
➕ George Dunlap candidate questionnaire
Felicia Thompkins
Thompkins lists “elder care, education equity, transportation, safety, health and mental health” as issues of her campaign focus. She says, “It’s time for a change.” Her previous work experience is with the county as an Adult Care Home Specialist and state with the DHHS. She appears to be working now in UNC Charlotte’s HR department. (Age ~63)
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