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< Back to Board of Education District 2 Juan Hall Party: Republican Incumbent: No Previous experience in elected office: None; ran unsuccessfully in 2023 for a CMS At-Large seat Age: 53 Occupation: Diesel mechanic; football coach at Livingstone College Description: Hall’s priorities are combating illiteracy by prioritizing early reading programs, restoring discipline and promoting transparency, accountability, and community involvement in decision-making in schools. Other personal: Hall’s website cites a “partnership with Moms for Liberty,” a conservative organization that advocates for parental rights in schools. He is a registered Republican and endorsed by MeckGOP. Candidate Website The Election Hub Questionnaire Please provide demographic information about yourself to help voters (age, education, current occupation, where you live). I am 54 years old and live in Charlotte. I am a diesel mechanic and coach football at Livingstone College. Why are you running for this role and why should voters pick you? Please share any experience in an elected role that would be relevant to voters. I am running for the school board District 2 seat because I recognize the need for change. Public education is in crisis and new leadership is desperately needed. Voters should vote for me because I am not drawing lines in the sand like my opponent but rather circles around people. I am building relationships and bringing people together like no other candidate. What is one thing you would like to accomplish in the first six months if elected? One of the most challenging things facing public education today is out of control behavior in classrooms. Teachers are leaving the profession because they do not feel safe, and we cannot begin to address the problem with teacher shortages until we address behavior. Learning cannot happen in environments where students and teachers do not feel safe. So, implementing common sense discipline is something that I want to do right off the bat. Tell us about 2-3 professional accomplishments you have achieved in your work experience (not limited to public service) that give voters a sense of your leadership style or skills. (The candidate did not respond.) What endorsements from any notable NC organizations or individuals have you received? I am endorsed by MeckGOP and Moms for Liberty. I am also endorsed by Pastor Dennis Williams of the African American Faith Alliance and Commissioner Vilma Leake. Tell us something unexpected about you that voters may be interested to kn ow. (The candidate did not respond.) < Previous Candidate Next Candidate >

< Back to Cornelius Board of Commissioners Susan Johnson Party: Republican Incumbent: Yes Previous experience in elected office: Currently on Cornelius Board of Commissioners (2023-Present) Age: ~51 Occupation: Real estate agent Description: Johnson says on Facebook that as a town commissioner, she has helped create “responsible budgets, safer neighborhoods, better roads, and thoughtful, balanced growth.” She says she is running again “to continue building a safe, vibrant, and connected Cornelius.” She also served on the town planning board for 8 years. She says she supports the sales tax referendum on transportation because “we desperately need help with our roads” and cited congestion challenges in her own commute. Other personal: Johnson has a bachelor’s degree from UNC Chapel Hill and a master’s degree from Queens University. She is the mother of two boys, a registered Republican and endorsed by MeckGOP. Candidate Social Media The Election Hub Questionnaire The candidate did not respond to our survey. < Previous Candidate Next Candidate >

< Back to At-Large Candidates James (Smuggie) Mitchell, Jr. Party: Democratic Incumbent: Yes Previous experience in elected office: Charlotte City Council At-Large (2015-2021; 2022- Present); District 2 Representative (1999-2013) Age: 63 Occupation: Director of Business Development at McFarland Construction; former president of the National League of Cities; Trustee at NC Central University Description: Mitchell’s platform addresses housing, economic mobility and public safety through targeted programs. He proposes developing a rent assistance voucher system and using city-owned land to support affordable housing development, especially along transit corridors. In economic policy, he advocates for funding women-owned businesses, start-ups, and “Corridors of Opportunity” initiatives. In public safety, Mitchell promotes increased support for community-based violence prevention nonprofits, neighborhood-driven police station placement, and comprehensive police training in implicit bias and de-escalation tactics. He stepped down from the council in 2021 because he acquired an ownership interest in a city construction contractor, R.J. Leeper Construction, but he won election again in 2022, and that issue appears to be resolved . He supports the current transit referendum but also says that the plan must better service underserved communities . Mitchell often refers to himself as Charlotte’s biggest cheerleader, and he tends to support recommendations from city staff and often votes with the council’s majority coalition. Other personal: Mitchell is a third-generation Charlottean and graduated from West Charlotte High School. He holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from NC Central University. He is married to astronaut Joan Higginbotham, the third African-American woman to travel to space, and is the father of two adult women. In this election, Mitchell was the only Democratic incumbent to not receive an endorsement from The Charlotte Observer. Candidate Website The Election Hub Questionnaire Please provide demographic information about yourself to help voters (age, education, current occupation, where you live). I’m a third-generation native Charlottean, currently serving as a Councilmember At-Large for the City of Charlotte and a proud graduate of North Carolina Central University. I also serve as Director of Business Development at McFarland Construction. I live on the North side of Charlotte and am a devoted husband and father to two grown daughters. Why are you running for this role and why should voters pick you? I have served the citizens of Charlotte as both a District 2 Councilmember and as an At-Large Councilmember. This year, my slogan is Enthusiasm, Experience, and Results. I’m still energized and excited to serve the people of Charlotte. Like the energizer bunny, I’m going strong and committed to working hard for our community every day. Thanks to the support of many Charlotteans, I’ve been able to provide experienced leadership and deliver solutions to some of our city’s toughest challenges, including affordable housing, small and minority business participation, and workforce development. But the work isn’t done yet. With your support and input, I’d be honored to keep working on behalf of the citizens of Charlotte to build a stronger, more equitable city for all. What is one thing you would like to accomplish in the first six months if elected? My top 3 issues are: 1) affordable housing, 2) economic and workforce development and 3) small and minority business development. I have championed doubling the house trust fund from $50 50 $100 million, led efforts to close the funding gap for key Corridors of Opportunity, and spearheaded policies to help provide employment for individuals who previously faced barriers to employment. What I'd like to accomplish in the first six months is in the area of small & minority business development: I’d implement the Quick Payment Program, currently a pilot program, to reduce payment cycles from 90 to 30 days and improve cash flow for small businesses. I’d ensure a strategic plan is in place to meet our 27% spending goal with small and minority-owned businesses, equating to $175 million on the $650 million Bank of America project alone. I’d continue to advocate for greater access to capital I'd implement a mentoring program to help small and minority businesses build capacity, gain industry knowledge, and compete for larger contracts. What is your position on the proposed transit tax and why? Will you vote in favor of it or against it in November? I am in favor of the referendum of the sales tax to fund road, rail and bus projects because having a strong, reliable transit system is essential, especially for residents who face transportation challenges every day. With Governor Stein signing the bill, it's now up to the County Commissioners to put the referendum on the ballot. I’ve supported it and will continue encouraging the voters to do the same. But passing a tax isn’t enough. We need to ensure the plan prioritizes what people really need, like more frequent buses, expanded routes, and better service in underserved communities. This is about access, opportunity, and equity. A viable transportation system is one of the key elements of upward economic mobility for our citizens. And a well-executed transit plan will connect people to jobs, ease congestion, and help build a stronger, more inclusive Charlotte. What endorsements from any notable NC organizations or individuals have you received? The endorsement process is just beginning and none have been made at the time of completing this questionnaire. Tell us something unexpected about you that voters may be interested to know. I am married to a retired NASA astronaut (the 3rd Black female to go in space). < Previous Candidate Next Candidate >

< Back to Davidson Board of Commissioners Connie Wessner Party: Unaffiliated Incumbent: No Previous experience in elected office: Former Davidson town commissioner from 2009-2013; formerly on town planning board Age: ~62 Occupation: Executive Director, Davidson Housing Coalition, which expands the town's inventory of affordable homes; former Community School of Davidson administrator (a public charter school); worked for the Massachusetts state government as a budget analyst Description: Wessner says she is running because "Local elections should be about opportunities to build community, connect new voices with hard-won experience, and deepen our collective confidence that together we can do big, bold things that make a difference in the lives of everyone around us." Other personal: Wessner has a bachelor's degree from Franklin & Marshall and a master's degree in public policy and politics from Rutgers. She is registered as an unaffiliated voter. Candidate Social Media The Election Hub Questionnaire Please provide demographic information about yourself to help voters (age, education, current occupation, where you live). 62; MA, Politics and Public Policy, Eagleton Institute of Politics, Rutgers University, 1986; BA Government/English (min), Franklin and Marshall College, 1985; Executive Director, Davidson Housing Coalition, Davidson Why are you running for this role and why should voters pick you? Please share any experience in an elected role that would be relevant to voters. I’m running for a seat on the Town Of Davidson Board of Commissioners because I have a deep affinity for the town my family has come to call home these past 30 years. In that time, I’ve served on an array of our local nonprofit boards, including chairing the Ada Jenkins Board, town and regional task forces and advisory boards, including 2 terms on our planning board, the county’s Future of the Library Task Force, and co-chairing Davidson’s Pedestrian Safety Task Force, and two previous elected terms on the Town Board. I believe in the depth of talent in this community and I think I bring the skills, relationships, and experience to foster stronger partnerships between the Town and its nonprofits and civic organizations. Here’s what living, working, and serving in Davidson has taught me: Leadership is a team sport. At its best it knows how to rally people around it and when to take the assist. It knows how to listen, how to serve, and how to knit diverse interests together in pursuit of a larger purpose. Civic progress is incremental. We build on foundations laid before we arrived. The impact we leave should empower a next generation, not enshrine us. Relationships matter. The quality and authenticity of the connections we make with each other shape outcomes. Servant leaders open doors. Citizens power this town. I’m asking for Davidson residents to cast one of their five votes for me because: I am truly interested in other people’s stories. I listen. I connect. I’ll take the time to have a conversation and consider your thoughts. I am a student of Davidson’s lore and its history. I love this town for its quirks, its stumbles, and its aspirations. I’ve served Davidson wherever and whenever a need arises. I can play a part in encouraging new leaders to step forward too. Tell us about 2-3 professional accomplishments you have achieved in your work experience (not limited to public service) that give voters a sense of your leadership style or skills. Working together with the citizens of this community back in 2009, I helped develop a new vision for the vital role small, town-based libraries play in our local library system. We saved our Davidson Library from closing when the county considered closing it and centralizing services in larger, regional branches. The result would have been a loss of a critical community gathering space that draws people from all over our town and all walks of life together. More recently, in 2021, Mayor Rusty Knox named me to a Pedestrian Safety Task Force he convened in the wake of several, tragic pedestrian and cyclist fatalities in Davidson. The members of the Task Force elected me to serve as the co-chair of the group. Together, we developed a comprehensive set of findings and recommendations, including securing a Vision Zero Resolution from the Town Board of Commissioners that continues to shape Davidson’s road safety agenda. What is one thing you would like to accomplish in the first six months if elected? I would like to help our Town effectively embrace the progress we’ve already made in fostering neighborhood-based approaches to affordable housing that speak to the dignity and contribution of the people living in it and reflects Davidson’s hallmark architectural design context, scale, and functionality. What is your position on the proposed transit tax and why? Will you vote in favor of it or against it in November? I will vote for the 1-cent sales tax because Mecklenburg County residents desperately need an adequate and sustainable public transportation system that puts fewer cars on the road, improves pedestrian safety, and encourages the use of alternate transportation, including bicycles, buses, and trains. Still, it bothers me that as a state we seem to want to build critical infrastructure through regressive taxes and privatization only. Shifting costs to the people who can least afford it is a short-term solution that in the end takes a toll on all of us. Until we solve that inherent inequity, I think the Town should do all it can to acknowledge and respond to the impact of the sales tax burden on people with very low incomes. That’s where stronger partnership and collaboration with our local nonprofits can make a difference. We don’t necessarily need more programs. We need to use public resources to amplify existing services and make sure we’re reaching as many people in need as we can. What endorsements from any notable NC organizations or individuals have you received? I don’t accept or seek endorsements from organizations. We are a small town that continues to aspire to keep our small town feel and neighborly values, even as our population grows. Local elections are about forging relationships with your neighbors. Tell us something unexpected about you that voters may be interested to know. I am a proud native of Washington, DC, and left my hometown only grudgingly 30 years ago when we moved here so my husband could join the faculty at Davidson College. I never expected to think of Davidson as my new hometown or to come to love small town life as I do now. < Previous Candidate Next Candidate >

< Back to Stallings Council District 2 Rocky Crenshaw Party: Unaffiliated Incumbent: No Previous experience in elected office: Served on town council and planning committee and ran for mayor pro tem Age: ~70 Occupation: N/A Description: The Election Hub was unable to find any information about this candidate and they did not respond to our candidate survey. Other personal: N/A The Election Hub Questionnaire The candidate did not respond to our survey. < Previous Candidate Next Candidate >

Text Text Text Text Text Text Text CMS Board of Education District 3 District 3 is in eastern Mecklenburg County. Incumbent Gregory “Dee” Rankin is running uncontested. CMS high schools in this district include Cato Middle College, Charlotte Engineering Early College (), Charlotte Teacher Early College, Cochrane Collegiate/iMeck Academy, Garinger and Julius L. Chambers. This term lasts four years and is one of nine elected positions at CMS. Six of the nine seats are up for election this year. This is a nonpartisan race, so candidate political parties will not be listed on the ballot. CMS Board of Education District 3 Candidates Gregory (Dee) Rankin Democratic Incumbent Read More

Text Text Text Text Text Text Text Charlotte City Council District 2 Longtime local politician Malcolm Graham is running uncontested for his fourth term as the representative for District 2, which covers parts of west and northwest Charlotte. In the district, 53% of registered voters are Democrats, 36% are unaffiliated and 10% are Republican. Only voters in a given district can vote for their district representative. Each member of the Charlotte City Council serves a two year term. Key issues for the council now include public safety, following the August murder of a Ukrainian woman on a light rail train; affordable housing; and land use decisions related to the city’s growth. The city also runs departments including the airport, police and fire, transportation, garbage/recycling, water, planning, neighborhood services and others. The city oversees the Charlotte Area Transit System. If the transit tax referendum passes, a new regional transit authority will be in charge of the transit system, and the City Council’s role will be limited to appointing people to a portion of the new authority. City Council District 2 Candidates Malcolm Graham Democratic Incumbent Read More

Text Text Text Text Text Text Text CMS Board of Education District 1 District 1 is in the northern part of Mecklenburg County. Incumbent Melissa Easley, who is finishing her first term, is running to keep her seat in what is expected to be a competitive race. CMS high schools in the district include Hopewell, Mallard Creek, Merancas Middle College at CPCC, North Meck and William Amos Hough. This term lasts four years and is one of nine elected positions at CMS. Six of the nine seats are up for election this year. This is a nonpartisan race, so candidate political parties will not be listed on the ballot. CMS Board of Education District 1 Candidates Melissa Easley Democratic Incumbent Read More Bill Fountain Republican Read More Charlitta Hatch Democratic Read More

Text Text Text Text Text Text Text CMS Board of Education District 2 District 2 is in western Mecklenburg County. Incumbent Thelma Byers-Bailey is retiring, opening the role for a newcomer. CMS high schools in the district include Harding University, J.T. Williams Montessori, Northwest School of the Arts, Olympic, Phillip O. Berry Academy of Technology, West Charlotte and West Meck. This term lasts four years and is one of nine elected positions at CMS. Six of the nine seats are up for election this year. This is a nonpartisan race, so candidate political parties will not be listed on the ballot. CMS Board of Education District 2 Candidates Juan Hall Republican Read More Shamaiye Haynes Democratic Read More

Text Text Text Text Text Text Text CMS Board of Education District 6 District 6 is in the southernmost part of the county, covering Pineville, Ballantyne and Steele Creek. The winner of the election will be a newcomer. Current board member Summer Nunn decided not to seek reelection because she did not want to put her “career, family or reputation at risk because of politics .” This term lasts four years and is one of nine elected positions at CMS. CMS high schools that are in District 6 include Ardrey Kell, Ballantyne Ridge, Charlotte-Meck Virtual, Harper Middle College, PACE/CTE, Palisades and South Meck. This is a nonpartisan race, so candidate political parties will not be listed on the ballot. CMS Board of Education District 6 Candidates Toni Emehel Democratic Read More Anna London Democratic Read More Justin Shealy Republican Read More

Text Text Text Text Text Text Text Charlotte City Council District 1 District 1 covers some of uptown and extends east to Plaza Midwood and NoDa. Of registered voters in the district, 45% are Democrat, 40% are unaffiliated and 13% are Republican. Incumbent Dante Anderson won the primary and is running uncontested in the general election as she seeks a third term. Only voters in a given district can vote for their district representative. Each member of the Charlotte City Council serves a two year term. Key issues for the council now include public safety, following the August murder of a Ukrainian woman on a light rail train; affordable housing; and land use decisions related to the city’s growth. The city also runs departments including the airport, police and fire, transportation, garbage/recycling, water, planning, neighborhood services and others. The city oversees the Charlotte Area Transit System. If the transit tax referendum passes, a new regional transit authority will be in charge of the transit system, and the City Council’s role will be limited to appointing people to a portion of the new authority. City Council District 1 Candidates Dante Anderson Democratic Incumbent Read More

Text Text Text Text Text Text Text Charlotte City Council District 4 District 4 includes the northeastern most part of the 485 loop and includes the area around UNC Charlotte. Forty-nine percent of registered voters are Democrats, 39% are unaffiliated, and 11% are Republicans . Incumbent Renee Perkins Johnson won her primary and is seeking her fourth term. She has no opponent. Only voters in a given district can vote for their district representative. Each member of the Charlotte City Council serves a two year term. Key issues for the council now include public safety, following the August murder of a Ukrainian woman on a light rail train; affordable housing; and land use decisions related to the city’s growth. The city also runs departments including the airport, police and fire, transportation, garbage/recycling, water, planning, neighborhood services and others. The city oversees the Charlotte Area Transit System. If the transit tax referendum passes, a new regional transit authority will be in charge of the transit system, and the City Council’s role will be limited to appointing people to a portion of the new authority. City Council District 4 Candidates Renee Perkins Johnson Democratic Incumbent Read More