All the Observer's picks for Charlotte and Mecklenburg primary races

The Observer editorial board has interviewed candidates and researched races before offering endorsements in Tuesday's U.S. House, N.C. General Assembly, Mecklenburg Board of Commissioners and Mecklenburg sheriff and district attorney primary elections. Here's a shorter recap of how we see contested races:

U.S. House District 9

Incumbent Republican Robert Pittenger has repeatedly embarrassed his district, such as when he told the BBC amid the Keith Scott protests that protesters “hate white people because white people are successful and they’re not.” Though we don’t agree with challenger Mark Harris on most issues, we find the longtime senior pastor at First Baptist Church of Charlotte to be a straight-shooter and the strongest candidate to represent Republicans in this race.

The Democratic primary is not a close call. Dan McCready, a Marine veteran and solar energy entrepreneur, holds centrist views that are much more in step with the district than Christian Cano's liberal stances.

Incumbent Democrat Alma Adams has been an active representative in Charlotte, appearing at events across the district and advocating for Charlotte-specific issues. She's been a strong and progressive voice for the district in Washington. She's earned another term.ha

The GOP primary field is among the weakest we've seen in a congressional election. Two of the three candidates live outside the district, and each has significant flaws. We recommend none of the candidates.

N.C. Senate

In District 38, incumbent Joel Ford has become a little too unpredictable for Democrats. We recommend challenger Mujtaba Mohammed, a sharp young voice who would be a more reliable vote against Republican attempts to override vetoes from Gov. Roy Cooper.

In the District 39 Republican primary, CPA and former business owner Beth Monaghan is a more centrist choice than incumbent Dan Bishop. She supports investments in education and transportation and opposes gerrymandering.

In the District 39 Democratic primary, successful small business owner Chad Stachowicz is a social progressive and fiscal moderate who would have the best chance of beating a Republican in this conservative district.

N.C. House

In districts 88 and 105, candidates dropped out of primaries, leaving Republican Ty Turner to face incumbent Democrat Mary Belk in District 88 and Democrat Wesley Harris to face incumbent Republican Scott Stone in District 105 in November.

In District 98, Christy Clark is a moderate Democrat with a robust network of support, both of which make her a better candidate for voters who want to upset incumbent Republican John Bradford.

In District 99, we recommend Democrat Nasif Majeed, a retired combat pilot and airline pilot who served on Charlotte’s City Council and has been active in grassroots politics.

In District 101, where Democratic Rep. Beverly Earle is retiring, former Highway Patrol trooper Carolyn Logan stands out thanks to her focus on improving pay and work conditions for prison guards, teachers and other state employees.

In District 102, incumbent Democrat Becky Carney continues to be a stong, collaborative representative for Mecklenburg.

In District 106, incumbent Democrat Carla Cunningham has not been especially effective in the Republican-dominated House, but she did get her bill on suicide prevention through the House. We give her a slight nod over challenger Blanche Penn.

Mecklenburg Board of Commissioners

In a field of seven Democrats, we recommend Pat Cotham, an independent thinker who is attuned to constituents' concerns no matter who they are or where they live; Trevor Fuller, who can be prickly but brings a strong vision and institutional knowledge; and Ray McKinnon, a newcomer whose experience in community leadership roles provides him with a valuable window into issues facing Mecklenburg.

In District 2, Democrat Vilma Leake seeks a sixth term but remains a divisive force on the board. She faces challenger Angela Edwards. We make no recommendation.

In District 3, incumbent George Dunlap has become more collaborative of late, but we recommend Angela Ambroise, who has shown an ability to build relationships and get things done in her efforts to reopen Villa Heights Elementary.

In District 4, where Democrat Dumont Clarke is retiring, we give small business owner Mark Jerrell a slight nod over attorney Leigh Altman because of his fluency on issues facing Mecklenburg and his potential to be a bridge builder.

Mecklenburg sheriff

We're troubled by incumbent Democrat Irwin Carmichael's use of solitary confinement for youths and his elimination of in-person visits at Mecklenburg jails. Former CMPD Detective Garry McFadden is a capable, higher-visibility candidate who has received some prominent endorsements, but we give a slight edge to former CMPD Sgt. Antoine Ensley, who has an administrative background and a precise and progressive vision to make the department better.

Mecklenburg district attorney

With no Republican on the ballot, Democrats Spencer Merriweather and Toussaint Romain are facing off to be the DA for the next four years.

We recommend Merriweather, who has more than a decade of experience working in the office, a balanced vision for the job, an ability to work with others and the support of dozens of lawyers and community leaders.

This story was originally published May 7, 2018 at 4:08 PM with the headline "All the Observer's picks for Charlotte and Mecklenburg primary races."