Mecklenburg Democrats hold onto all 9 seats on county commissioners board
With all precincts reporting late Tuesday, local Democrats handily warded off comeback attempts from Republicans, including two former Mecklenburg County commissioners.
Just before 11 p.m., all 195 precincts in the county were reported, according to the N.C. State Board of Elections.
Two years ago, Democrats took control of all nine seats on the county board. In 2020, four Republican candidates ran for district seats, including past commissioners Matthew Ridenhour and Jim Puckett.
In the open District 5 race in southeast Charlotte, Democrat Laura Meier secured a narrow victory over Ridenhour.
“I really do believe that the voters said in 2018 that we wanted a change,” Meier said in a phone interview Tuesday. “And in 2020, they’re continuing to want that change and seeing us move forward in this county. I believe 100% that’s what they saw in me.”
In Districts 1 and 6, Democrats Elaine Powell and Susan Rodriguez-McDowell both landed second terms. Commissioners Chairman George Dunlap posted the widest margin victory in a contested local race on Tuesday, taking 84% of the vote against challenger Friday Paul Okure.
Election results on Tuesday are unofficial, and mail-in ballots are accepted in North Carolina through Nov. 12, if postmarked by Nov. 3.
The at-large county commissioners race was all but decided on Super Tuesday, with incumbents Pat Cotham and Ella Scarborough easily winning their reelection bids. Political newcomer Leigh Altman, an attorney, clinched the open third seat. Incumbent Trevor Fuller did not seek another term. No Republicans had filed to run at-large.
Commissioners this fiscal year approved a $1.9 billion budget for priorities including affordable housing, early childhood education, parks and greenways, mental health and reducing racial disparities.
The county health department spearheads the local COVID-19 response, with county commissioners regularly receiving updates from Public Health Director Gibbie Harris and debating coronavirus restrictions for the Charlotte area.
The rippling fallout of the pandemic, including future budget decisions and financial support for some of Mecklenburg’s most vulnerable residents, will continue to put the spotlight on county commissioners.
Tuesday’s results likely underscored the shifting voter demographics in the Charlotte area, punctuated by deteriorating coronavirus conditions and the fierce political climate stemming from high-profile state and federal races, political consultants told the Observer ahead of Election Day.
In a nonpartisan race, Rich George emerged as the leader among four candidates running for Mecklenburg Soil and Water Conservation District Supervisor, which focuses on natural resources and closely collaborates with other government agencies, as well as businesses and residents. The county has a five-member board and elected officials each serve four years in office.
Here are the results:
▪ District 1: Powell, currently the vice chair of the county commissioners, captured 56% of the vote. Puckett had 44%. This north Mecklenburg district includes Cornelius, Davidson and Huntersville.
▪ District 2: Democratic incumbent Vilma Leake ran uncontested in west Charlotte.
▪ District 3: Democratic incumbent George Dunlap, chairman of the county commissioners, dominated, clinching 84% of the vote, with Republican challenger Friday Paul Okure at 16%.
▪ District 4: Democratic incumbent Mark Jerrell ran unopposed in east Charlotte.
▪ District 5: Meier, a former Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools teacher, won the open seat over Ridenhour, a Marine veteran and the former district representative. Meier garnered 51% and Ridenhour took around 49% of just over 97,000 ballots cast. Democratic incumbent Susan Harden did not run for a second term in District 5.
▪ District 6: In one of the closer races, Rodriguez-McDowell held about 51% of the vote over Republican Joel Levy, an attorney and former assistant city treasurer. Levy took 49% of more than 103,000 ballots cast. This south Mecklenburg district includes Pineville, Matthews and Mint Hill.
This story was originally published November 3, 2020 at 9:06 PM.