4 Democratic incumbents on Mecklenburg board re-elected, according to unofficial results
Democrats will continue to hold every seat on the Mecklenburg Board of County Commissioners after four incumbents held off Republican challengers in their districts Tuesday, according to unofficial results.
Four of the six board members were on the ballot Tuesday, running for two-year terms.
In District 1, which covers much of north Mecklenburg, incumbent Elaine Powell beat Republican challenger Aaron Marin, with about 59% of the vote.
In District 2, which covers west Mecklenburg, incumbent Vilma D. Leake beat Republican challenger Angela White Edwards with about 74% of the vote.
In District 5, which covers parts of central and south Charlotte, incumbent Laura Meier beat Republican opponent Arthur McCulloch with about 55.5% of the vote. And in District 6, which covers south and east Mecklenburg County, incumbent Susan Rodriguez-McDowell pulled away from Jim Marascio, the Republican challenger, with about 53% of the vote.
The rest of the county board’s seats were decided in March at the Democratic primary.
Incumbents Leigh Altman and Arthur Griffin, as well as newcomer Yvette Townsend-Ingram were unopposed in the general election.
And District 3 Commissioner George Dunlap, who represents northeast Mecklenburg, and District 4 Commissioner Mark Jerrell, who represents east Mecklenburg and parts of uptown, were also unopposed this November.
The board has been made up entirely of Democrats since 2018.
Soil and Water Conservation results
In the race for Mecklenburg Soil and Water Conservation District Supervisor, Mitchell Mullen was elected Mecklenburg Soil and Water Conservation District Supervisor with just over 43% of the vote.
He beat Lisa Rudisill, who was in second with about 32.5%, and Tigress McDaniel, who was third with just over 23%. Write-in candidates received a little over 1%.
Winners react to results
Powell was sick at home, sipping a cup of tea to soothe her throat, and refreshing the night’s results online.
“It means a lot to me because I’ve been doing this work for a while, and I think you can tell by the numbers that a lot of people — Republican and Democrat — voted for me,” Powell said. “So, I feel very positive.”
Powell said she appreciated Marin stepping up, and for being a gentleman throughout the race.
“It’s a lot to put yourself out there, so I appreciate that he was willing to do that,” Powell said.
She said she would continue working to protect the environment for the future.
For Meier, her victory was bittersweet. While she was happy to be re-elected, it was difficult to enjoy while also watching candidates from her party struggle in state and national races, she said.
However, she was happy to see Democrat Josh Stein clinch the governorship, she said.
“There could be no better person for governor right now,” Meier said. “He is the best.”
She said she credited her opponent, McCulloch, with running the best race he could, but said she didn’t think he understood the role of county commissioner.
“I will continue at the county level to fight for public education, and to fund teacher salaries and fund our schools,” Meier said.
Rodriguez-McDowell spent the evening with other Democratic candidates at a watch party at Camp North End.
Now that she’s been re-elected, she said was looking forward to continuing working on environmental stewardship, economic development, and supporting public schools and teachers.
“I’m thrilled, and I’m grateful to the voters, and I just really appreciate their confidence in me,” she said.
Leake grew emotional in a telephone interview when talking about her gratitude for voters re-electing her, fighting back tears.
“It says a lot,” Leake said. “Sometimes people don’t say it, but through the vote, they say it to us, and that’s why I always want to make sure that I respond and work for those who put me here.”
She said she wished her late parents, husband and son were able to celebrate her victory with her.
Leake said she was looking forward to continuing to help those who cannot help themselves.
“I just want to make sure that all of us who are elected officials remember who put us here and why we’re here,” she said. “And not forget the people that have given us an opportunity to serve.
This story was originally published November 5, 2024 at 9:26 PM.
