Republicans look to break ‘100% Democratic monopoly’ on Mecklenburg board

Three competitive races for Mecklenburg County commissioners could potentially restore some conservative voices to a nine-member board that’s currently comprised of only Democrats.

Shifting voter demographics that fueled 2018’s blue wave — particularly in northern and southern areas of the county — may also propel another supermajority, crowding out Republicans Jim Puckett and Matthew Ridenhour, who are vying to reclaim their old seats.

It depends heavily on whether coronavirus conditions deteriorate this month, and how the momentum for high-profile federal and state races trickles into down-ballot voting, political consultants told The Charlotte Observer in recent interviews.

“Ordinarily, you’d say Puckett and Ridenhour have a good chance because they’re long-term public officials. They’ve run successfully before — they’re in districts that have lots of Republicans,” said Eric Heberlig, a political science professor at UNC Charlotte. “But they’re running in a political environment that’s probably working against them this year.”

Sarah Reidy-Jones, vice chairman of the Mecklenburg County Republican Party, said the lack of GOP representation is “not healthy” for local government. She expects President Donald Trump and North Carolina Lt. Gov. Dan Forest will help persuade voters to cast their ballots all the way through to municipal races.

“We just want to make sure we can get some balance on the county commission,” Reidy-Jones said. “You’re going to have more accountability, and you’ll be able to raise more questions.”

The at-large county commissioner race was all but decided on Super Tuesday, with longtime incumbents Ella Scarborough and Pat Cotham easily winning their reelection bids — and newcomer Leigh Altman securing the open third spot.

Two Democratic county commissioners — Vilma Leake, of District 2, and Mark Jerrell, of District 4 — are running unopposed.

The District 5 seat, in southeast Charlotte, is open with incumbent Susan Harden not seeking reelection.

Democrat George Dunlap, chairman of the Mecklenburg County commissioners, is largely favored to beat Republican Friday Paul Okure in District 3, in northeast Charlotte.

County commissioners adopted a $1.9 billion budget for fiscal year 2021, keeping property taxes stable but dipping into rainy day funds to overcome revenue shortfalls tied to the COVID-19 pandemic. Their budget priorities involved millions of dollars in new investments for early childhood education, affordable housing, mental health, parks and greenways, and reducing racial disparities.

The county health department leads the local COVID-19 response, which at times has resulted in tighter restrictions around Charlotte — including the stay-at-home order and alcohol restrictions at restaurants — compared to the rest of North Carolina. Commissioners receive regular coronavirus updates from Mecklenburg Public Health Director Gibbie Harris, though elected leaders for months have lamented their roles in debating and enacting emergency protocols.

Here’s a closer look at the three most-competitive county commissioner races for Republican candidates. For more information, visit the Observer’s voter guide.

District 1

Democrat Elaine Powell, vice chair of the county commissioners, faces Republican challenger Puckett, the prior longtime incumbent who’s also served on the school board. The north Mecklenburg district includes Cornelius, Davidson and Huntersville.

Powell’s priorities include environmental stewardship and community service. She’s committed to reviving the Mountain Island Lake Marine Commission to preserve the region’s largest water supply and supports “strategic land acquisition” for parks and greenways.

”I feel like citizens’ voices are dismissed so often, especially with respect to protecting green infrastructure and natural resources,” Powell said. “This really matters and influences quality of life. People expect you to protect air quality and water quality.”

Puckett said his experience of navigating recessions could help commissioners manage the post-coronavirus economy and better tailor restrictions for businesses as the pandemic continues. He hopes to renew discussions about Mecklenburg’s lack of a traditional Board of Health — commonplace elsewhere across the state, but filled by commissioners themselves in Mecklenburg — that could offer the county health department more medical expertise and oversight amid COVID-19.

”The most critical thing for me is that the current county commission is a 100% Democratic monopoly,” Puckett said. “There has been a horrible lack of transparency. Above all else, you should be able to have all philosophies and parties as part of the process.”

District 5

Democrat Laura Meier, a former Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools teacher, is running against Republican Ridenhour, a Marine veteran and the former District 5 commissioner before Harden.

Meier said her focus is on ensuring a “strong” mental health system, especially among younger residents reeling from COVID-19. She’s passionate about expanding parks and greenways, as well as working more collaboratively with CMS during the annual budget process.

”COVID has highlighted the disparities in education because of the lack of resources in high poverty areas without internet (access),” Meier said. “We’ve got to create more equity in schools and in neighborhoods.”

Ridenhour said his top concern is post-pandemic recovery. He also wants to improve mental health resources and expand greenways throughout Mecklenburg. He’s eager to bring a conservative perspective back into budget discussions as issues such as affordable housing grow more urgent under COVID-19.

”There may have been things we’ve added to the county budget that we can scale back in order to help recovery efforts,” Ridenhour said. “We’ve got to think creatively and outside the box — what can we do to meet people where they are and keep roofs over their heads?”

District 6

Democrat Susan Rodriguez-McDowell, who in 2018 defeated 11-term incumbent Republican Bill James, is hoping to defend her seat against GOP challenger Joel Levy, an attorney who’s running a self-funded campaign. The south Mecklenburg district includes Pineville, Matthews and Mint Hill.

In her first term, Rodriguez-McDowell said she is proud of the board’s investments in reducing racial disparities and education. If reelected, she wants to address overcrowding in schools and the county commissioners’ role in COVID-19 decision-making, which has often fallen on the county manager and public health director.

”It’s not that we’re trying to be adversarial with the manager, but we’re always trying to push for more information, more transparency, more recognition of disparities and how we can impact those,” Rodriguez-McDowell said of the local coronavirus response. “That’s what our job is as elected representatives of the people.”

Levy said his past experience — including his time as assistant city treasurer and city economist for Charlotte — will be crucial as the board juggles financial shock waves from COVID-19 and an upcoming property revaluation. He’s committed to bolstering affordable housing and other social service programs, without raising taxes, he said.

”We need to really focus on the vulnerable and open up the county to the extent humanly possible,” Levy said. “I’m deeply concerned about all of the people who are losing their jobs across the entire county.”