Who is Leigh Altman, Mecklenburg Democratic commissioners at-large candidate?

Leigh Altman

Political party: Democrat

Age as of Nov. 8, 2022: 50

Campaign website: LeighAltman.com

Email: voteleighaltman@gmail.com

Occupation: County Commissioner, At-Large

Education: Florida State College of Law, J.D. with Honors, 1997; New College of Florida, B.A., 1994

Have you run for elected office before? (Please list previous offices sought)

At-Large BOCC (2020) and District 4 BOCC (2018)

Please list your highlights of civic involvement

I spent a 17-year legal career as a public interest lawyer fighting for families. As lead attorney for the Georgia Office of Consumer Affairs and Commission on Equal Opportunity, I held accountable bad actors who defrauded vulnerable people and landlords who discriminated. When I moved to Charlotte, I became a guardian ad litem to seniors and then represented at-risk kids. As a County Commissioner, I continue to work at the policy level to improve the quality of life for all our residents.

Should the county government consider implementing reparations for Black residents or Black-owned businesses?

I have followed H.R. 40, a bill to study reparations for slavery, in Congress. Who would be eligible to receive, who would be responsible to pay, and what would constitute just compensation are just a few of the complexities. We will need our greatest scholars to guide an informed discussion. For Mecklenburg, I have strongly supported equity investments in a broad array of initiatives and will continue to listen to communities of color to understand the priorities of those directly impacted.

The county recently approved its first round of federal pandemic relief funding. How should it prioritize funding during the second round?

Mecklenburg County’s ARPA funding priorities were created following extensive community input. I strongly support Phase I spending: behavioral health and health equity ($26 million), affordable housing and homelessness ($8 million), workforce and economic development ($6 million), parks, environment and infrastructure ($14 million), and childcare and early development ($3 million). In Phase II, I will continue to use a critical eye to ensure these funds go to the highest needs in the community.

Is there an area where you disagree with your party? Why?

In a world full of despots and tyrants, I take exception with growing anti-Israel voices in my party calling for censure, isolation and boycott of the Jewish state. Israel is a beacon of democracy, women’s rights, and LGBTQ+ rights in the Middle East. The Palestinian issue is complex, and we must remain committed to achieving a two-state solution which guarantees security for Israel, establishes peace, and gives full self-determination to Palestinian populations.

What separates you from your primary opponents?

I am currently and would again be the only attorney on the Board of County Commissioners. We all have different valuable life and work experiences, but my 17-year career as a public interest lawyer has been useful. My legal background has given me unique perspectives on our ability to achieve a comprehensive non-discrimination ordinance, a countywide mask mandate, and source of income discrimination protections, just to name few examples.

What one professional or political accomplishment are you most proud of?

My chief focus has been to improve household incomes. Many residents cannot afford housing, transportation, or healthcare. Meanwhile, we have high-growth industries which pay a family-sustaining wage with huge unmet labor needs. We must make it easier for residents to access high-quality 21st century training and jobs. That is why I championed Workforce Development as a core priority for the BOCC, and I will continue to fight to better connect residents to good-paying careers.