Who is Pat Cotham, Mecklenburg Democratic commissioners at-large candidate?
Patricia “Pat” Cotham
Political party: Democrat
Age as of Nov. 8, 2022: 72
Campaign website: www.patcotham.org
Email: patcotham@gmail.com
Occupation: At Large Commissioner, Recruiter
Education: University of MO, BJ, BA
Have you run for elected office before? (Please list previous offices sought):
Yes, Five times, BOCC
Please list your highlights of civic involvement:
Trustee Blumenthal Performing Arts, Child Fatality Task Force, Juvenile Crime Prevention Council, Arts & Science Council, Charlotte Regional Transportation & Planning Organization, Volunteer for Homeless Services, Volunteer to accompany Domestic Violence victims to court, Volunteer to accompany families in Court, Support Women in Work Release with Jobs
Should the county government consider implementing reparations for Black residents or Black-owned businesses?
I think Mecklenburg County should start a discussion and create a task force to examine and address the deep harm of systemic racism and the enslavement of African Americans. We should consider joining Durham and Asheville on the work they have done. I was not happy when we supported affordable housing for purchase and then added that it had to be affordable for decades which would eliminate the growing investment of home ownership. We need to help grow generational wealth. We can do more.
The county recently approved its first round of federal pandemic relief funding. How should it prioritize funding during the second round?
We should look at what was successful and what was not. The funding has a lot of rules so we must stay in compliance. Residents should give us feedback on what they think we should consider. So, a transparent discussion with lots of different voices sharing their ideas. Then commissioners can decide what will be the next direction .
Is there an area where you disagree with your party? Why?
My party has a lot of different voices. I am more of a broad-based Democrat. In recent decades, one-issue groups have emerged and often they seem to want elected officials to support everything on their agenda like they have a “litmus test” I must pass. People tell me they vote for me because I have common sense. I do NOT want to defund the police, I do not want to eliminate parking which seems to irritate some environmental Democrats. I want public safety and environmental needs met .
What separates you from your primary opponents?
I have proven myself for the last ten years to be a hard-working commissioner who “works for the people.”
What one professional or political accomplishment are you most proud of?
I have many accomplishments that have a common thread of exposing a serious injustice while showing the resiliency of an individual who has suffered. When the three federal inmates who were released last year after 30 years in prison thanked me as one who had helped them at their press conference....that made me cry. I would summarize it by saying I am proud to have positively affected the lives of many residents-that is my biggest accomplishment.