Who is Jennifer De La Jara, Mecklenburg Democratic commissioners at-large candidate?

Jennifer De La Jara

Political party: Democrat

Age as of Nov. 8, 2022: 48

Campaign website: www.jennifer4meck.com

Email: jennifer@jennifer4meck.com

Occupation: CMS BOE Member At-Large

Education: M.Ed UNCC, BA UNC-Chapel Hill

Have you run for elected office before? (Please list previous offices sought): Yes, Board of Education At-Large

Please list your highlights of civic involvement:

Education advocate standing alongside our Mecklenburg delegation to the NCGA, community engagement from Davidson to Steele Creek and everywhere in between. Public education advocate and immigrant rights advocate. I speak Spanish so I regularly take Spanish-language media calls. It’s an honor to use that skill in my public service and try to bring forth a community that is inclusive to all.

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

We should use the Systemic Racism in Mecklenburg County Government report to lead policy change and funding allocations. With the City’s racial equity funding targeting business owners, the County should focus on equity funding grants for historically marginalized communities which have been denied wealth building opportunities through homeownership. This will also offer stability with families that creates stronger communities and fewer transitions for children between schools.

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

Before allocating the second round of funding, the County needs to define more clearly the guiding policy which directs staff on what the priorities are, sets the criteria, and then allows staff to match the applicants to the priorities. I am concerned about the lack of transparency in the previous process. The next focus should on homeownership grants and critical home repair assistance so that marginalized residents are not forced out of their homes.

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

Although not an official position in our local Democratic party, it is generally understood that we believe that education funding matters. Our Democrats fight for education allocations and the Leandro case in Raleigh because we are ranked at the bottom when compared nationally. Having the BOCC vote to cut $81M from students and teachers last year shows that there is a chasm in the Democratic Party. Part of my candidacy is about bringing our party back to this basic principle.

What separates you from your primary opponents?

I am a small business owner who understands the unique challenges and opportunities facing our local economy. Voters can count on me to center students, families and small businesses as we recover from the pandemic towards a more just and equitable county. I have professional experience working in early childhood and higher education at CPCC so I bring a global perspective to our needs for upward mobility. I am a champion of progressive values that support families and the community at-large.

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

I never shy away from my service to the people of Mecklenburg County. My tenure on the school board started four months before the pandemic shut down our state, but it didn’t stop me from reaching out into the community and remaining engaged to the residents I serve. It was my consistent collaborative approach to leadership that led dozens of community, non-profit, clergy, and elected officials to ask and recruit me to run for an at-large seat on the Mecklenburg County Board of Commission.