Edwin Quarles, Huntersville commission candidate, answers our questions
To help inform voters in the Nov. 4, 2025 election, this candidate questionnaire is available to be republished by local publications in North Carolina without any cost. Please consider subscribing to The Charlotte Observer to help make this coverage possible.
Name: Edwin Quarles
Age: 58
Campaign website or social media page Website: electedwinquarles.com Social: facebook.com/edwin.quarles
Occupation: Retired
Education: North Carolina Central University
Have you run for elected office before? (Please list previous offices sought or held) Yes. My last election to the Huntersville Board of Commissioners was my first race. I’m proud of what I’ve accomplished in my first term and eager to build on that progress.
Please list your highlights of civic involvement NC Veterans Affairs Commission, 12th District Rep. (Reappointed by Gov. Josh Stein), Huntersville Veterans Coffee Connection, Lake Norman Chamber of Commerce, Ada Jenkins, Carolina Youth Orchestra, Unity in Community, NC Black Elected Municipal Officials, Hugh Torrance HEARTS Circle, Town Liaison - Police, Fire, HFFA and LKN Chamber of Commerce
What are the most important issues facing Huntersville today, and how would you address them? We must keep pace with population growth by investing in police and fire staffing, training, and retention. We’ve transitioned to a full-time fire department and approved a new fire station. I’ll continue to advocate for safe responder ratios and work to ensure our first responders can afford to live in Huntersville. Sidewalk connectivity and walkability are also safety priorities, especially near schools and transit corridors.
How would you ensure Huntersville’s growth doesn’t outpace its infrastructure? Our development must align with the 2040 Plan. I rely on staff data and studies by 3rd parties regarding capacity and strain to guide responsible decisions. Developers must contribute to infrastructure if their projects create added burden. I support public-private partnerships when they deliver long-term benefits. Resident engagement will be central to my approach.
How would you work to improve traffic and road congestion as Huntersville continues to grow? Transportation solutions require collaboration. I’ll continue to strengthen our relationships with NCDOT, CRTPO, and CATS to push Huntersville’s priorities forward. I’ll advocate for multimodal improvements, sidewalks, bike lanes, crosswalks, and maximize grant opportunities and developer contributions.
Do you support implementing a local sales tax to fund transit improvements? Why or why not?
Yes. Funds for transit improvements will give our blind and disabled residents the opportunity to use the micro transit to the train so they can travel to places they desire within the county. This population of people is overlooked. They deserve a good quality of life. Transit improvements will also give many residents better opportunities for jobs, because transportation will not be their tragic flaw. I will be an advocate for the disabled/underserved who needs better transportation.
Why should voters choose you over others who are in the race?
I’m a proven leader and a strong advocate for veterans, small business owners, and families. As a retired veteran, I’m present in the community every day. I listen, build relationships, and make decisions grounded in community input. I take the nonpartisan nature of this role seriously and work for all Huntersville residents, not just those who agree with me.
This story was originally published October 10, 2025 at 5:00 AM.
