Charlotte Observer endorsements: Our choices for Mecklenburg commissioner races

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Endorsements 2022

The Editorial Board’s recommendations for the primary elections on Tuesday, May 17, 2022.

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From an affordable housing crisis to under-performing schools and economic mobility concerns, the Mecklenburg Board of County Commissioners has a lot on its plate.

The board must work together to address these issues, many of which have worsened during the pandemic. They’ll also have to decide how to allocate millions more in COVID relief funding. But cooperation, both among commissioners themselves and with the city and school board, has not always been the board’s strong suit.

Here are our recommendations for contested primaries:

At-large

The Democratic field is crowded: six candidates are running to fill three at-large seats on the board. Ella Scarborough’s departure leaves one of the seats open, while commissioners Pat Cotham and Leigh Altman are running for re-election.

Other candidates include current school board member at-large Jennifer De La Jara, former school board chair Arthur Griffin, Jr., educator Yvette Townsend-Ingram and small business owner Trina Boyd.

On a board that currently has no Republicans, Cotham often serves as a more independent voice. She’s won most of her races for a reason: she’s highly visible and active in the community, and she works hard to serve all county residents. Voters should feel good about giving her another term.

Griffin is making a return to public office as a respected leader with decades of community service under his belt. It’s been nearly 20 years since he last held public office, but he’s remained active in the community and is deeply familiar with the issues the county faces, particularly education equity. He’s also a bold leader who can hold his own with other members of the board when necessary.

We also think the board needs a fresh face. Townsend-Ingram, who already boasts strong service to the community, can provide that new leadership. Among her priorities are wraparound services for children and families, which she says must be part of the county’s approach to supporting Black and brown students. We agree, and we’re impressed by her thoughtfulness and passion.

We recommend Cotham, Griffin and Townsend-Ingram.

District 2

Incumbent Democrat Vilma Leake, who has served on the board since 2008, is seeking another term in this district that encompasses much of western Mecklenburg County. She is challenged by Angela Edwards, who lost to Leake in 2016 and 2018. There’s no Republican in this race, so the next commissioner for District 2 will be chosen in this primary.

Leake did not respond to an interview request from the Editorial Board. The Observer does not endorse candidates who do not participate in an interview.

Edwards, an active member of her Reid Park community, has plenty of passion, but lacks a strong enough grasp of county issues and the board’s role in tackling them.

We make no endorsement in this race.

District 6

Two candidates are vying for the Republican nomination in this district that spans the county’s southern border. The winner will face Democratic incumbent Susan Rodriguez-McDowell, who has no primary challenger.

Desiree Zapata Miller is a first-time candidate who has long been active in her party and community. She told the Editorial Board that she’s running because she thinks the board needs at least one Republican voice.

“I think one-party rule is a bad thing, no matter which party it is,” said Miller, who is a former contributing opinion columnist for the Observer.

As a commissioner, Miller says she’ll prioritize fiscal responsibility, as well as accountability and transparency. We’d like to see her have a firmer grip on issues like affordable housing, but she understands the need to work with the school board to improve student outcomes, especially with regard to literacy.

Her opponent, Jeremy Brasch, did not respond to an interview request from the Editorial Board.

We recommend Miller.

This story was originally published April 29, 2022 at 6:00 AM.