Charlotte Observer endorsements: Our choices for NC House

Mecklenburg’s state House races will be critical in determining whether Republicans hold a majority or supermajority in the state legislature. Our recommendations are based on interviews and research on candidates, but we also believe a Republican supermajority would be bad again for North Carolina. Just as our Board considers the need for more Republican representation on Democrat-majority bodies, we’re evaluating the larger impact in races involving two strong candidates.

Here are our recommendations in contested House races:

District 88: Democrat Mary Belk is seeking a fourth term in this district that runs south and west of Uptown. Belk has proven herself to be a hard-working and effective representative who holds true to her progressive values, and she’s built strong relationships in Raleigh. She’s opposed by Republican Anne Marie Peacock. We recommend Belk.

District 92: Democrat Terry Brown is running for his second term in this blue, west Mecklenburg district against Republican Mario J. Robinson. Brown has worked with the Republican majority to improve legislation, and he’s been a thoughtful representative of his district’s values and interests. We recommend Brown.

District 98: In this competitive north Mecklenburg race, Republican John Bradford and Democrat Christy Clark face one another for a third time. (Clark unseated Bradford in 2018, but he won the seat back in 2020.) We feel much the same as we have before: As the only Republican legislator from Mecklenburg County, Bradford has been an asset, helping to secure funding for things like the Carolinas Aviation Museum. But Clark is a smart and principled lawmaker with a bipartisan approach, and she’s dedicated to her constituents. We give a slight nod to Clark.

District 99: Incumbent Democrat Nasif Majeed continues to be a solid representative and stalwart supporter of Gov. Roy Cooper’s vetoes. He’ll continue to be a strong advocate for Medicaid expansion. We recommend Majeed.

District 101: Voters in this northwest Charlotte district will choose for the third time between incumbent Democrat Carolyn Logan and Republican Steve Mauney. The district remains solidly Democrat, and Logan has been a capable representative, especially on issues involving highway safety. We recommend Logan.

District 102: Longtime incumbent Becky Carney is one of the most respected members of the House. That helps her get things done for her district, and it’s why she deserves another term. She’s running against Republican Cynthia Clementi, who said she had “questions” about the 2020 election. We recommend Carney.

District 103: Former Rep. Bill Brawley, who lost his seat in 2018, is hoping to make a comeback in this swing district that encompasses Matthews and south Charlotte. Brawley is a reasonable Republican who worked hard for his district during his time in Raleigh. He’s challenged by Laura Budd, a moderate Democrat and political newcomer with a strong grasp on policy issues. We give a slight nod to Budd, who is a better fit for this district that now leans slightly Democratic.

District 104: Democratic incumbent Brandon Lofton is opposed by Republican businessman Don Pomeroy again in this politically diverse southeast Charlotte district. Pomeroy is a smart businessman who would be a capable representative. But Lofton is a sharp leader and a skillful legislator who has earned the respect of colleagues on both sides of the aisle. We recommend Lofton.

NC House 105: Incumbent Wesley Harris faces Republican Joshua Niday in this mildly Democratic south Mecklenburg district. Harris has become a leader within his caucus, especially on economic issues, and his pragmatism fits this district well. Niday is a conservative who favors restrictions on abortion and says we “shouldn’t teach children that it’s OK” to be part of the LGBTQ community. We recommend Harris.

District 107: Democratic fixture Kelly Alexander, Jr. is running for re-election in this north Charlotte district against Republican Mark Alan Cook. Alexander has long been a leading voice on issues like marijuana legalization and prison reform. We recommend Alexander.

District 112: This new House district, which encompasses Mint Hill and parts of east Charlotte, features a familiar face: Tricia Cotham, a Democrat who served in the state legislature from 2007 to 2016. That experience is a real asset, and she would be a solid presence in the General Assembly. We recommend Cotham.

This story was originally published October 21, 2022 at 6:00 AM.