Here are all of the Charlotte Observer’s endorsements in 2022 races

The Charlotte Observer editorial board has interviewed and researched the candidates who seek your vote on Election Day.

Here’s a recap of our recommendations for contested races on the Mecklenburg County ballot in 2022, including statewide and local judicial races. Our full recommendations in all races can be found at charlotteobserver.com/opinion.

U.S. Senate

Democrat Cheri Beasley would be a capable and thoughtful senator — and, notably, the first Black senator to represent North Carolina. Her values on important issues, including abortion and the climate crisis, align with most of the constituents she would serve. Her opponent, Republican Ted Budd, has repeatedly demonstrated an unwillingness to condemn what’s poisoning his party and threatening his country.

N.C. Supreme Court

SEAT 3: Both Richard Dietz, a Republican, and Lucy Inman, a Democrat, are highly regarded within the legal community. We are more confident in where Inman would stand on critical issues like voting rights and abortion — she’s spoken forcefully about the importance of voting rights and health care access in the past.

SEAT 5: Incumbent Justice Sam Ervin IV, a Democrat, has been a strong presence on the court, proving himself to be a justice who stays above the fray of ideology and party affiliation. His opponent, Republican Trey Allen, has no prior experience as a judge.

U.S. House of Representatives

DISTRICT 12: Incumbent Democrat Alma Adams has been an attentive representative and strong advocate for Charlotte since 2014. Adams is opposed by Republican Tyler Lee, an election denier whose extreme views are both harmful and out of touch with progressive voters in this district.

DISTRICT 14: State Sen. Jeff Jackson is a strong, independent leader who would represent all of this district. His opponent, Republican Pat Harrigan, did not respond to interview requests from the Editorial Board.

N.C. Senate

DISTRICT 39: Incumbent Democrat DeAndrea Salvador, a Charlotte native and the youngest Black woman ever elected to the North Carolina Senate, has been remarkably effective as a member of the minority party in her first term.

DISTRICT 40: Voters have a strong choice in Republican Bobbie Shields, a true moderate who supports Medicaid expansion and abortion rights.

DISTRICT 41: Incumbent Democrat Natasha Marcus has been among the strongest voices and leaders in the Senate.

DISTRICT 42: Democratic Rep. Rachel Hunt is a fierce supporter of public education who has demonstrated an ability to work across the aisle during her time in the legislature.

N.C. House of Representatives

DISTRICT 88: Democrat Mary 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.

DISTRICT 92: Democrat Terry Brown has worked with the Republican majority to improve legislation, and he’s been a thoughtful representative of his district’s values and interests.

DISTRICT 98: Republican John Bradford and Democrat Christy Clark face one another for a third time. Clark is a smart and principled lawmaker with a bipartisan approach, and she’s dedicated to her constituents.

DISTRICT 99: Incumbent Democrat Nasif Majeed continues to be a solid representative and stalwart supporter of Gov. Roy Cooper’s vetoes.

DISTRICT 101: Democrat Carolyn Logan has been a capable representative, especially on issues involving highway safety.

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.

DISTRICT 103: Former Rep. Bill Brawley, who lost his seat in 2018, is hoping to make a comeback. But political newcomer Laura Budd, who has a strong grasp on policy issues, is a better fit for this district that now leans slightly Democratic.

DISTRICT 104: Incumbent Democrat Brandon Lofton is a sharp leader and a skillful legislator who has earned the respect of colleagues on both sides of the aisle.

DISTRICT 105: Democratic Rep. Wesley Harris has become a leader within his caucus, especially on economic issues, and his pragmatism fits this district well.

DISTRICT 107: Democratic fixture Kelly Alexander, Jr. has long been a leading voice on issues like marijuana legalization and prison reform.

DISTRICT 112: Former state Rep. Tricia Cotham, a Democrat who served in the state legislature from 2007 to 2016, would be a solid presence in the General Assembly.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Board of Education

DISTRICT 1: Incumbent Rhonda Cheek, the board’s longest-serving member, has worked hard to build cooperation between unlikely allies and quiet some of the outside noise to refocus on student outcomes.

DISTRICT 2: Incumbent Thelma Byers-Bailey has taken a backseat approach to governing at a time when CMS needs bold and strong leadership. Monty Witherspoon is a thoughtful leader who would represent this district well.

DISTRICT 3: Longtime education advocate Gregory “Dee” Rankin is deeply familiar with CMS and the needs of the community. His campaign is focused on education quality and equitable resources for all students.

DISTRICT 4: Voters in this district have a choice: more of the same, or a fresh perspective. We think the latter is sorely needed. Stephanie Sneed is particularly focused on transparency and accountability, two areas in which the school board has been lacking in recent years.

DISTRICT 5: Former school board member Trent Merchant has the respect of people within the community, including county commissioners whose relationship with the school board has soured. That’s a real asset on a board that needs all the goodwill it can get

DISTRICT 6: Incumbent Sean Strain’s acerbic attitude has cost him the respect of his colleagues and CMS staff. Summer Nunn would similarly ask important questions and work to hold CMS accountable— without the condescension that Strain too often brings to the dais.

Mecklenburg Board of County Commissioners

AT-LARGE: Democrat Pat Cotham remains highly visible and active in the community. Democrat Arthur Griffin is a longtime community leader with respect across institutions and communities. Democrat Leigh Altman is a smart and capable commissioner who has the promise to be a thoughtful, authentic leader on the board.

DISTRICT 1: Democratic incumbent Elaine Powell has begun to earn a reputation as a one-issue candidate. Republican Ross Monks would be a thoughtful, dissenting voice on the heavily Democratic board.

DISTRICT 3: Incumbent Democrat George Dunlap has been a strong chair, and his focus on affordable housing and equity has helped propel the board forward.

DISTRICT 4: Incumbent Mark Jerrell is a sharp, collegial commissioner whose positions represent his east Charlotte constituents well.

DISTRICT 5: Republican Matthew Ridenhour has shown he can be both a strong, contrary voice and a respectful and affable colleague. The Board and county need that kind of voice.

DISTRICT 6: Incumbent Democrat Susan Rodriguez-McDowell continues to strike the right balance of attending to the economic issues facing her district while being a meaningful participant in addressing Mecklenburg’s larger needs.

N.C. Court of Appeals

SEAT 8: Republican Julee Tate Flood and Democrat Carolyn Jennings Thompson are both qualified to fill this position, but only Thompson has held elected office as a judge prior to the election.

SEAT 9: Republican incumbent Donna Stroud manages the court’s operations as chief judge and is regarded as a fair and impartial judge by Democrats and Republicans alike. Democrat Brad Salmon has a good mix of experience, but his record is no match for Stroud’s.

SEAT 10: Judge John M. Tyson, a Republican, seeks re-election to the Court of Appeals. His Democratic opponent is Gale Adams, a Superior Court judge. Tyson has authored a number of troubling opinions as an appellate judge. Adams is well-qualified and would bring a diversity of experience to the bench.

SEAT 11: Republican Michael Stading, a district court judge in Mecklenburg, faces Democrat Darren Jackson, a longtime legislator who was appointed to the Court of Appeals in 2020. Stading brings a greater breadth of legal experience, and attorneys who appear before him laud his fairness, compassion and deep grasp of the law.

N.C. Superior Court

DISTRICT 26A: Democrat Donald Cureton continues to be among Mecklenburg’s most highly regarded judges for his thoughtful deliberation and communication with all parties in his courtroom.

DISTRICT 26B: Republican Matt Osman is highly regarded by Democrats and Republicans alike in the Mecklenburg legal community for his fairness and temperament.