Still need to vote? Here’s all the Observer’s endorsements in one handy place | Opinion

The Charlotte Observer editorial board has interviewed and researched the candidates who seek your vote in this consequential election.

Here’s a recap of our recommendations for contested races on the Mecklenburg County ballot in 2024, including statewide and local judicial races. Our full recommendations in all races can be found at charlotteobserver.com/opinion.

President

Two presidential candidates are fervently seeking North Carolina’s vote, but only one would repay that support by humanely approaching immigration, by reducing threats from climate change and by encouraging a politics of hope and decency. That candidate is Vice President Kamala Harris. If she wins, so will North Carolina.

Governor

North Carolinians will have a critical choice to make between two men who want to be the next governor of our state. It’s a choice that can be framed in very stark terms: integrity and immorality, decency and demagoguery. It should be an easy one to make. We recommend Josh Stein for governor.

Attorney general

As North Carolina’s chief law enforcement official, Republican Dan Bishop would be a leader who tried to overturn a free and fair election, and in an office tasked with protecting North Carolina’s citizens, he would be a leader who has a long, harsh history of discrimination. We recommend Jeff Jackson for North Carolina Attorney General.

Superintendent of public instruction

Michele Morrow has already been an embarrassment for North Carolina as a major party candidate. She should not be a public official representing our state and its people. If you believe our public schools can improve with thoughtful, collaborative, innovative leadership, the choice in this race could not be clearer. We recommend Mo Green for North Carolina Superintendent of Public Instruction.

Council of state

Lt. governor: As a fierce supporter for public education and a vocal defender of reproductive rights and voting rights, Democratic state senator and attorney Rachel Hunt would be a strong complement to Josh Stein, who has a substantial polling lead in the governor’s race.

Secretary of State: Incumbent Elaine Marshall continues to ably lead and evolve this essential office for business registration and record keeping.

Treasurer: Republican Brad Briner’s vision for the office is more narrowly focused on growing investments without taking on unnecessary risk, and he offers a meticulous blueprint on how he would get there. He brings a deeper experience and a more sophisticated knowledge in the financial and investment sector.

Auditor: Democrat Jessica Holmes was appointed auditor in 2023 by Gov. Roy Cooper. She is now running for a full term, and she’s had a problematic tryout. We recommend David Boliek, but we’re troubled by the partisan campaign he’s run, including his boasts about ending “woke” DEI programs and policies at UNC. We advise him to remain independent if elected.

Labor commissioner: We believe that North Carolina’s labor department has been too aligned with businesses on workplace issues and unfair wage practices. Braxton Winston’s experience as a worker would be transformative to an office that needs change. We endorse Braxton Winston for labor commissioner.

Agriculture commissioner: Republican incumbent Steve Troxler has long had a strong rapport with farmers and success in promoting North Carolina’s diverse agriculture industry. He is a capable leader and advocate for North Carolina agriculture, which continues to thrive under his watch.

Insurance commissioner: State senator Natasha Marcus, who has served on the Senate’s commerce & insurance committees, brings a precise and thorough approach to everything she does. She believes there needs to be more transparency in the commissioner’s office, particularly surrounding negotiations with insurance companies over rate hikes.

(Read fuller versions of our Council of State endorsements here and here.)

N.C. Supreme Court

Democrat Allison Riggs, who Gov. Roy Cooper appointed to the Supreme Court last year, is a thoughtful justice with a broad and deep knowledge of the law. This board largely shares Riggs’ interpretation of the law regarding gerrymandering, voting rights and reproductive rights. We also believe the court should have better balance between Democrats and Republicans. We recommend Allison Riggs.

N.C. Court of Appeals

Seat 12: Carolyn Jennings Thompson is a capable and fair jurist who is attentive to due process for all, and she is a solid choice for voters who prioritize a better ideological and racial balance on the Court of Appeals. Those factors are important to this board, but we also believe that our state’s highest courts desperately need judges with a demonstrated history of working across ideology and party. We give a very slight nod to Tom Murry for Court of Appeals seat 12.

Seat 14: Democrat Ed Eldred has clerked under two Court of Appeals judges and has diverse experience in criminal, civil, appellate and family law. We appreciate his fresh perspective and commitment to equity under the law.

Seat 15: Buncombe County commissioner Martin Moore promises to rule on the merits of cases instead of partisan considerations. Moore would bring important diversity to the Court of Appeals, including as a western North Carolina resident.

Read fuller versions of our judicial endorsements here.

Congress

District 8: Pastor Mark Harris has said that the 2018 election in which his victory that was overturned due to an absentee ballot fraud scandal was “stolen” from him. We believe that’s dangerous and disqualifying. Democrat Justin Dues is a U.S. Marine Corps veteran running on a platform of anti-corruption, with an emphasis on voting rights and income inequality.

District 12: Incumbent Alma Adams has been a hardworking representative for her district, and she has a proven track record of serving her community well. She’s earned another term. We recommend Adams.

District 14: The likely winner of this race is N.C. House Speaker Tim Moore, who has has overseen the passage of some of North Carolina’s most damaging and divisive legislation during his five terms as speaker. Luckily, voters have another option in Democrat Pam Genant, a nurse and U.S. Army veteran who would bring a fresh perspective to Washington.

Full endorsements here.

N.C. House

District 98: Both candidates would be capable representatives for their district, but Mecklenburg County would benefit from having at least one Republican representing it in the House. We give a slight nod to Melinda Bales.

District 99: Incumbent Nasif Majeed is especially passionate about affordable housing and teacher pay, and he values bipartisanship and building relationships with his colleagues in the opposing party.

District 103: Democrat Laura Budd has had a successful first term in the legislature, proving herself to be a thoughtful legislator who is willing to work across the aisle to improve the lives of North Carolinians.

District 104: Incumbent Democrat Brandon Lofton is one of his party’s most impressive members. He’s taken on a leadership role within his caucus, and he has worked across the aisle on regulatory and child care legislation. He says he wants to temper the political climate in Raleigh, and we think that’s needed. He’s earned another term.

District 105: Tricia Cotham deceived and betrayed voters when she abruptly switched her party affiliation after taking office last year, and voters of either party should be wary of someone who is so wholly untrustworthy. We recommend Nicole Sidman, who is dedicated to her community and has a strong grasp of the issues her district cares about.

Full endorsements here.

N.C. Senate

District 37: Incumbent Republican Vickie Sawyer has been a productive member of the legislature, one that is attuned to the needs of her district and the greater Charlotte region. She’s also co-chair of the Senate’s transportation committee, which will be critical if the county hopes to get the legislature’s support to put a transit tax referendum on the ballot next year.

District 42: Voters have two strong choices in this district, but we give a slight nod to Stacie McGinn for her breadth of experience and knowledge of relevant issues.

Full endorsements here.

Mecklenburg Board of County Commissioners

District 1: Incumbent Elaine Powell has had a positive influence on promising improvement of parks and recreation in Mecklenburg County, and she places a lot of value on community engagement and making sure the voices of her constituents are heard.

District 2: Longtime incumbent Vilma Leake has long been a divisive figure on the board, but she has also been a strong advocate for underrepresented communities, particularly the county’s Black residents, and she remains active in the community.

District 5: Incumbent Laura Meier has ably served not only her district, but all of Mecklenburg County as a leader on key issues like mental health and education.

District 6: In her three terms on the board, Susan Rodriguez-McDowell has been an impressive commissioner, carving a role for herself on issues like education and child welfare. She’s also helped to repair the fractured relationship between commissioners and Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools.

Full endorsements here.

Mecklenburg County Soil and Water Conservation District Supervisor

Mitchell Mullen, who has a background in civil engineering, has a clear passion for the environment and a strong grasp of what the office requires — along with a desire to increase public awareness about the work that it does.

Other ballot items

N.C. constitutional amendment: NO.

City of Charlotte bonds: YES on all three bonds.

This story was originally published November 4, 2024 at 5:00 AM.