Here are all the Charlotte Observer’s 2020 endorsements

The combined editorial boards of the News & Observer and Charlotte Observer have talked to candidates and others this election season to learn about the people who seek your vote on Election Day. Here’s a recap of our recommendations for contested 2020 races on the Mecklenburg County ballot, including statewide and local judicial races. Our full recommendations in all races can be found at charlotteobserver.com/opinion.

NC Governor

Under historically difficult circumstances, Democrat and incumbent Roy Cooper has been a strong and steady leader who has made ambitious proposals for a better state. Since the coronavirus pandemic reached North Carolina in March, he has shown leadership by imposing and sticking with business and social restrictions that have been tougher than those in most southern states. That approach has prevented the infection spikes that have occurred elsewhere.

President

The Editorial Board did not make a recommendation in the race between Democrat Joe Biden and Republican Donald Trump. The Board does not make endorsements in presidential elections in which candidates do not agree to interviews.

U.S. Senate

The Editorial Board did not make a recommendation in the race between Democrat Cal Cunningham and Republican Thom Tillis. We explain why here.

U.S. House 9th District

Democrat Cynthia Wallace brings a 25-year career in finance and a rural farming and factory background that allows her to understand the needs of voters from the district’s rural counties to urban and suburban Mecklenburg. Her positions are moderate, and she would avoid the namecalling and divisive posture of her opponent, Republican Dan Bishop.

NC Lieutenant Governor

Democrat Yvonne Lewis Holley, a four-term N.C. House member from Raleigh, has long been a strong advocate for the under-served and a thoughtful, reasonable voice on issues that affect N.C. families. Republican candidate Mark Robinson has has been cringeworthy. On Facebook, he said Hollywood is demonic and criticized Black people for giving their “shekels” to Jewish movie producers.

Attorney General

Democrat Josh Stein has worked to curb the opioid epidemic, sued polluters and stood up for N.C. voting rights. His office missed badly in not counseling against the ridiculous UNC contract for Silent Sam’s removal, but he has approached his job broadly and effectively.

Insurance Commissioner

Republican Incumbent Mike Causey has long wanted to dismantle the N.C. Rate Bureau, but when the former Greensboro insurance agent defeated then-incumbent Wayne Goodwin in 2016, he realized that few agreed the Rate Bureau should go. Now Causey says he’s changed his mind on it. Causey, like Goodwin before him, has kept auto and homeowners insurance premiums low by regularly rejecting insurance companies’ requests for rate hikes, then negotiating reasonable compromises.

Treasurer

The COVID-19 pandemic has posed a threat to some state pension plans, but thus far not in North Carolina, where state treasurers have been careful stewards of the North Carolina Retirement System. That includes current first-term treasurer Dale Folwell. We think he’s the right fit right now in this challenging financial climate.

N.C. Auditor

No public official, regardless of party, wants to hear that Democrat Beth Wood is on the line. She’s an effective, independent auditor who has a history of dogged and meaningful investigations. She also has been proactive with performance audits, including an ongoing examination of the state’s new accounting system.

Superintendent of Public Instruction

Democrat Jennifer Mangrum and Republican Catherine Truitt can agree on one thing: State Superintendent of Public Instruction Mark Johnson, a Republican, has been a disaster in his first and only term. But Mangrum separates herself from Truitt with her strong advocacy for public schools and teachers. She will fight for better teacher pay and per pupil spending, and she will work better with a state Board of Education that shares her values about improving and strengthening public schools.

Commissioner of Agriculture

Republican Steve Troxler’s long tenure speaks to his rapport with farmers and his success with promoting agriculture, one of North Carolina’s largest industries.

Commissioner of Labor

Democrat Jessica Holmes will refocus the department on worker’s concerns instead of business interests. The Wake County commissioner is a workers’ rights advocate with a keen sense of social justice. Holmes could also become the first Black woman elected to a statewide executive branch office in North Carolina, also a welcome change.

Secretary of State

Democrat Elaine Marshall has presided with confidence and competence over a low-profile but essential office for business registrations and record keeping.

NC House

HOUSE DISTRICT 88: Democrat Mary Belk continues to be a pragmatic and hard-working lawmaker for her progressive district, and she’s quickly becoming a leader in the Democratic caucus. We recommend her for another term.

HOUSE 92: Democrat and Charlotte attorney Terry Brown, the son of public school educators, is thoughtful, progressive and shows a clear grasp of issues facing his blue west Mecklenburg district. He’s the clear choice.

HOUSE 98: In a rematch from 2018, incumbent Democrat Christy Clark faces Republican businessman John Bradford in this competitive north Mecklenburg district. Clark has worked on building relationships across the aisle and has shown she’s willing to represent all of her district, not just progressives.

HOUSE 99: First-term incumbent Nasif Majeed is a good legislative fit for his east Mecklenburg district. He’s an advocate for hate-crime legislation and paid medical leave.

HOUSE 100: Democrat John Autry is a reliable Democrat in a blue district. He’s an advocate for more aggressive climate change policy and innovative approaches to police funding.

HOUSE 101: First-term incumbent Carolyn Logan is a strong representative of this northwest Charlotte district.

HOUSE 102: Nine-term incumbent Democrat Becky Carney continues to be a capable representative of this blue district. She’s well respected by members of both parties in Raleigh.

HOUSE 103: A rematch of a very close 2018 race pits incumbent Democrat Rachel Hunt against former Rep. Bill Brawley. Hunt is a fierce public schools supporter who wants more aggressive raises for teachers.

HOUSE 104: First-term incumbent Democrat Brandon Lofton faces a strong challenge from businessman Don Pomeroy in a very competitive south Mecklenburg district. Lofton is a perceptive lawmaker who has worked hard to craft bills with support from across the aisle. That relationship-building would serve his district well regardless of which party has the majority.

HOUSE 105: Voters have two young, smart candidates to choose from in this growing district on the south Mecklenburg border. Republican Amy Bynum would be a measured lawmaker, one who is willing to explore new approaches to issues such as health care access.

HOUSE 107: Democratic incumbent Kelly Alexander has made the most of his more than six terms in the House, and if Democrats win the majority, he’ll likely have the opportunity to serve in a committee leadership role.

NC Senate

SENATE 37: Democratic incumbent Jeff Jackson faces a tough challenge in a district that has become starkly more competitive since being redrawn last year. The three-term senator is opposed by a formidable and capable candidate in Sonja Nichols, CEO of a Charlotte company that provides resources to startups. Nichols also is an accomplished member of Charlotte’s philanthropic community. Jackson, a former assistant district attorney, has been one of his party’s most powerful voices. He’s also been attentive to his constituents, hosting in-person and virtual conversations and providing detailed updates during the COVID-19 pandemic.

SENATE 38: First-term Democrat Mujtaba Mohammed has been an active member of the minority party and one of the few to get legislation passed - a “Raise the Age” bill he co-sponsored that treated 16- and 17-year-olds as juveniles in the criminal justice system.

SENATE 39: Democrat DeAndrea Salvador, a project manager in the technology industry, would bring a thoughtful, balanced approach to the Senate that emphasizes infrastructure and business growth for her district while providing opportunity to all through stronger public schools and capital funding for entrepreneurs with non-traditional backgrounds.

SENATE 40: Former Mecklenburg County Manager Bobbie Shields, a Republican. would bring a breadth of experience and public service, and a desire to work across the aisle.

SENATE 41: Democrat Natasha Marcus is an exceptionally smart legislator and hard worker who would flourish if Democrats win the majority.

Mecklenburg Board of County Commissioners

District 1: Incumbent Democrat Elaine Powell has been a thoughtful, steady and respected presence on the board. She’s not been shy about questioning other board members and is attentive to the needs of her entire district. Chairing the Environmental Stewardship Committee, she’s a strong advocate for the area’s parks and greenways - not just for recreational uses but also as a transit alternative.

District 3: Four-term incumbent and board chair George Dunlap is praised by his fellow commissioners for taming some of the dysfunction the board has been known for in the past. Dunlap didn’t respond to a request to talk to the Editorial Board; the Observer doesn’t endorse candidates who choose not to participate in an interview.

District 5: Two very strong candidates are running for this open seat: Democratic newcomer Laura Meier and Republican Matthew Ridenhour, a former District 5 board member. The Board, however, currently has no Republicans, and Ridenhour provides the best opportunity for voters to correct that flaw. He brings a wealth of experience from his previous board service and would be a smart and strong contrary voice moving forward.

District 6: Incumbent Democrat Susan Rodriguez-McDowell has been an intelligent and forceful board member who is keenly aware of the economic issues facing her district but has a clear-eyed commitment to solving Mecklenburg’s pressing needs.

Soil and Water Conservation District: Rich George calls himself a “climate crisis warrior” and is an articulate advocate for environmental issues.

Charlotte bonds

Voters will be asked to approve or reject three city bonds issues that total almost $200 million toward transportation, affordable housing and neighborhood improvements. We recommend voting yes on each bonds package. Charlotte continues to grow, and with that comes a ongoing need to maintain streets and sidewalks, housing and neighborhoods.

NC Supreme Court Chief Justice

Gov. Roy Cooper, a Democrat, appointed then-Associate Justice Cheri Beasley as chief justice of the seven-member state Supreme Court in February 2019, making her the first Black woman to lead North Carolina’s highest court. It has proven to be a wise and prescient appointment.

Beasley is a fine jurist with deep experience across the judicial system. She has served as an assistant public defender, a district court judge in Cumberland County, as a member of the Court of Appeals and, since 2012, as a member of the state Supreme Court. She has proven a decisive leader of the judicial system.

NC Supreme Court Associate Justices

Berger-Inman: Democrat Lucy Inman is a less ideologically rigid judge who has drawn endorsements from Republicans and Democrats. She is concerned that justices not rule based on politics. “The job of the judge is to separate one’s views from the law,” she told the Editorial Board. Phil Berger, a Republican and son of the N.C. Senate leader, did not accept an invitation to meet with the Editorial Board.

Davis-Barringer: The race between Mark Davis, a Democrat, and Tamara Barringer, a former Republican state senator from Cary, presents a dilemma caused in part by the recent addition of partisan labels in Supreme Court races. Davis has considerable experience in private practice, in state government and as a judge on the Court of Appeals. Barringer, a professor of legal studies at the UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School, is a former legislator who focused on foster care and child welfare and was known for presenting bills that gained bipartisan support. Her background as a lawmaker, business owner and educator brings diversity in perspectives to the court.

Davis is a high quality judge but Barringer could add a valuable dissenting voice to the court. Having both parties present on the court will bolster public confidence in the fairness of its proceedings.

NC Court of Appeals

SEAT 4: Democrat Tricia Shields brings 35 years of experience in the courtroom and is well respected by her peers. She’s also been endorsed by a range of organizations, including the North Carolina Fraternal Order of Police and North Carolina Police Benevolent Association.

SEAT 5: Democrat Lora C. Cubbage of Greensboro, currently a Superior Court judge in Guilford County, brings a broad range of experience to the bench. She has been an assistant district attorney and assistant attorney general, served as a District Court and Superior Court judge, and she’s argued civil and criminal cases before the Court of Appeals.

SEAT 6: Few candidates come to Court of Appeals races with the credentials and high regard of peers as Democrat Gray Styers. The Raleigh attorney began his 30-plus year career serving as a law clerk for Chief Judge Sam J. Ervin III on the Fourth Circuit, and he offers significant litigation experience, including arguing in front of the Court of Appeals and filing an amicus brief before the N.C. Supreme Court in the landmark Leandro case.

SEAT 7: Democrat Reuben Young has served on the Court of Appeals since 2019, when he was appointed by Gov. Roy Cooper. Young has been a prosecutor, defense attorney and Superior Court judge, and he served under three governors, including as Secretary of the Department of Public Safety.

SEAT 13: Chris Brook, a Democrat, has served on the court since his appointment by Cooper in 2019. During 14 years of private practice, he has successfully litigated cases in state and federal courts, including the U.S. Supreme Court.

Superior Court

Republican Casey Viser, who is serving his first term as District 26 Superior Court judge, faces Democrat and former District Court Judge Alicia Brooks. Both are strong candidates who have the respect of their peers in the Mecklenburg legal community. Viser brings almost 20 years of Superior Court experience as an attorney and judge, however, and he’s served very capably on the Superior Court bench.

District Court

Best-Finn: Democrat Kimberly Best faces Charlotte attorney Pat Finn. Best rings a unique background - she’s a former teacher who became a criminal magistrate and eventually opened her own law firm. She’s worked all over the District Court, including in family law and juvenile law.

Marvel-Panyanouvong-Rubeck: Democrat Rex Marvel, who was appointed last year, faces Republican Sunny Panyanouvong-Rubeck. Both come from the Public Defender’s Office, where Panyanouvong-Rubeck supervises the Felony Drug Unit. Marvel has been a thoughtful judge and community servant. Panyanouvong-Rubeck would be the only Asian-American District Court judge in Mecklenburg.

This story was originally published November 2, 2020 at 3:10 PM.