What are Mecklenburg’s big issues? 2024 commissioner candidates say what they’d prioritize

From public schools to public safety, many candidates for the Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners agree on the biggest challenges facing the Charlotte area. But they offer varying views on how the county should address those challenges.

Voters in four of Mecklenburg’s six commission districts will choose their representative for the next two years on Nov. 5. The incumbents in the two remaining districts are unopposed in the general election, and three at-large candidates already secured their spots on the board in the March Democratic primary.

Multiple candidates in the general election’s competitive races expressed similar concerns to The Charlotte Observer about the county’s schools, growth and public safety. The county commission is responsible for approving a significant portion of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools’ budget and overseeing a variety of social programs, among other responsibilities.

The candidates also broke down their views on the county’s role in addressing the top concerns.

Here’s who’s on the ballot and what they had to say when asked about the biggest issues in the county:

Who’s running for Mecklenburg County commission?

The following commission districts in Mecklenburg County have contested races on Election Day:

• In District 1, which covers much of north Mecklenburg, incumbent Democrat Elaine Powell faces Republican challenger Aaron Marin.

• In District 2, in west Mecklenburg, incumbent Democrat Vilma Leake faces Republican challenger Angela White Edwards.

• In District 5, which covers parts of central and south Charlotte, incumbent Democrat Laura Meier faces Republican challenger Arthur McCulloch.

• In District 6, which covers parts of south and east Mecklenburg, incumbent Democrat Susan Rodriguez-McDowell faces Republican challenger Jim Marascio.

Incumbents Leigh Altman and Arthur Griffin and newcomer Yvette Townsend-Ingram won the March Democratic primary for the board’s three at-large seats, and they are unopposed in the general election.

District 3 Commissioner George Dunlap, who represents northeast Mecklenburg, and District 4 Commissioner Mark Jerrell, who represents east Mecklenburg and parts of uptown , are also unopposed this November.

Mecklenburg County Commission candidates on the issues

Asked for their top three priorities if elected, nearly every candidate who answered the Observer’s 2024 candidate survey questions listed education.

Meier pledged to fully funding CMS annual budget request to the county, and both she and Rodriguez-McDowell said some school funding issues lie with the state. That issue came up during this summer’s budget cycle , when multiple commissioners said the county is on the hook for more and more money for supplemental teacher pay because the state is short-changing the county.

“We are seeing our General Assembly effectively defund our schools as they fund more and more private schools with vouchers,” Meier wrote in her survey.

Marascio also listed education as a priority, adding he wants to see more collaboration between municipal governments and continue to fund “programs that are producing.”

“Those that are not must be revisited to determine what needs to change or if they should be eliminated,” he wrote.

Marin said his focus when it comes to education would be on “mentorship, vocational training and scholarships.”

Leake, who previously served on the CMS board, did not complete a general election survey but told the Observer during the March primary the most important issue facing Mecklenburg “is the quality of education.” Leake said she’s been an advocate for bringing more diverse teachers into the district, especially Black men.

McCulloch brought up education, too, but in the context of public safety. The Republican wrote he would prioritize building “a safer community through youth and adult education, including extensive vocational programs that focus on trades and emerging technology.”

Edwards also brought up public safety, saying she’s concerned about drugs and gang violence in the community and thinks Mecklenburg needs more mental health services to address underlying issues.

Marin wrote with regard to public safety he “would prioritize community policing initiatives that foster trust and collaboration between law enforcement and residents.”

Multiple candidates said they’re particularly interested in Mecklenburg County’s rapid growth, and what that means for the local economy and housing market.

Meier wrote she would continue to advocate for public-private partnerships to develop more affordable housing in the county and for preserving green space amid growth.

“Not only will green space solve to cleaner water and air, but it also makes a huge difference in our community’s mental health and economic development,” she said.

Rodriguez-McDowell also said she’s an advocate for preserving green space in the county, as did Powell, who did not complete a 2024 survey but lists priorities on her campaign website .

Marin said he’d prioritize affordable housing and economic development by facilitating “partnerships that can drive economic growth and provide accessible housing options for all residents.”