Cumberland County will see new commissioners from a slate of three Democratic and three Republican contenders on the November ballot.
The six candidates are seeking one of three, Cumberland County Board of Commissioners District 2 seats, one of which is currently held by Democratic incumbent Toni Stewart, in her first term.
Other Democrats seeking the seat are Kirk deViere and Karla Icaza, The Republican candidates are Peter Pappas, Pavan D. Patel and Henry Tyson.
The top three candidates will fill the three District 2 seats.
More on this race: Meet the Republicans running for Cumberland County Commissioner
The board’s two Republicans, Commissioners Jimmy Keefe and Michael Boose, who also represent District 2 and have terms expiring in December 2024, did not file for reelection.
Below are the Democrats in the order they will appear on the ballots.
Kirk deViere
Kirk deViere , 54, has lived in Cumberland County for 24 years since getting out of the military and is a former state senator and Fayetteville city councilman.
He is president and owner of 219 Group, an advertising, marketing and public relations firm.
DeViere said he decided to run because he sees potential and pressing challenges in the community that require “steady, experienced leadership that puts people before politics."
“Though my time serving our community in the State Senate ended when I stood against partisan games, my commitment to work for the people of Cumberland County has only grown stronger,” he said via email. “My consistent actions as your state senator and city councilman have proven that I am a leader who will continue to put the people of this community first and deliver results, not just promises. I secured $500 million in state funding for our community, funding for clean water infrastructure and health studies, championed education funding, and reduced taxes for working families and veterans.”
As county commissioner, deViere said, he would work on issues that matter in residents’ daily lives — good jobs, clean water, children’s education and affordable housing.
“Now more than ever, we need leaders focused on strengthening our community, not dividing it, and ensuring everyone has opportunities for a better life,” he said.
DeViere said his qualifications for the board combine public trust, experience and his track record of delivering results.
“With two long-term incumbents stepping down, my experience at both state and local levels becomes crucial,” he said. “As a state senator, small business owner, and father, I bring a unique perspective on effective governance, practical problem-solving, and the everyday concerns of our families. My tenure in the Senate showcases my ability to deliver results, having secured $500 million in funding for our community.”
DeViere said he would bring experience, his track record and a people-first approach to the board.
“I'm prepared on Day 1 to provide steady, experienced leadership as we navigate major investments in our community's future,” he said.
DeViere said ensuring there is clean, safe drinking water for all residents is the most critical issue in Cumberland County right now.
“With over 5,000 confirmed GEN-X contamination cases, we're confronting an urgent health crisis that demands both immediate action and long-term planning,” he said. “As your former state senator, I've already secured funding for clean water infrastructure and health studies, while working to hold polluters accountable. If elected as County Commissioner, I'll leverage this experience to implement a comprehensive strategy.”
The strategy involves creating a countywide water plan that addresses the needs of homes, businesses, and government facilities, he said.
“I'll work to secure federal and state funding to expand clean water access, initiate public awareness campaigns, enforce stricter compliance with the Chemours consent order, and foster partnerships with state agencies and neighboring counties to develop regional solutions,” he said. “By balancing immediate actions with long-term infrastructure planning, we can secure clean water for today, and for generations to come. As your Commissioner, I'm committed to delivering tangible results on this critical issue, not just talk and promises.”
Karla Icaza
Karla Icaza , 44, retired from the Army as a medic after 13 years of service and has lived in Cumberland County since 2005.
She is president of Fayetteville’s chapter of Latinos United for Progress, ran during the 2020 election and lost to Stewart, Boose and Keefe.
Icaza said she decided to run for the Cumberland County Board of Commissioners because she’s worked in the community on a variety of issues including suicide prevention with the Fayetteville VA on Ramsey Street and homeless standdown events.
“I've been involved in the community, when all these issues started coming up about water in 2017. So, I wanted to be a voice for the people who need it,” she said. “There are a lot of people without water right now, especially in Gray’s Creek. Cedar Creek and Locks Creek, they also have water issues. A lot of constituents don’t feel heard, so I want to be a voice for the people. I think the need to serve comes from being in the military, and I want to serve the people.”
Icaza said she is qualified to serve on the board, because of her work with the VA for suicide prevention and with advocacy organization, Democracy North Carolina, which has given her a “deep understanding of the diverse needs of our community.”
Additionally, she said, she oversaw $12.5 million in supplies when she worked as a battalion medic.
“I know how to budget, especially in the military where budgets were tight, and I think it’s similar here,” she said. “When you go to the county commissioners’ meetings and you hear them planning the budget, everything comes down to funding. Our issues — clean water, public education, mental health, our homeless center that we’re trying to build — all of those things are great. I’m sure elected officials want to work on them. What it all boils down to is funding, so I think I can help with budgeting or coming up with alternatives or outside-the-box type ideas for partnerships and resources that are already here in the community.”
Icaza said she thinks the top issue in Cumberland County right now is access to clean water.
“It affects everyone who uses water from the Cape Fear River. Right now, we have people that don't have access to water, and we need to work to get immediate access. Then we need to come up with a comprehensive longer-term plan to make sure it's a safe water supply for everyone. It’s going to take working with (Fayetteville Public Works) and making sure they’re using the correction filtration systems, reverse osmosis and activated carbon. These are all things that we need to work together with PWC, and we need to put pressure on companies that are at fault and hold them responsible to compensate people who are affected.”
Dr. Toni Stewart
Dr. Toni Stewart , 53, is a special projects manager for True Vine Ministries in Fayetteville and has also served as a director for the True Vine Ministries Hope Center, which is a homeless center for women. She has lived in Cumberland County for 20 years.
Stewart said she decided to run for the Cumberland County Board of Commissioners again because she believes there is still important work to be done “to advocate for and serve the most vulnerable members of our community.”
“During my previous term, I witnessed firsthand how critical decisions made at the county level impact people's daily lives, especially those who are often overlooked,” she said in a questionnaire. “While we made progress, there are still areas where we can do more to address issues like affordable housing, water contamination, and economic opportunity. My passion for public service and my commitment to ensuring that everyone, regardless of their background or circumstances, has a fair opportunity at a better life drives me to continue this work.”
Stewart added that she is running again because of her desire “to fight for equity, inclusivity, and progress.”
“I want to ensure that the voices of those who are often left unheard are represented and that we create policies that lift up everyone, not just a few,” she said. “The work is not finished, and I am eager to continue advocating for a county where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. “
Stewart said her professional experience, community involvement and passion for advocating for residents — especially those who are underserved and overlooked — are among her qualifications.
“My background has given me a strong understanding of the key issues facing our community, and my hands-on experience in public service, leadership, and community engagement has equipped me with the skills necessary to effectively address these challenges,” she said. “I possess a strong commitment to transparency, accountability, and ethical governance. I believe that public servants should be accessible, responsive, and dedicated to the common good, and I am committed to upholding these principles as a county commissioner. My goal is to ensure that every resident feels heard, valued, and represented in the decisions that affect their lives.”
Stewart said it is difficult to pinpoint a single, most import issue in Cumberland County, “because several challenges significantly impact the livelihood” of Cumberland County residents.
“Like many communities, we face a range of issues, including a shortage of affordable housing, lack of shelter beds, an ongoing opioid crisis, the need for living wages, and a growing mental health crisis,” she said. “In addition to these pressing concerns, we must act as swiftly as possible to assist those harmed by Chemours' water contamination. While our collaboration with PWC is a significant step forward, there is still much work ahead. It is essential that we keep this issue at the forefront and continue pushing for solutions until all affected communities have access to safe, clean water.”
Staff writer Rachael Riley can be reached at rriley@fayobserver.com or 910-486-3528.
(This story was updated to meet our standards.)
This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: Meet the Democrats running for Cumberland County Board of Commissioners seats
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