Tai Huynh became the latest sitting Chapel Hill Town Council member to share their plans for the fall election cycle on Wednesday — and the latest to not run for another term.
Huynh shared a message to the community on social media, saying his decision comes with “both a sense of regret and fulfillment.” He said he feels honored to have served as a representative during his lone term on the council, which will end in December.
“When I was elected four years ago, my colleagues and I were starting a company to provide technology services to municipalities and counties,” said Huynh, speaking of Acta Solutions, for which he is the CEO. “Our business is succeeding. This rapid growth is requiring more and more of my time and I find that I can no longer devote the time needed to be the Council member that Chapel Hill deserves.”
Huynh’s tenure began in 2019 on the heels of one of the closest elections in recent cycles. Running while still an undergraduate student at UNC, he earned the final spot on the council by 24 votes over incumbent Nancy Oates. In addition to being one of the younger elected officials in North Carolina, he also became the first Vietnamese-American to hold public office in the state.
“This role has allowed me to witness first-hand the incredible strength and resilience of our community,” Huynh wrote on Wednesday, “as well as work alongside individuals who are truly dedicated to making Chapel Hill the remarkable town it is today. I could not have asked for a better group of colleagues.”
Among the accomplishments he says he’s most proud of, Huynh highlighted Chapel Hill’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic as a success in mitigating the virus and assisting businesses — as well as distributing federal funding to local organizations and residents. He also cited the council’s recent efforts to create more affordable housing, develop a framework for sustainable and environmentally-conscious growth, and improving pay for town staff as benchmarks of his term.
“Now, as I reflect upon this chapter of my life,” he wrote, “I feel confident in passing the torch to new leaders who will carry our vision forward. While I may not be seeking reelection, please rest assured that my commitment to Chapel Hill and its residents remains unwavering. I will continue to actively participate in community initiatives, and lend my support to causes that aid the most vulnerable and underserved in our Town.”
Huynh becomes the second of four sitting council members to announce his plans to leave the elected body, as Michael Parker shared his plans to not seek re-election on June 28. Jessica Anderson and Amy Ryan have yet to publicly share their plans, while three challenger candidates have formally launched their campaigns: Melissa McCullough, Michael Beauregard, and Elizabeth Sharp.
With the filing period for local elections getting closer, more and more decisions are expected to be shared soon. The window to file begins at 12 p.m. on Friday, July 7 and closes on Friday, July 21.
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