During this local election season, 97.9 The Hill and Chapelboro spoke with candidates for races representing Orange and Chatham counties. Each answered the same set of questions regarding their decision to run for elected office, their thoughts on pressing community issues and what they wish for residents to think of when voting this fall. Their answers (which are edited for clarity and brevity) are shared here, as well as links to their respective campaign websites or pages. If a candidate did not respond or chose not to speak with 97.9 The Hill and Chapelboro, it will be designated with no audio. The order of candidates below is in the alphabetical order of their last names.
Arguably the highest-profile primary on the ballot this year in our community and North Carolina is the race for state’s fourth congressional district. Covering all of Orange and Durham counties, as well as parts of Wake County and northeastern Chatham County, U.S. House NC-04 has long been a Democratic bastion. This year’s primary features two figures in local politics running as a rematch of the 2022 race. U.S. Rep. Valerie Foushee is seeking for re-election after two terms, while Nida Allam is looking to make the jump from the Durham County Board of Commissioners to Congress. They are joined on the ballot by Democrat Mary Patterson.
For the Republican party, candidate Mahesh (Max) Ganorkar is running unopposed and, similarly, Guy Meilleur is running unopposed as a Libertarian candidate. Both Ganorkar and Meilleur will meet March’s winner on the general election ballot in November.
97.9 The Hill spoke with each candidate, asking these questions that are reflected in the recorded responses:
Why were you inspired to join this race?
What are the top three issues your campaign is built on?
What do you believe sets you apart from the other candidates in this primary?
How are you taking action against threats to democracy seen at both the national and state levels of government? What is your advice to constituents for taking action?
How does your policy platform reflect the district’s values? How do you carry your constituents’ feedback/hopes/wishes with you to the House?
When voters see your name on the ballot, what do you want them to think of?
Patterson chose not to participate in 97.9 The Hill and Chapelboro’s “Candidate Introductions.”
Early voting in Orange County for the 2026 primary election runs from Thursday, Feb. 12 to Saturday, Feb. 28 offering an additional to register to vote for anyone who misses the Feb. 9 deadline. Primary Election Day itself is Tuesday, March 3, while the general election will end on Tuesday, Nov. 3.
More of the 2026 Candidate Introductions for local elections can be found on Chapelboro’s Local Elections page as they are published.
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