A pair of initial candidates in two Chapel Hill elections this fall have formally withdrawn from contention and will not be on the ballot.
The Orange County Board of Elections confirmed Jon Mitchell — one of six people who filed to run in the race for four Chapel Hill Town Council seats — withdrew on Aug. 28, while Lynnee Argabright took herself out of contention for a Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools Board of Education seat on Aug. 29.
Mitchell, a member of the Chapel Hill Planning Commission, ran for a town council position in the 2023 cycle and finished ninth in a crowded field of 10 candidates for four seats. After filing in July, he told Chapelboro he was motivated to run again by the goals of spurring more development through the town’s Complete Community planning framework and addressing the local government’s over-extended annual finances. But in a statement about his decision to withdraw, Mitchell said he will instead remain focused on his planning commission work and advocacy in other spaces.
“Running a successful campaign in Chapel Hill takes a prolonged, all-consuming effort — very much retail politics,” he wrote. “I’m deeply grateful for the encouragement I received, but after weighing both the competitive dynamic of the race (five other highly electable candidates) and what I could realistically accomplish if elected (less than I’d like), I decided the opportunity cost of missing essentially two months of family life was too high. I applaud the other candidates for their willingness to serve and wish them well.”
Argabright, a data science librarian with N.C. State’s university libraries, was one of four candidates running for three seats. Her withdrawal sets up incumbent members George Griffin and Riza Jenkins, as well as first-time candidate Melinda Manning, to be elected in November. Argabright did not respond to any of Chapelboro’s requests for comment following the filing period and her decision to drop out of the race.
Mitchell’s departure leaves incumbent councilmembers Paris Miller-Foushee and Camille Berry running alongside challengers Wes McMahon, Louie Rivers III and Erik Valera. The trio of McMahon, Rivers and Valera all have Chapel Hill Planning Commission experience like Mitchell.
Will The Vacant Council Seat Be Filled?
When the Chapel Hill Town Council returned from its summer break and held its first full business meeting on Sep. 10, the elected body was down one member. After having moved to Carrboro full-time in the spring, former Chapel Hill Town Council Member Karen Stegman stepped down from her seat on June 27. While this fall’s election will fill that position, the local government’s charter requires the vacancy be filled by appointment for the remainder of the term.
The News & Observer reported the council announced the application process for the vacancy during a specially-called meeting on Sep. 3, which was predominantly used for a discussion on recruiting efforts for a new town attorney. The application, which was then posted on Chapel Hill’s website, is open through Friday, Oct. 10 at 5 p.m. and the council is “expected to discuss the process for evaluating applications” at its meeting on Oct. 22 according to the town.
If someone is appointed, that person would only remain in the council seat until Dec. 10, which will be when new members elected in November are sworn in.
Requirements for those interested in applying to the vacant town council seat include residency in Chapel Hill, voter registration in Chapel Hill and being at least 21 years old by the time they take office. Applicants will need to include their name, address, relevant experience and signature on the form, which can be submitted by mail, online, email or in person to the town clerk. A physical copy of the application can be found at the visitor’s check-in desk of Town Hall and more information can be can by calling (919-968-2757) or emailing the clerk (clerk@townofchapelhill.org).
Early voting for the 2025 municipal elections of Chapel Hill, and the rest of Orange County, begin on Thursday Oct. 16, with Election Day on Tuesday, Nov. 4. You can read more of Chapelboro’s local municipal election coverage here.
Featured photo via the Chapel Hill Media Group.
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