The first candidate in Chapel Hill’s upcoming mayor race has publicly announced their campaign.

Adam Searing, a sitting member of the town council, shared with his newsletter subscribers on Wednesday that he is running for the mayorship this fall. The public interest lawyer was elected in 2021 to his first term, earning the fourth-most votes in the cycle.

Searing’s announcement focused on several issues the Town of Chapel Hill and its council are currently considering, pointing to his opposition and concern against some ongoing projects.

“We are going in the wrong direction on housing development, environment, budget, parks and more,” he wrote. “Let’s build a sustainable future not mired in the debates of the past.”

Among Searing’s key issues in the newsletter, he pointed to protecting forest space and open spaces in the town to preserve the environment and recreational areas for residents — a key part of his 2021 campaign. He identifies the town-owned Legion Road property and future housing site as an example of his voting record, where he voted against adding affordable housing to the land alongside formally making it a park. Improving funding for parks and recreational areas is also a key part of his platform, with the council member citing the town’s slow movement on creating a splash pad or updating a skate park as examples of prioritizing residents’ requests.

In the message, Searing also mentioned Chapel Hill’s affordable housing inventory and the town’s consideration of text amendments to its single-family zoning laws as one of his key sticking points. While no change has been passed by the town council, Searing maintained he believes that such a change could fail to create more reasonably-priced housing options. The town’s budget and spending priorities also are listed as a focus of his.

Current Chapel Hill Mayor Pam Hemminger has yet to announce intentions to run for a fourth term, but the fall was already shaping up to be a busy election cycle. In addition to the mayor’s seat, four town council positions will be on the ballot. Sitting members Jessica Anderson, Tai Huynh, Michael Parker, and Amy Ryan have yet to publicly share whether they’re running again.

If elected, Searing would have to vacate his town council seat and a special election would take place. If not, he could remain on the council through December 2025.

The filing period for candidates to officially enter the 2023 local election cycle in North Carolina begins on Friday, July 7.

 

Photo via the Town of Chapel Hill.

Chapelboro.com does not charge subscription fees, and you can directly support our efforts in local journalism here. Want more of what you see on Chapelboro? Let us bring free local news and community information to you by signing up for our biweekly newsletter.

Related Stories
‹
INDY Week Publishes Endorsements in Chapel Hill and Carrboro Municipal Races
The local magazine INDY Week has published its endorsements in this year's Chapel Hill and Carrboro municipal elections.
Council Member Jess Anderson Files to Run for Chapel Hill Mayor
Town Council Member Jessica Anderson entered the election for Chapel Hill Mayor, setting up a race between two sitting town council members.
Chapel Hill, Carrboro Town Councils Swear In New and Returning Members to Close 2025
The Chapel Hill and Carrboro town councils held their final meetings of the calendar year and used the time to both welcome new members elected in November and celebrate those departing elected office. The Carrboro Town Council’s swearing-in ceremony on Tuesday was incomplete, as returning council member Cristóbal Palmer was out sick. But […]
Berry, Miller-Foushee Reelected to Chapel Hill Town Council; Newcomers Rivers, McMahon Earn Most Votes
With the early vote totals and nearly all of Chapel Hill's precincts reported on Tuesday night, the Chapel Hill Town Council election appears unofficially decided.
2025 Candidate Introductions: Chapel Hill Municipal Races
Five candidates for Chapel Hill Town Council are vying for four seats — two of which are open — while the mayor's election is unopposed.
Chapel Hill: Mayor Pro Tem Amy Ryan on Good Neighbor Initiative, Flood Response and Upcoming Events
Chapel Hill Mayor Pro Tempore Amy Ryan joins 97.9 The Hill News Director Brighton McConnell on Thursday, August 14.
EPA Advisor, Former Professor Louie Rivers III Announces Bid for Chapel Hill Town Council
Louie Rivers III, a social science advisor for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and former professor, announced his bid for the Chapel Hill Town Council this week. Rivers is one of six candidates who have announced bids for the four available seats on the council this fall. “Since the last presidential election, I have become […]
Chapel Hill Names Virginia Administrator Theodore Voorhees as New Town Manager
After a six-month search, the Town of Chapel Hill selected its next town manager on the doorstep of the new fiscal year. The Chapel Hill Town Council approved the selection and hired Theodore “Ted” Voorhees during its meeting Wednesday night, the elected body’s last before a summer break. Voorhees, the county administrator for the Orange […]
Paris Miller-Foushee Launches Re-Election Campaign for Chapel Hill Town Council, Shares Priorities
The first incumbent in this fall's Chapel Hill Town Council election has entered the race, as Paris Miller-Foushee announced she is seeking a second term.
Moving to Carrboro, Karen Stegman to Leave Chapel Hill Town Council Early
Chapel Hill Town Council member Karen Stegman will step down from her seat on June 27, a few months before her term expires.
›