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.

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