During this election season, 97.9 The Hill and Chapelboro spoke with candidates seeking to represent Orange County residents and recorded their answers a series of questions, allowing them to address voters. The goal is to better inform voters on each candidates’ goals and primary messages in their own words, while addressing issues important to local residents.
Each candidate answered the same set of questions regarding their decision to run for elected office, top priorities for their campaigns and what they wish for residents to think of when voting this fall. The interviews were conducted in-person in the 97.9 The Hill studios in Chapel Hill, and if a candidate did not respond or chose not to speak with the outlet, they will be designated with no audio. The resulting Candidate Introductions are lightly edited for clarity and brevity.
Here is how to navigate to each of the local municipal elections 97.9 The Hill and Chapelboro are covering this fall. Click on a race and to hear from a candidate, look for their names and press the “play” button on the audio player underneath their photo. Additionally, tune into 97.9 The Hill from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 2 to hear special programming playing all of the recorded introductions.
Click below for each election’s respective page of introductions and to hear from candidates.
Carrboro Town Council (Special Election – 1 seat)
Unlike the other races on the ballot, the Carrboro Town Council race is non-partisan and reserved for only Carrboro voters. The open seat left vacant by Barbara Foushee’s election as mayor ultimately drew two candidates looking to become first-time elected officials: Cristóbal Palmer and Isaac Woolsey.
Orange County Board of Commissioners (4 seats)
Since the Orange County Commissioners primary election in March, two out of three races have been all but decided before the first ballot could be cast this fall — but District 2 is contested between Phyllis Portie-Ascott and H. Nathan Robinson.
North Carolina House Districts 50 and 56
Democratic Rep. Renée Price will again claim victory for a two-year term in District 50, while District 56 sees between Democratic incumbent Allen Buansi and Republican candidate Jeffrey Hoagland.
NC Senate District 23
The District 23 Senate election drew no primary contenders, so the general race is a straight-ahead contest between Democratic Sen. Graig R. Meyer and Republican challenger Lauren Pichardo.
U.S. House of Representatives, NC District 4
Democrat and freshman Rep. Valerie Foushee faced no primary challenges and is looking for a second term in Congress after many years as a state legislator and local elected official. Republican candidate, technology executive and New Hill native Eric Blankenburg won a primary race against Max Ganorkar to face off against Foushee in the general election.
North Carolina Governor
North Carolina is looking for its next governor to follow Roy Cooper, who is term-limited. This cycle’s gubernatorial contest is between two sitting members of the Council of State: Attorney General and Democratic nominee Josh Stein, and Lt. Gov. and Republican nominee Mark Robinson.
For more of 97.9 The Hill and Chapelboro’s local election coverage, visit our Local Elections page. Tune in to 97.9 The Hill’s Election Night coverage on Tuesday, Nov. 5 for up-to-the-minute live results, coverage and commentary.
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