The special election for an unfinished term on the Carrboro Town Council saw its first candidate file last week.

Cristóbal Palmer — a technical director for a digital library at UNC who was raised in Carrboro — entered the race to fill Barbara Foushee’s seat by filing with the Orange County Board of Elections on Friday. He told Chapelboro the decision to run came after several conversations with community members and friends about the position, adding that one particular conversation with three confidants helped him “get clarity.”

“I came out of that gathering understanding that I had already decided to run, and able to articulate better what questions I still had for myself and others,” Palmer said.

The special election is taking place at a time when much attention is focused on the federal and statewide election cycles, as the Carrboro Town Council typically holds its elections in the odd-number years with other municipal cycles. Palmer said he is aware of the challenges that result from that, as well as the challenge of running again in 2025 if looking for re-election — a result of Foushee’s re-election to the town council in 2021 before being elected as mayor halfway through her four-year term.

“There are other factors,” Palmer added, “but each time I posed a question either to myself or those I approached, it started to feel more like I was asking folks to tell me it was okay to put work on somebody else’s shoulders. It’s my community, and it’s my work. If not me, then who?”

On his campaign website, Palmer describes his platform as being focused on land use, the town’s budget, transportation transformation, and supporting Carrboro community members of all ages. He lists the Carrboro Connects Comprehensive Plan as a recent town planning effort he supports, saying it “gives us a vision for connecting every neighborhood to resources like schools and workplaces and making it easier for people of all ages to get around town.” Palmer also says he wants the local government to continue focusing on anti-racist learning and practices as well as climate justice and action.

The filing period for candidates seeking the open seat on the Carrboro Town Council will last through 12 p.m. on Friday, July 5. More information about running as a candidate in Orange County can be found on the Board of Elections’ “Filing for Office” webpage.

 

Editor’s Note: This story has been updated to change a reference to Palmer as a Carrboro native. He confirmed to Chapelboro he moved to Carrboro as an elementary-aged child, but was not born in the town.

Featured photo via Cristóbal Palmer.

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