With two town commissioners stepping down from elected office this year, the race for Pittsboro Board of Commissioners features a crowded field. Among the candidates vying for one of the two seats is Corey Forrest, who currently chairs the town’s planning board.
Forrest — who filed to run in July alongside his fellow challengers to succeed Pamela Baldwin and James Vose — entered the election because of his goal to embrace the “opportunities and challenges” that come with the community’s ongoing growth. In an email to Chapelboro, he said his hope is to see “thoughtful” and “balanced” land-planning approaches for Pittsboro.
“I think that is a shared sentiment throughout the community,” Forrest added. “During my short time on the Planning Board, and years now as a professional land surveyor, I’ve gained a deep understanding of the development processes, and I want to use that experience to help guide development in a way that protects the character of Pittsboro and sincerely benefits the community.”
Forrest served in the Marine Corps for five years before becoming a land surveyor and project manager with the Raleigh-based engineering and planning firm McAdams. He said his time involved with both, as well as the year served on Pittsboro’s planning board, inform his leadership style that prioritizes accountability, clear communication, listening and collaboration. He said he wants to be a practice problem-solver with other commissioners on the board if he is elected and to build consensus to allow for effective decision-making to serve the town’s residents.
“I’m excited to hear directly from my neighbors and the other candidates about what they value most and what concerns they have about the future of Pittsboro,” Forrest said in response to what he is interested in learning during this election cycle. “I see the campaign as a chance to connect with the community better, and I’m looking forward to learning more about how I can represent them effectively.”
Forrest will be on the ballot along with Freda Alston, Alex M. Brinker, Ashley Gross, Candace Hunziker, Tobais Palmer, Nikkolas Shramek and Tiana Thurber. The top two candidates to receive votes will serve four-year terms on the five-seat board alongside Pittsboro Mayor Kyle Shipp — who is running unopposed for re-election.
Early voting in Chatham County’s municipal elections will begin on Thursday, Oct. 16 and run through Saturday, Nov. 1. Election Day for the 2025 fall cycle will be Tuesday, Nov. 4.
Featured image via the Committee to Elect Corey Forrest.
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