During this election season, 97.9 The Hill and Chapelboro spoke with candidates for local races representing Orange County. Each answered the same set of questions regarding their decision to run for elected office, their background in the community and what they wish for residents to think of when voting this fall. Their answers (lightly edited for clarity and brevity) are shared here, as well as links to their respective campaign websites or pages. If a candidate did not respond or chose not to speak with 97.9 The Hill and Chapelboro, it will be designated with no audio. The order of candidates below is in the alphabetical order of their last names.

The races for Orange County’s Board of Commissioners often is decided in the primary, with that being the case in two of the three elections this cycle — all the more so with those races being unopposed.

The two of the board’s District 1 and one At-Large seat on the ballot this year are essentially filled, as no one filed to run against the trio who launched campaigns in the race. Incumbent Jean Hamilton and newcomer Marilyn Carter — who will take the place of the departing Commissioner Anna Richards — will the Chapel Hill-Carrboro district, while incumbent Amy Fowler will retain her at-large seat. All of their names will not be included on the primary ballot, but will be on the November ballot since there is no contest to decide.

Meanwhile, the Orange County District 2 seat saw a flurry of filings that will leave the race undecided until Election Day in November. Phyllis Portie-Ascott, who was appointed to the open District 2 seat in 2023, drew Democratic primary challenges from county planning board member Adam Beeman and nonprofit organizer Horace Johnson Jr., with a winner in March.

Here are the questions each candidate was asked:

Why were you inspired to join this race?
What are the top three issues your campaign is built on?
Housing affordability is a critical issue in Orange County. What have you heard from constituents in your district, and how would you approach decisions for all of Orange County when it comes to policies around housing?
What is something you believe the county commissioners have done well in recent years, and is there something you now would do differently?
When voters see your name on the ballot, what do you want them to think of?

Orange County District 2

(1 seat)

Democratic Primary

Adam Beeman

Photo via Beeman For OCBCC.

Horace Johnson Jr.

Photo via Horace Johnson 4 BOCC.

Phyllis Portie-Ascott

Photo via The Committee to Elect Phyllis Portie-Ascott.

Republican Primary

H. Nathan Robinson

Photo via Nathan For Office.

Robinson has not responded to Chapelboro’s requests to participate in the questionnaire.

Orange County District 1

(2 seats)

Marilyn Carter

Photo via Marilyn Carter for OC.

Jean Hamilton

Photo via Hamilton for Orange County.

Orange County At-Large Seat

(1 seat)

Amy Fowler

Photo via Amy Fowler for Orange.

2024 early voting in Orange County, and all of North Carolina, runs through Saturday, March 2. Primary Election Day will be Tuesday, March 5. For more election coverage and candidate introductions, visit Chapelboro’s Local Election Coverage page.

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