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.
Orange County Schools is experiencing a time of change, as the district adjusts to its new superintendent after a fall of interim leadership following the departure of Monique Felder. Since the last election cycle, the school board has been divided on some issues and community members are anxiously awaiting 2024’s elections, with different groups and PACs are supporting different slates to push which direction it will head next.
Three incumbents — Carrie Doyle, Bonnie Hauser and Jennifer Moore — are running to retain their seats and are met with four challengers: Kevin Alston Jr., Michael Johnson, Wendy Padilla and Cindy Shriner. The race is non-partisan, meaning the winners of the seats will be determined in the primary election on March 5.
Here are the questions each candidate was asked as they recorded at 97.9 The Hill’s studios:
Why were you inspired to join this race?
What are the top three issues your campaign is built on?
How do you believe Orange County Schools should recognize and address inequities among its student population? What strategies do you support in addressing those inequities?
How do you feel about the “Parents’ Bill of Rights” law adopted by NC and how do you see it affecting Orange County Schools going forward?
What are any current policies in the district you wish to maintain/expand if elected? What are any current policies you wish to see changed?
When voters see your name on the ballot, what do you want them to think of?
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.
Photo via Matherly Collins/The Daily Tar Heel.
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