During this local election season, 97.9 The Hill and Chapelboro spoke with candidates for races representing Chapel Hill, Carrboro and Hillsborough. 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.

Hillsborough Board of Commissioners

(3 seats)

There are three seats available in this year’s Hillsborough Board of Commissioners race. Two sitting members of the board are running for re-election, while two first-time candidates are looking to earn the seat left open by Mark Bell. While its the smallest field in this year’s town council or board races, it is still full of competition.

Here are the questions each candidate was asked and recorded responses to:

  • Why were you inspired to join this race?
  • What are the top three issues your campaign is built on?
  • Which of the town’s approaches to addressing climate change at the local level do you support, and what areas would you like to see more attention toward?
  • What is something you believe the town board has done well in the last four years, and what is something you would have done differently?
  • In your own words, what is the best possible future of Hillsborough as it grows?
  • When voters see your name on the ballot, what do you want them to think of?

 

Meaghun Darab

(Photo via Meaghun Darab for Hillsborough Town Commissioner)

 

Matt Hughes (incumbent)

(Photo via Friends of Matt Hughes.)

 

Evelyn Lloyd (incumbent)

Photo via the Town of Hillsborough.

Evelyn Lloyd did not respond to 97.9 The Hill/Chapelboro.com’s request for an interview.

Victoria Masika

(Photo via Masika for Commissioner.)

 

Hillsborough Mayor

With Hillsborough Mayor Jenn Weaver stepping down after two terms, current town commissioner Mark Bell threw his name into the race early in the election season and ended up running unopposed. He’ll be officially sworn in as mayor at the end of 2023 and is set to serve a two-year term.

Mark Bell

(Photo via Mark Bell for Hillsborough)

 

Early voting in Orange County runs from Thursday, October 19, through Saturday, November 4. Election Day will be Tuesday, November 7. For more election coverage and candidate introductions, visit Chapelboro’s Local Election Coverage page.

Photo via Visit Hillsborough NC.

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