Following a decade of service as Chatham County Sheriff, Mike Roberson will join the Chatham County Board of Commissioners to represent District 3 later this year.
With all of the district’s precincts reported, Roberson held 52.2% of the vote — roughly a 570-vote margin — over Kate O’Brien (47.7%). The win in Tuesday’s Democratic primary means Roberson’s bid will be uncontested in November’s general election, with no Republican candidate on the ballot. He will replace current commissioner David Delaney to represent District 3, which covers West Pittsboro and the northernmost area of Chatham County.
A lifelong Chatham resident, Roberson has held several positions within the Chatham County Sheriff’s Office in addition to sheriff, including detention administrator, school resource supervisor, and chief deputy. When filing for the commissioner seat in December, Roberson shared how the role would allow him to continue serving Chatham County and guide the future of the community, while also spending more time with family.
His campaign priorities included smart growth, protecting Chatham’s natural spaces and resources, and investing in the community’s youth. The outgoing sheriff said he also wants to help ensure the county is affordable for working families and seniors.
“Chatham’s at a turning point,” Roberson told 97.9 The Hill during the primary cycle. “The decisions we make now on growth are going to affect us for decades. I spent my career listening to people and serving the community, and what I hear most out of people is they want progress, but not at the cost at what makes Chatham special.”
“I see my role as a stewardship, taking care of what we have, planning responsibly, and keeping Chatham County a place that seniors, working families, and future generations can afford to call home,” he said. “A county that works for families today and for the generations to come.”
O’Brien is a longtime Creeks Edge resident who lives near Briar Chapel. A mental health and juvenile court counselor, her campaign centered on conserving the county’s natural health and beauty, particularly focusing on sustainability, as well as affordable housing, racial justice and equity, food security, and access to health care.
Meanwhile, in the District 5 Democratic primary — which covers southwest Chatham County and part of Siler City — incumbent Commissioner Franklin Gomez Flores earned the unofficial win over former Goldston elected official Lynn Gaines. Gomez Flores held steady with a strong early voting lead and finished with nearly 60% of the vote. He will face Republican Steve Ganley in the November general election to try and earn a second four-year term on the county board.
Featured image via Chatham County Sheriff’s Office.
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