The N.C. Sierra Club recently shared its endorsements in the Orange County municipal elections.
The environment-focused advocacy group, whose statewide political arm handles endorsements, released on Sunday the candidates it is supporting in the upcoming Chapel Hill and Carrboro races. Candidates in each of the races were sent questionnaires by their local chapters, who also coordinate interviews with candidates before voting on recommendations by email to form their recommendations to the state club.
In the Chapel Hill municipal races, the statewide chapter endorsed incumbent Jess Anderson in the mayoral election, citing her advocacy of the town’s Complete Community Framework, “Everywhere to Everywhere” greenway network, and affordable housing efforts. Although Anderson is running unopposed, the Sierra Club first endorsed her for the position in 2023 and is continuing to support her platform.
While there are four open council seats, the club formally endorsed three town council candidates for Chapel Hill: incumbent Paris Miller-Foushee, Louie Rivers III, and Wes McMahon. The group said either incumbent Camille Berry or challenger Erik Valera would make an effective fourth seat, while stating that the other three endorsees would “best serve the sustainability and environmental challenges of the Town of Chapel Hill.”
In its endorsement, the Sierra Club noted how the environment is one of Miller-Foushee’s top platform positions and supported her ongoing efforts towards creating bike and pedestrian infrastructure through greenways, transit and transit-oriented development, and affordable housing. Rivers and McMahon both previously served as members on the Chapel Hill Planning Commission, and the group particularly endorsed the candidates for their advocacy towards climate change and transit, respectively.
The group did not endorse town council candidates for the Carrboro election cycle, as the field is unopposed. For the mayoral race, the Sierra Club endorsed incumbent Barbara Foushee for her environmental justice and housing affordability efforts. The endorsement also supported her intent to advocate for a more integrated local and regional mass transit system.
The full list of endorsements the North Carolina chapter of the Sierra Club has announced for the 2025 local election cycle can be found here.
One voting site is currently open to early voters for Orange County’s 2025 municipal elections, with four more to join Thursday, Oct 23. The early voting period will run through Nov. 1, and residents will then have Election Day on Nov. 4 as their final day to cast their votes.
Chapelboro.com does not charge subscription fees, and you can directly support our efforts in local journalism here. Want more of what you see on Chapelboro? Let us bring free local news and community information to you by signing up for our newsletter.
Related Stories
‹
Chapel Hill Names Virginia Administrator Theodore Voorhees as New Town ManagerAfter a six-month search, the Town of Chapel Hill selected its next town manager on the doorstep of the new fiscal year. The Chapel Hill Town Council approved the selection and hired Theodore “Ted” Voorhees during its meeting Wednesday night, the elected body’s last before a summer break. Voorhees, the county administrator for the Orange […]
Chapel Hill Gives Chris Blue Permanent Town Manager Title After SearchAfter conducting a nationwide search for its next town manager, the Town of Chapel Hill ultimately didn’t have to look far from home. The local government announced that Chris Blue, who has been serving as the interim town manager, is being named to the permanent role. The Chapel Hill Town Council passed its approval of […]
Chapel Hill Tabs Outgoing Police Chief Chris Blue as Interim Town ManagerChris Blue won’t have very long to enjoy his retirement from the Chapel Hill Police Department at the end of the year — as he’ll step into the interim town manager role for Chapel Hill. The town council voted in a special meeting Wednesday afternoon to appoint Blue to the position, which was needed after […]
Top Stories of 2025: In Orange County, An Anticlimactic ElectionThe municipal election was always going to be one of the top stories of 2025 in Chapel Hill - though this year's race was unusually quiet.
Chapel Hill, Carrboro Town Councils Swear In New and Returning Members to Close 2025The Chapel Hill and Carrboro town councils held their final meetings of the calendar year and swore in November's election winners.
Orange County Elected Officials Share Support of Local Families, Speak Out Against ICE RaidsElected officials in Orange County affirmed their support of immigrant community members and criticism of federal efforts that recently brought U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers and Border Patrol agents to North Carolina through a statement on Tuesday. As part of President Donald Trump’s administration’s policy goal to crack down on illegal immigration — and […]
EXCLUSIVE: Karen Stegman Announces Campaign for Orange County Commissioner SeatChapel Hill native and former town council member Karen Stegman plans to run for the Board of Orange County Commissioners in 2026.
Berry, Miller-Foushee Reelected to Chapel Hill Town Council; Newcomers Rivers, McMahon Earn Most VotesWith the early vote totals and nearly all of Chapel Hill's precincts reported on Tuesday night, the Chapel Hill Town Council election appears unofficially decided.
2025 Candidate Introductions: Chapel Hill Municipal RacesFive candidates for Chapel Hill Town Council are vying for four seats — two of which are open — while the mayor's election is unopposed.
Sierra Club Releases Endorsements for Chapel Hill and Carrboro ElectionsThe N.C. Sierra Club recently shared the candidates it is supporting in the upcoming Chapel Hill and Carrboro municipal elections.
›
