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. 

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