With the start of campaign filing just a month away, the Chapel Hill Town Council’s 2023 elections gained a challenger candidate on Tuesday.

Melissa McCullough, a former U.S. Environmental Protection Agency employee, announced she is entering the race for one of the four seats on the ballot this fall. McCullough is a longtime resident of Orange County who moved to Chapel Hill in 2011.

In her campaign launch, McCullough touts her three decades working for the EPA and says environmental sustainability on a regional scale is one of her focus areas. She says she wants her background to influence some of the top “interconnected” issues she’s running to address: building more affordable and missing middle housing, investing in non-car transportation infrastructure, and improving environmental resilience.

“I spent my career at the EPA trying to understand the causes of problems, and figuring out how to solve those problems to create sustainable communities,” said McCullough. “Everyone deserves a prosperous, joyful future, and I want to use my background as a problem-solver to fight for a sustainable, vibrant Chapel Hill, for now and for generations out.”

Beyond her professional experience, McCullough served on the Town of Chapel Hill Planning Commission for seven years. She’s also been involved with the local Sierra Club and the Bicycle Alliance of Chapel Hill.

As with every two years, there will be four Chapel Hill Town Council seats up for election in this local government cycle. Incumbents Jessica Anderson, Tai Huynh, Michael Parker and Amy Ryan each will see their terms come to a close. As of Tuesday, none of the sitting council members have announced their intentions to run again or step down at the end of the year. Chapel Hill Mayor Pam Hemminger’s role is also up for election, as is the case with mayors every two years.

The filing period for the 2023 local election cycle in North Carolina begins on Friday, July 7.

 

Photo via Melissa for Chapel Hill.

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 biweekly newsletter.

Related Stories
‹
INDY Week Publishes Endorsements in Chapel Hill and Carrboro Municipal Races
The local magazine INDY Week has published its endorsements in this year's Chapel Hill and Carrboro municipal elections.
'Significant Change in Chapel Hill Politics': Local Expert on 2023 Town Council, School Board Race
Public Policy Polling director Tom Jensen discusses two crowded 2023 races, for Chapel Hill Town Council and CHCCS school board.
Donna Bell Reflects on 10-Year Chapel Hill Town Council Tenure
Chapel Hill Town Council member Donna Bell says she’s always measured her tenure with the council by her daughter’s age. “She turned one in November 2009, and I was sworn in in December,” said Bell. “[This year], she turns 11 years old on November 22, and by then I’ll be on my way to being […]
EPA Advisor, Former Professor Louie Rivers III Announces Bid for Chapel Hill Town Council
Louie Rivers III, a social science advisor for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and former professor, announced his bid for the Chapel Hill Town Council this week. Rivers is one of six candidates who have announced bids for the four available seats on the council this fall. “Since the last presidential election, I have become […]
Nonprofit Consultant, Artist Erik Valera to Join Race for 2025 Chapel Hill Town Council Seat
After falling short of earning election to the Chapel Hill Town Council two years ago, Erik Valera is preparing to run again.
Paris Miller-Foushee Launches Re-Election Campaign for Chapel Hill Town Council, Shares Priorities
The first incumbent in this fall's Chapel Hill Town Council election has entered the race, as Paris Miller-Foushee announced she is seeking a second term.
Karen Stegman Not Seeking Re-Election, Will Leave Chapel Hill Council After 2 Terms
Chapel Hill Town Council Member Karen Stegman shared in her newsletter Monday morning she is planning to finish her town council term in December, but will not file to run for re-election.
Chapel Hill Council Approves 300+ New Apartments, Retail Space on S. Elliott Road
The Chapel Hill Town Council approved a conditional zoning request for 200 South Elliott Road, paving the way for a new apartment community.
Chapel Hill Shares Latest Pond Removal, Construction Timeline for Legion Road Housing and Park Project
The Town of Chapel Hill is beginning early stages to drain and remove both the pond and dam at its property off Legion Road.
Chapel Hill Launches $20 Million Affordable Housing Fund With Help From UNC Health
A partnership between the Town of Chapel Hill and the UNC Health system is officially ready to help boost local affordable housing efforts.
›