Republicans look to break '100% Democratic monopoly' on Mecklenburg board
Three competitive races for Mecklenburg County commissioners could potentially restore some conservative voices to a nine-member board that’s currently comprised of only Democrats.
Shifting voter demographics that fueled 2018’s blue wave — particularly in northern and southern areas of the county — may also propel another supermajority, crowding out Republicans Jim Puckett and Matthew Ridenhour, who are vying to reclaim their old seats.
It depends heavily on whether coronavirus conditions deteriorate this month, and how the momentum for high-profile federal and state races trickles into down-ballot voting, political consultants told The Charlotte Observer in recent interviews.
“Ordinarily, you’d say Puckett and Ridenhour have a good chance because they’re long-term public officials. They’ve run successfully before — they’re in districts that have lots of Republicans,” said Eric Heberlig, a political science professor at UNC Charlotte. “But they’re running in a political environment that’s probably working against them this year.”
Sarah Reidy-Jones, vice chairman of the Mecklenburg County Republican Party, said the lack of GOP representation is “not healthy” for local government. She expects President Donald Trump and North Carolina Lt. Gov. Dan Forest will help persuade voters to cast their ballots all the way through to municipal races.
“Ordinarily, you’d say Puckett and Ridenhour have a good chance because they’re long-term public officials. They’ve run successfully before — they’re in districts that have lots of Republicans,” said Eric Heberlig, a political science professor at UNC Charlotte. “But they’re running in a political environment that’s probably working against them this year.”
Sarah Reidy-Jones, vice chairman of the Mecklenburg County Republican Party, said the lack of GOP representation is “not healthy” for local government. She expects President Donald Trump and North Carolina Lt. Gov. Dan Forest will help persuade voters to cast their ballots all the way through to municipal races.
https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/politics-government/election/voter-guide/article246097065.html#storylink=cpy