Soliciting rumors: Who's running in 2009?

Hey folks. Sorry for the interlude. I've been reading your comments, but between learning how to be a parent and starting to work again, I have not had much time to go to meetings or post on OP.

I can't help but notice on our calendar that the window for candidate filing is starting to sneak up. Any thoughts about who will be running for municipal and school board offices this year?

Issues: 

Comments

Hey

Nice to see you. This is that time of the (election) season when 'who is not running?' is also a good question.

Good point, Kirk. In addition to the fact that I am most certainly not running ;-) here are the folks whose terms are expiring this year:Chapel Hill:Laurin Easthom, Ed Harrison, Mark Kleinschmidt, Jim Merritt, and Mayor Kevin Foy.Carrboro: Jacquie Gist, John Herrera, Randee Haven-O'Donnell, and Mayor Mark Chilton.Hillsborough: Frances Dancy, Michael Gering, and Mayor Tom Stevens.Chapel Hill-Carrboro School Board: Jean Hamilton, Gregory McElveen, and Lisa Stuckey.

Mark Chilton is going to have some serious competition this year. 

Mark is doing a fantastic job.

I am

no surprise  

 

Jacquie Gist 

Keep an ear out for Mark Kleinschmidt to announce for Chapel Hill Mayor sometime today. 

that Kevin is not running for reelection?

My understanding is that Mark was waiting for Kevin to step aside.  We've seen other instances where an incumbent changes his/her mind at the last minute. 

has just announced that he will not run again.  Let the games begin!

See the following from the Carrboro Citizen:

I’ve been a member of the Chapel Hill Town Council for the past twelve
years, and I’ve been Mayor for the past eight years. Being Mayor of
Chapel Hill is the best job in North Carolina, because you get to meet
and talk with so many people from around the state, you get to work
with an exceptionally qualified professional staff, and you see so much
interest in issues from people in the community....I’ve given a lot of thought to whether I should ask voters to elect me
again this Fall. But because I have accomplished the things that I set
out to do when I first ran for Mayor in 2001, I am not going to run for
re-election this year....Anyone who serves in a position like mine understands how difficult it
can be to move on, because there are always new challenges to face. But
it is time for another person to lead in Chapel Hill.

Wow, I think Mark K would be a great Mayor (and he's a good camapigner too), but hadn't heard any suggestions of a run.  I guess we'll have to see if Cat's crystal ball is accurate.Kevin has indicated that it was his 'last term' for the last few elections. Maybe he's really done this time. I know Bill Strom has been interested in the seat in the past, but not sure what his disposition is right now. As for competition to Mayor Chilton, they're going to need a hell of a lot more than anonymous comments to present any real contest.

http://blogs.newsobserver.com/orangechat/chapel-hill-councilman-mark-kle...I've heard that fellow Councilmember Matt C was interested in running for Mayor, but I'm not sure if it was really Kevin he wanted to challenge, or if he just has a desire to serve the town and lead the Council.  If Matt does run, you can guarantee the race will be expensive, but I think Mark would easily connect with more voters even if he has less money.

don't want a history here of spreading a false rumor,,,

I am running again.   Hopefully I've shown that one can have a job and perform on the council, too.  It's not easy, as I've said all along.  But the council is worth it.So let the rumors surround others, not me!  I am thrilled to want to serve again, if Chapel Hill will have me.  

That is great news Laurin!  I was proud to vote for you last time and I will be proud to do so again.  Thank you for the sacrifices you make to serve.

Thanks, Tom!   And I will also add that I will miss Kevin as Mayor. 

Will Raymond is also rumored to be gearing up again.  Strictly hearsay. 

It wouldn't surprise me if Will ran again.  He becomes less and less effective each time he runs for office.  I really can't understand what he hopes to accomplish.

http://www.carrborocitizen.com/main/2009/05/28/foy-says-he-wont-seek-re-...

Foy Won’t Seek Re-election this Fall
I’ve been a member of the Chapel Hill Town Council for the past twelve years, and I’ve been Mayor for the past eight years. Being Mayor of Chapel Hill is the best job in North Carolina, because you get to meet and talk with so many people from around the state, you get to work with an exceptionally qualified professional staff, and you see so much interest in issues from people in the community. Besides all that, you always have something amazing to celebrate – like (only in the last couple weeks) a national championship at UNC, a national idol – Anoop Desai—, and high school students who analyze and challenge the town’s commitment to environmental protection.

I’ve given a lot of thought to whether I should ask voters to elect me again this Fall. But because I have accomplished the things that I set out to do when I first ran for Mayor in 2001, I am not going to run for re-election this year.

When I asked voters to elect me in 2001, I set out some fundamental themes that would guide me:
1) protect the natural environment;

2) respect and nurture the community’s commitment to education; and

3) keep our community a welcoming place that values diversity.

Chapel Hill has made a lot of progress on each of these goals. One of the joys of my time in office has been the extent to which our community has embraced and focused on making each of these a priority. For example, we have expanded environmental protection, especially near streams (including the 750 acres of open space in our inventory); we have strengthened our ties with UNC; and we have added hundreds of units of housing that are affordable to teachers, nurses, and police officers.

Lots of other things have also come up over the course of my time as mayor. First among them has been the Council’s responsibility to hire a new manager. Roger Stancil is an excellent manager and we are fortunate to have him. He and the town staff are among the best in the nation. We have objective proof of that because we see examples all the time – just one being the way our police department, fire department, parks and recreation, transit, public works, and communications office adroitly manage an event like Halloween.

Anyone who serves in a position like mine understands how difficult it can be to move on, because there are always new challenges to face. But it is time for another person to lead in Chapel Hill. I look forward to our future, and I am confident that Chapel Hill will continue to be a great place to live, work, and go to school.

Statement from this afternoon here.

My tenure as Mayor of Carrboro coincided with the first 4 years of Kevin's service as Mayor of Chapel Hill.  It was my distinct pleasure to work with him on issues of mutual concern.  I've always been impressed with Kevin's commitment to put sound policy above immediate political concerns.  He's a public servant rather than a politician; those are few and far between.  I'm sorry to see him retire though I certainly understand that you know when it's time to go.  Thanks, Kevin, for serving your community with distinction.

1.  Open election for mayor and one declared candidate, Mark Kleinschmidt.2.  One open Council seat.

In disussing possible contenders with a friend recently, we touched on the names of a few people who have been very outspoken about how local government should be run, and who have served on at least one advisory board. Some of these folks ought to put their money where their mouth is and offer their service and good ideas to the voters.Who are your favorite local loudmouths (I say that with the utmost love and respect) that you would like to see run for office?

Mark Kleinschmidt is scheduled to be my guest on the "Ethics Matters" radio talk show tomorrow morning at eight. The program is on WCOM, 103.5 FM. You may also stream the broadcast online at either of the following sites. At some point in the program I will open up the phone line for questions and comments. The number is 919-929-9601. Call in & take part!          http://carrbororadio.com          http://www.ethicsmattersradio.comJames Coley

According to that blog which shall not be named (I don't read the comments either anymore), Penny is running again

Penny is running.  She was interviewed by WCHL 1360 this afternoon and it will air at 5:00 this evening.  Her announcement is as follows: "I am proud to announce my candidacy for Chapel Hill Town Council. While
running in the 2007 council race I was honored to meet many folks that
live and work in Chapel Hill who share my love for this beautiful town.
Chapel Hill has a bright future, and I believe I would be a positive
addition to the Town Council as they guide us through the next phase of
growth. As a small business owner raising a family in Chapel Hill, I
represent the unique perspective of the average everyday citizen. In
the coming months I look forward to talking to the people of Chapel
Hill to gain an understanding of their priorities, needs, and concerns.
I can best represent Chapel Hill by ensuring that everyone has the
chance for their voice to be heard as we shape the future of our town."

Go Penny!

I hear Penny is doing this.  It sounds like a good program to me.  Anyone know where I'd mail a check to, to get it to her campaign?

on the Council. I really appreciated working with her on the OWASA Board and I know she would bring some good energy to the Council.

1.  Open election for mayor and two declared candidates, Mark Kleinschmidt and Augustus Cho (and maybe more!).2.  One open Council seat (M.K), one incumbent announced (Laurin Easthom), and one new candidate (Penny Rich) (and probably many more to come!).3.  Two more incumbents yet to declare, Ed Harrison and Jim Merritt.

Really?  Mark's gotta love that.  Completely unlikely to win, but avoids conservative votes going to anyone else.  Probably even scares off another liberal candidate because 3 ways are always tougher.

There are a lot more republicans in Chapel Hill than you think ... 

Please don't deface town property with your campaign stickers this time around.  As a show of good faith you could remove all of the old ones on traffic signs, roadside barriers, and other state property.

Now he'll probably run for a different office to feed his need.

Anyone else get the flyer excoriating Insko for her vote re: state employees' health care and her (non-)action re: Blue Cross/Blue Shield --  "paid for by the Working Families of SEANC)"?  Or hear the similar ad on WCHL this morning?  I bow to no one in my fury at health insurance companies' actions and policies, and certainly at the ad paid for by BX/BS against health care reform proposals. I've also been disappointed by Insko's vote/actions on a number of issues and wouldn't mind seeing a stronger candidate arise from the progressive/liberal ranks. However, I worry a little when the campaign season begins with an angry, negative blast targeting a specific candidate (and yes, a Democrat), especially when possible opponents aren't even named yet (are they?). Are we in for a season of attacks on non-conservative candidates launched tangentially (and paradoxically) out of certain, hot-button "grassroots" anger-issues? 

The NC Legislature isn't up for election this year.   I'm sure this is about issue advocacy as the legislative session is hotly dealing with these issues right now.

It's a long time until the 2010 state elections, so expect more of the same!

Of course, I mizzled ("misled") myself on who was up for election this year.  Thanks for the courteous corrections.     

The Chapel Hill Herald reported that Tom Stevens will seek a third term as Mayor of Hillsborough. http://heraldsun.southernheadlines.com/orange/10-1168411.cfmAnd WCHL has an "exclusive" report that Matt Czajkowski will also run for Mayor in Chapel Hill, which seems to just be Matt reading his entire announcement.  Maybe on the air they actually asked him questions? http://www.wchl1360.com/details.html?id=10684 For those keeping track, we now have Mark Kleinschmidt (Town Council member since 2001), Augustus Cho (Orange County Republican Party Chair), and Matt Czajkowski (Town Council member since 2007) planning to run for Mayor of Chapel Hill. Certainly no-one can complain that municipal races are all dull this year.  In fact, given his rhetoric over the past two years, I have some concerns about how Matt's participation will impact the tone of the Mayoral campaign. We will see...

Correction, Mr. Cho is the past chairman of the Orange County Republican Party.

Do you have some news for us?

Don't know the when but the website certainly confirms the current chairmanship as being held by other than Augustus Cho. http://www.orangencgop.org/aboutocgop/executivecommittee.html

FYI

I believe Mr. Cho had to step down when he ran for the republican nomination in the 4th dist congressional seat. It was a contested primary race. Usually the by-laws dictate that party leaders step aside in those kind of contests.

Augustus stepped down over two years ago.  Virginia Ferguson was acting chair for a while, and Matt Arnold chaired the OCGOP through the 2008 election.  The current chairman, Bill Knight, had chaired the party in the mid-nineties and was most recently a Board of Elections member.  County GOP chair seems to be a high-churn position; I don't remember exactly when Augustus became chair but it was during the time I served with him on the town Transportation Board in '06 or '07, so the local GOP must have had at least five chairs in the past three years.

Augustus Cho's run for congress results in some good stuff he can recycle for his campaign for mayor.  The Indy Q&A for him is here: http://www.indyweek.com/gyrobase/Content?oid=oid%3A231984.Some excerpts:--His stand on abortion rights:  "I believe that the legality of abortion should be left to the people’s
elected representatives in each state, and hope to see Roe v. Wade
overturned to allow for that. Personally, I am pro-life and feel that
abortion is wrong because it takes an innocent life." --On "Retroactive immunity for the telecommunications companies that engaged in domestic surveillance without a warrant?":
"Telecom companies who helped the government search for terrorists
must be given retroactive protection from lawsuits. Otherwise, the
costs of providing further assistance with this important program would
be simply too great to make further cooperation possible.  --On his Political Philsophy:  "I define myself as a conservative realist. I believe in the principles
set forth by our founding fathers. I do not believe a government
program is the answer to every problem. I do believe that the number
one responsibility of our federal government is national security,
because without that, all other issues cannot be handled."Perhaps he is more of a Quixotic Realist, as many of his positions are quite far from those of mainstream Chapel Hill.  But if he has the time and wherewithal to run, more (or less) power to him!  

Wow

Somebody running for office in Orange County who shares my views!I never thought I'd see the day.   If I lived in town, he'd have my vote.

Wondering if Matt C spent 22K on his council seat what he could possibly spend on a mayoral race, and a competitive one at that. 

with your question is that he didn't spend 22k on the Council race.

He spent $20,416.  The question is still equally valid with the more exact number.

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