The Orange County Board of Commissioners is governed by a seven-member board of commissioners, elected in partisan countywide elections. Candidates are elected by district in the Primary elections, but at-large in the General election. Commissioners serve four-year terms and elections are held in November of even-numbered years.The Board is comprised of one three-member district (District 1), one two-member district (District 2) and two members. The primary duties of the board include adopting an annual budget, establishing the annual property tax rate, appointing various officials and representatives to advisory boards and commissions, enacting local ordinances, and assessing and establishing priorities on the many community needs, especially those related to health, education, aging, social services, transportation, and the environment. The board also has the authority to call bond referenda, enter into contracts and establish new programs and departments.acts and establish new programs and departments.
Position/philosophy statement
Government shouldn't happen TO its residents, it should happen WITH them. On the ballot, I aim to represent strong economic partnerships, strategic land conservation, and policy that considers the rich diversity of all the county's residents.
Current Occupation
Clinical Researcher
Campaign Phone
9199235136
I’m a researcher by profession, so I am driven by results using well founded data. For the last four years I have been a volunteer advisory board member with dual appointment on the Planning Board and Board of Adjustments. Spending countless hours educating myself on governing documents and strategic planning initiatives. Being able to identify systemic threats is not the same as trying to implement a solution for long-standing issues.
My candidacy is focused on how to make the County work for all residents, not just the loudest ones. I want to invest my time and effort into Orange County, where I’ve grown up and continue to make my home. My hope is to help shape the future of our community as your next County Commissioner for District 2!
The most pressing issue facing Orange County, especially District 2, is managing economic and infrastructural growth responsibly, while balancing a budget that has become too dependent on residential property taxes. This can (and does) have a disproportionate (and detrimental) effect on some of our most vulnerable residents.
Orange County is changing, and it is up to elected officials to work together with community leaders to ensure we are creating opportunity for all. Not just those who have the privilege of being able to advocate for themselves.
Working closely with the school board and inter-local administrations to ensure we are giving young people the best chances. If programs are under enrolled in one area, we should be able to offer these services to any nearby student or young adult, along with transportation.
I will advocate for more programs that reinforce ‘adult-readiness’ and offering expanded training programs for alternate pathways after graduation.
County offices offer a unique education in governance, administration, and leadership roles that could help supplement how and where there is an opportunity for learning.
Properly funded schools will always be a top priority and making sure that details, such as a state budget, don’t impede on our ability to progress.
My vision is for intentional, locally-grounded economic growth that reflects the diversity of Orange County’s communities. That includes supporting small businesses, agriculture, and place-appropriate commercial development rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.
I will support policies that align economic development alongside land conservation, workforce needs and infrastructure capacity; ensuring that incoming growth strengthens us collectively, rather than displacing people who make it work.
Growth often occurs in areas lacking infrastructure or services to keep pace. If elected, I will prioritize long-range planning that is transparent, data-driven, and rooted in the community so growth supports, not overwhelms, existing residents.
My personal goal, if elected, will be to create local policies aimed at improving the daily lives of those who relief the most: caregivers, long-time residents, and new families. We must do what is in our power to address those who are taking care of one another. Policies centered around caregiver support, universal childcare access, and funding successfully proven programs.
This includes expanding multi-modal transportation and services that target our previous senior citizens, as well as youth programs that prepare our next generation of residents.
I bring a combination of preparation, curiosity, and accountability. I will continue to ask hard questions while respecting the complexity of the role of County Commissioner.
Additionally, Protecting waterways, green space, and biodiversity is not just an environmental issue, it’s an economic and public health issue. Building a better county for the next generation starts with using best practices with regard to surface water management, forestry protection, and light/noise pollution that is inevitable with continued growth.
Growth pressures will continue, and I will push for purposeful, thoughtful, and well researched solutions that align long-range planning and day-to-day decision making. Commissioners must consider their constituents above all else; necessitating a strong line of communication with residents about how growth proposals fit into the larger vision of our county goals.
Position/philosophy statement
My focus will remain on ensuring that the interests and needs of Orange County residents are addressed.
Current Occupation
Inspector for Summit Design and Engineering
Age (optional)
73
Campaign Phone
929-812-3248
-native of Orange County with 50 + years of community involvement
-lived experience as a rural Orange County resident
-15 years service as a District 2 commissioner
-served as vice-chair and chair of Commissioners
-served on various local, regional and state boards
-understands the impact of rising taxes
The most important issue facing the Board will be balancing the needs of our residents without raising taxes to the point that it forces our lower income residents to leave the county.
-providing safe and secure educational facilities for all students
-continue funding of Student Resource Officers, Social Workers and Nurses in the school systems-
-ensuring that funding continues to be sufficient to maintain county schools current ranking at the top of North Carolina systems
-work to ensure that the 2050 land-use plan includes pathways to direct development to currently defined areas along our interstate corridors and urban centers
-continue existing programs that support our local small businesses and farms with financial aid and advice
-advocate for expansion of services through our community centers
and increase staff as needed to ensure residents receive timely service
-continue the current plans for expansion of the Hillsborough circulator route, commuter routes and point to point transportation options to meet residents' needs throughout the county
If elected I will :
-advocate for District 2 interests
-support local businesses
-advocate for living wage salaries
-support affordable housing
-advocate for watershed protections
-complete the broadband infrastructure county-wide
-resist any tax increase for 2026
