Kimberly McGhee, candidate for Wake County commissioner
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Seven candidates are seeking the Democratic nomination for two at-large seats that will expand the seven-person Wake County Board of Commissioners to nine. The winners of the March 3 primary will face Republicans Gary Dale Hartong and Kyle Stogoski in the Nov. 3 general election.
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The News & Observer is publishing questionnaires for the Wake County Board of Commissioners at-large race on the March 3, 2026, primary ballot to help voters learn where candidates stand on important policy issues.
Seven candidates are seeking the Democratic nomination for two at-large seats that will expand the seven-person board to nine. The winners of the primary will face Republicans Gary Dale Hartong and Kyle Stogoski in the Nov. 3 general election.
The Democratic primary is open to registered Democrats and the more than 380,000 unaffiliated Wake County voters. Early voting is underway across a dozen locations.
Here are responses from Kimberly McGhee.
- Name: Kimberly McGhee
- Age: 56
- Occupation and employer: Management
- Education: Associate of Applied Science
- Endorsements (limited to three): n/a
- Previous political or civic experience (limited to three): 1. Program Manager – Seasons Village (Wake County, NC) Led implementation of the Pathways to Prosperity program supporting single mothers pursuing post-secondary education. 2. Community Advocacy & Organizing – Rise Up Raleigh Founded and facilitated civic engagement platform focused on local and state policy issues impacting Wake County residents. 3. Community Leadership & Public Engagement Thirty-plus years of leadership experience working alongside families, seniors, small businesses, and community organizations in Wake County.
- Campaign website: iamkimberlymcghee.com
- What is your favorite locally owned restaurant in Wake County? Centro
- What is a piece of media (podcast, TV series, video game, book) that you recently finished and enjoyed? The Gilded Age
How do you identify politically?
Democrat. I support policies that protect voting rights, strengthen public education, expand economic opportunity, and ensure local government works for working families.
What perspective or life experience would you bring that’s missing from the Wake County Board of Commissioners now?
I bring lived experience as a small business owner, nonprofit program manager, caregiver, grandmother, and boots-on-the-ground community leader who works daily with working families, seniors, and single mothers navigating housing, education, childcare, and workforce barriers.
What issue personally motivated you to run for office, and what would you do about it if elected?
The issue that motivated me to run is economic mobility. I work daily with families who are striving — going to school, working, raising children — yet still face systemic barriers to stability. Wake County is growing and thriving, but not everyone is benefiting equally. If elected, I will prioritize affordable housing, workforce development, childcare access and data-driven investments that move families from survival to sustainability. Every ZIP code should have access to opportunity — not just growth statistics.
Are there specific programs or services Wake County should add? If yes, please provide examples.
Yes. Wake County should expand and add targeted programs that strengthen economic mobility, mental health access, and housing stability. Workforce + Childcare Integration Pilot: Create a county-supported pilot that pairs workforce training with guaranteed child-care access for parents enrolled in certification or degree programs.
Affordable Housing Stabilization Fund: Establish a rapid-response stabilization fund for working families who face short-term crises (medical emergency, job disruption, rent spike). Prevention is far more cost-effective than eviction recovery.
Expanded Mobile Mental Health Services: Increase investment in mobile behavioral health units that serve underserved ZIP codes, especially youth and caregivers. Early intervention reduces long-term system strain.
Small Business & Caregiver Support Hub: Develop a centralized county resource hub for small businesses and family caregivers navigating licensing, benefits, grants, and regulatory systems.
Are there specific programs or services that should be cut? If yes, please provide examples.
I would not approach this role with a predetermined list of programs to cut. Instead, I believe Wake County should conduct regular performance and efficiency reviews to ensure taxpayer dollars are producing measurable outcomes. As a program manager and small business owner, I understand that responsible governance requires continuous evaluation. I would support: Reviewing overlapping or duplicative services across departments Strengthening outcome-based funding metrics Conducting operational audits to identify administrative inefficiencies Repurposing underutilized funds toward high-impact priorities My goal would be to eliminate waste — not eliminate services that families depend on. I do not support cutting frontline jobs or reducing salaries. Instead, I believe in smarter alignment of resources so that every dollar works harder for Wake County residents. Fiscal responsibility and community investment can coexist when decisions are data-driven and transparent.
Is there something Wake County should be doing to support K-12 students and teachers that it’s not doing now?
While the School Board oversees curriculum and classroom operations, Wake County Commissioners play a critical role in funding and wraparound support services that directly impact student success. As a former early childhood teacher, I know what it’s like to teach students who carry burdens from outside the classroom — food insecurity, housing instability and mental health challenges. When a child’s basic needs are unmet, it affects their ability to fully engage and thrive academically. I believe Wake County should strengthen: county-funded mental health partnerships within schools; expanded school-based social work and family support services; coordinated food security initiatives to ensure no child is learning while hungry; and teacher support pipelines, including supplement advocacy and retention collaboration with WCPSS
What specific changes would you recommend to Wake County increase access to affordable housing?
Wake County should expand modular and manufactured housing, incentivize Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs), and strengthen Community Land Trust (CLT) models. Modular and manufactured housing can reduce construction costs and accelerate development timelines. ADUs allow homeowners to add smaller, more affordable rental units within existing neighborhoods. Community Land Trusts preserve long-term affordability by separating land ownership from the home, preventing displacement. For example, Charlotte has implemented ADU incentives, and Durham uses a Community Land Trust model to create permanently affordable housing. Wake County should modernize zoning, streamline permitting and align funding to scale these proven models responsibly.
What separates you from your opponents and makes you the best choice for Wake County voters?
As an Afro-Irish biracial woman, I understand firsthand what it means to navigate systems that were not designed with everyone in mind. I have lived the reality of being denied opportunity, overlooked and expected to work harder for the same access. That lived experience shapes how I lead and how I advocate. As a small business owner, nonprofit program manager, and community advocate, I don’t approach public service from theory — I approach it from practice. I have spent decades mobilizing people, building partnerships, managing budgets, and delivering real results for families, seniors, caregivers, and working residents across Wake County. I bring a rare combination of lived experience, operational leadership, and the ability to unite people across differences. I am committed to practical, people-centered solutions that ensure every ZIP code in Wake County can thrive. That is why I believe I am the best choice for Wake County voters.
This story was originally published February 16, 2026 at 3:31 PM.
