Orange County voters will pick commissioners, school board, judges, lawmakers in 2024
Orange County voters will elect four county commissioners and three county school board members in 2024, plus several District Court, state and federal officials.
Orange County Commissioner Anna Richards, who was appointed to the board in 2021, is not running for another term.
The March 5 primary is a key date for the Orange County Board of Commissioners and Orange County Board of Education races, since the county’s voters lean heavily Democratic and few Republicans have mounted campaign challenges in the past. That means the winners of the Democratic primary usually go on to win elected office in November.
Orange County has a district primary system, in which all voters across the county cast ballots in the at-large commissioner’s primary. Voters in District 1, which includes Chapel Hill and Carrboro, cast ballots in the District 1 race in the primary. District 2 voters, who live in the rest of the county, cast ballots in that primary race.
The primary winners from all three districts are elected by voters countywide in November.
Competitive races are also possible for four open N.C. District Court judge seats, N.C. House District 50 and District 56 seats, and the N.C. Senate District 23 seat.
In Carrboro, a special election will be held in November to fill a vacant seat on the City Council, and county voters also will elect an Orange County Soil & Water Conservation District Supervisor. The candidate filing period for those races starts in June.
Filing for the 2024 primary election ended Dec. 15. Early voting in the primary race starts Feb. 5.
When is the primary?
▪ The primary election is Tuesday, March 5. Polls will be open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
▪ Absentee (mail-in) voting starts Jan. 15. Voters can request mail-in ballots until 5 p.m. Feb. 27.
▪ Voters must register by 5 p.m. Feb. 9 to vote in person on March 5. Voters can also register at any Early Voting polling location.
▪ Early Voting runs Feb. 5 through March 2.
What seats are on the ballot?
▪ Orange County Board of Commissioners: The commissioners set the county budget and property tax rates, allocate money to schools, social services and public safety, and make policies affecting services, the local economy and more for years to come.
Four of the board’s seven seats are on the ballot: two seats in District 1; one seat in District 2; and one at-large seat.
▪ Orange County Schools Board of Education: The board reviews and sets district priorities, policies and budgets, advocating with county commissioners for school funding needs. The board also hires and/or fires the superintendent and approves contracts.
Three of the board’s seven nonpartisan seats are on the ballot.
▪ N.C. District Court Judge: District Court judges must be licensed to practice law in North Carolina and live in the district they serve. The races are partisan, meaning each candidate’s party affiliation will appear beside his or her name.
Four of five District 15B seats are on the ballot. District Court Judge Christopher Roper will face re-election in 2026.
▪ N.C. House District 50: one seat
▪ N.C. House District 56: one seat
▪ N.C. Senate District 23: one seat
How to run for office?
▪ Candidates must be at least 21 years old on Election Day, Nov. 5, and registered to vote in Orange County. Candidates must also live in the district in which they are running for office.
▪ Candidates can file in person or via mail between noon Dec. 4 and noon Dec. 15. Surrogates cannot file on a candidate’s behalf.
▪ Local and state House and Senate candidates can file their Notice of Candidacy paperwork at the Orange County Board of Elections, 208 S. Cameron St. in Hillsborough. Elections staff are available to help fill it out Notice of Candidacy and campaign finance paperwork.
▪ Candidates should bring a valid N.C. driver’s license or photo identification, and a check, cashier’s check, certified check or money order payable to the Orange County Board of Elections for the required filing fees when filing (cash accepted for fees of $50 or less).
▪ Candidates seeking a District Court seat or a state or federal office can file with the State Board of Elections at the Martin Building, State Fairgrounds, 4285 Trinity Road (Gate 9) in Raleigh.
Follow this link for more information about filing for office in Orange County.
When is the election?
▪ The general election is Tuesday, Nov. 5. Polls will be open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
▪ Absentee (mail-in) voting begins Sept. 6. Voters can request absentee ballots until 5 p.m. Oct. 29.
▪ Voters must register by 5 p.m. Oct. 11 to vote in person on Election Day. Voters can also register at any Early Voting polling location.
▪ Early voting runs Oct. 17 through Nov. 2.
County Commissioner District 1
Two seats are available
▪ Marilyn Carter
Age: 60
Party affiliation: Democrat
Political experience: member, Orange County Planning Board; member, N.C. Commission for Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Use Services; president (2022-23), Democratic Women of Orange County; past chair, Orange County Democratic Party
Career: Electrical engineer
Website: marilyncarter.org
▪ Jean Hamilton (incumbent)
Age: 64
Party affiliation: Democrat
Political experience: Elected commissioner in 2020; former member, Chapel Hill-Carrboro School Board (2005-09, 2010-11, 2019); longtime Democratic Party volunteer; member, Chapel Hill-Carrboro NAACP; former member, Women AdvaNCe Board of Directors; former member, Arts Center Board of Directors.
Career: Licensed clinical social worker in private practice; mindfulness meditation teacher; part-time employee, UNC-Greensboro student counseling center.
Website: jeanhamilton.org
County Commissioner District 2
One seat is available
▪ Adam Beeman
Age: 44
Party affiliation: Democrat
Political experience: Chair and former vice chair, Orange County Planning Board (2017-present); Orange County Board of Adjustment (2022-present)
Career: Owner, Beeman Electric Co.
Website: beemanforocbocc.com
▪ Horace Johnson Jr.
Age: 69
Party affiliation: Democrat
Political experience: Applied to fill vacant District 2 commissioners seat in 2023; board member, Preservation Fund of Hillsborough; member, Justice United and Piney Grove Missionary Baptist Church in Hillsborough
Career: Retired, Duke University Health System
▪ Phyllis Portie-Ascott (incumbent)
Party affiliation: Democrat
Political experience: Appointed to her county commissioners seat in 2023; former first vice chair and acting chair, Orange County Democratic Party; former secretary, Triangle Area Chapter of the National Association of Residential Property Managers; former president, Northern Orange Black Voters Alliance; former secretary, Northern Orange NAACP, former Connections Chair, Psi Gamma Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
Career: Real estate investor and owner, PPA Properties
Website: phyllisportieascott.com
▪ H. Nathan Robinson
Party affiliation: Republican
Political experience: Orange County Board of Adjustment member since 2022; unsuccessfully mounted a petition drive in 2022 to join the race as an unaffiliated candidate for at-large Orange County commissioner
Career: Environmental engineer, entrepreneur
County Commissioner at-large
One seat is available
▪ Amy Fowler (incumbent)
Age: 55
Party affiliation: Democrat
Political experience: Elected commissioner in 2020; Chapel Hill-Carrboro School Board member (vice chair), 2017-2020; former member, Chapel Hill-Carrboro NAACP education committee
Career: Pediatrician, Chapel Hill Children’s Clinic
Website: amyfowlerfororange.com
Orange County School Board
Three seats are available. The race is nonpartisan.
▪ Kevin Alston Jr.
Age: 22
Political experience: Orange County Schools Superintendent Advisory Council (2017-19); vice president, Minority Achievers Program (2018-19); associate minister, Harvest City Church, Greensboro; assistant pastor, St. Mark United Holy Church, Greensboro (2021-23); senior associate minister, Piney Grove Missionary Baptist Church, Hillsborough (2016-21); former executive board member, Northern Orange NAACP (2018-22); former worship chair, Woman’s Home and Foreign Missionary Baptist Convention (2017-19); former assistant basketball and football coach, Orange High School (2021-23); former member, School Improvement Team, Central Elementary School (2021-23); former MTSS Goal Team Lead, Central Elementary School (2021-23); member, Equity Goal Team, Central Elementary School; member, Student Support Team, Central Elementary School (2021-current); affiliate, Justice United for Orange County (2021-current); former member, Ministerial Alliance of Northern Orange County (2016-21)
Career: Behavior interventionist and after-school site coordinator, Central Elementary School
Website: kajforocs.com
▪ Carrie Doyle (incumbent)
Age: 51
Political experience: Elected to Orange County School Board in 2020 (former chair); chair, Community Engagement Committee
Career: High school science teacher, Durham Public Schools
Website: carriedoyleforocs.org
▪ Bonnie Hauser (incumbent)
Age: 70
Political experience: Elected to Orange County School Board in 2020 (chair, Budget and Capital Needs Committee; vice chair, Capital Needs Task Force Committee with Orange County and Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools). Orange County commissioners candidate, 2014 and 2016; board secretary, past treasurer and vice president, United Voices of Efland-Cheeks; program and legislative chair, Schley Grange; Northern Orange NAACP; founder and board member, Orange County Voice; Community School of Digital and Visual Arts (treasurer); board member and speaker, N.C. Center for Holocaust, Genocide and Human Rights Education (2012-present)
Career: retired, management consultant and partner, PricewaterhouseCoopers
Website: bonniehauser.com
▪ Michael N. Johnson
Age: 49
Political experience: A.L. Stanback Middle School PTSO; Orange Middle School PTSA; second vice president (2016-23), Elizabeth City State University National Alumni Association, Inc.; president (2014-21), Elizabeth City State University National Alumni Association, Inc., Raleigh-Durham-Wake Chapter; University of Nevada, Las Vegas Alumni Association; American Planning Association; American Society for Public Administration; Board of Directors and youth/exceptional needs volunteer, New Horizon Church
Career: Senior community planning and development representative, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Website: johnson4schoolboard.org
▪ Jennifer Moore (incumbent)
Age: 47
Political experience: Elected to Orange County School Board in 2020; former vice president (2017), Orange County Association of Educators
Career: Education; former exceptional children’s instructional assistant in Wayne, Durham and Orange County Schools
Website: jdmtrm9.wixsite.com/my-site-4
▪ Wendy Padilla
Age: 46
Political experience: Secretary, Orange County Democratic Party; assistant treasurer, Northern Orange NAACP; Latino Engagement Team County-to-County, Orange County; board member, WHUP 104.7 FM Radio
Career: Founder and president, Sunflower Turning Nonprofit, Inc.
Website: padilla4oc.com
▪ Cindy Shriner
Age: 59
Political Experience: Former Orange County precinct judge (2012-14); over 15 years as a children’s teacher and youth leader, Ebenezer Baptist Church in Hillsborough; over 10 years as a children’s teacher and youth leader, Abundant Life Church in Hillsborough; volunteer driver with Stone Soup Ministries, assisting Meals on Wheels since 2020
Career: Attorney, with a focus on residential real estate
Website: cindyshriner4schoolboard.com
District Court Judge Seat 2
▪ Samantha Cabe (incumbent)
Age: 48
Party affiliation: Democrat
Political experience: Orange County District Court judge since 2016; Chief District Court judge since 2020; member, Custody Mediation Advisory Committee for the Administrative Office of the Courts and District Court Judges Association Education Committee; former chair, Orange County Board of Adjustment; former treasurer and president, 15B District Bar; former member, Orange County Planning Board; founding member, Eyes, Ears, Nose, and Paws
Career: Attorney; former accountant
District Court Judge Seat 3
Hathaway Pendergrass (incumbent)
Age: 39
Party affiliation: Democrat
Political experience: District Court judge since 2020; former member, Orange County Planning Board; board member, ArtsCenter; teen court judge with Volunteers for Youth; former president, Orange County Rape Crisis Center board of directors and the 15B Judicial District Bar; former board member, Orange County Bar and the Carrboro Planning Board
Career: District Court judge, attorney with Epting and Hackney Law Firm
Website: hathawaypendergrass.com
District Court Judge Seat 4
▪ Sherri Murrell
Party affiliation: Democrat
Political experience: District Court judge since 2016; former president, 15B Judicial District Bar Association
Career: Attorney; former assistant public defender
Website: facebook.com/sherriforjudge
District Court Judge Seat 5
▪ Joal Hall Broun (incumbent)
Age: 62
Party affiliation: Democrat
Political experience: Appointed judge in 2021. Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools, 2016, 2017-2021; Carrboro Board of Aldermen, 1999-2011; former board member, Orange Water and Sewer Authority
Career: Former lobbyist compliance director and general counsel, N.C. Department of the Secretary of State; former associate general counsel, N.C. State Board of Elections and Ethics Enforcement
N.C. House District 50
▪ Renee Price (incumbent)
Age: 72
Party affiliation: Democrat
Political experience: Elected to House District 50 in 2022; Orange County Board of Commissioners (vice chair, chair), 2012-2022; board member and Legislative Goals Committee chair, N.C. Association of County Commissioners; member and past president, N.C. Association of Black County Officials; board member, N.C. Black Alliance; member, National Association of Black County Officials; board member, National Organization of Black County Officials; former president, Democratic Women of Orange County
Career: Co-founder, Free Spirit Freedom; professional experience in sustainable agriculture, forestry and development, city and regional planning, and environmental planning and design
Website: reneeprice4nc.com
N.C. House District 56
▪ Allen Buansi (incumbent)
Age: 37
Party affiliation: Democrat
Political experience: Elected to N.C. House District 56 in 2022; Chapel Hill Town Council member, 2017-21
Career: Attorney
Website: allenbuansi.com
▪ Jeffrey Hoagland
Age: 38
Party affiliation: Republican
Political experience: Candidate for Chapel Hill Town Council in 2021 and 2023
Career: CMP engineer, NHanced Semiconductors, Inc.
N.C. Senate District 23
▪ Graig Meyer (incumbent)
Age: 49
Party affiliation: Democrat
Political experience: N.C. Senate since 2022; N.C. House of Representatives, 2013-2020; member, Appropriations on General Government and Information Technology, Pensions and Retirement and Aging, State and Local Government, and Transportation committees; former co-chair, House Democratic Caucus Campaign Committee and Early Childhood Caucus and Life Sciences Caucus; former co-chair, House Democratic Freshman Caucus
Career: Former coordinator, Blue Ribbon Mentor-Advocate program; former director of student equity, Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools; co-founder, The Equity Collaborative LLC
Website: graigmeyer.com
▪ Laura Pichardo
Age: 32
Party affiliation: Republican
Political experience: Ran in 2022 for Republican nomination to U.S. House District 6; Catholic school teacher, Holy Infant Catholic Church, Reidsville; volunteer, Libre Initiative, helping Hispanic residents learn about their right to vote and English as a Second Language (part of the Libre Institute)
Career: Accounts payable analyst, Hanes Brands
This story was originally published December 6, 2023 at 11:08 AM.
