Our choices in Democratic primaries for Wake County commissioner

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Endorsements 2022

The Editorial Board’s recommendations for the primary elections on Tuesday, May 17, 2022.

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There are two Democratic primary elections in the 2022 Wake County Board of Commissioners race: District 1, which represents eastern Wake County, and District 3, representing the southwest part of the county. Despite the candidate having to live in the district they represent, all Wake County Democrats and unaffiliated voters will be able to vote in both races.

District 1

District 1 is losing Sig Hutchinson, the chair of the county commissioners, who has served on the board since 2014. Hutchinson has already endorsed Donald Mial to be his replacement and held fundraising events for the candidate.

Mial, 69, is a practical choice. He’s currently secretary and vice president of the Wake County Board of Adjustment, and has previously served on the Wake County Board of Elections and N.C. Board of Victim Compensation Commission. He has received the highest civilian honor in North Carolina, the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, for his years working in the Department of Public Safety. He sees the biggest issues facing Wake County as education, safety and health and human services, and wants to see growth alongside maintenance of the current county facilities.

Running against him is Shaun Pollenz, a 39-year-old lawyer and the son of a Wake County teacher. Pollenz brings the perspective of young people in the county, and mentioned that he would be the only non-homeowner on the board if elected. He is also a gay man who recently spoke out against attacks on LGBTQ literature in Wake County Schools, and wants to focus on the county’s land-use plan and improving public transportation options.

Mial already has years of experience as a public servant, as well as support from current and former commissioners. We endorse Donald Mial for District 1, but would encourage Pollenz to keep looking for ways to be involved in local politics.

District 3

In District 3, three women are running to replace Maria Cervania as she runs for the state House.

Lisa Mead, 43, a former middle school teacher in Durham and now a consultant to non-profit organizations, is the parent of a school-aged child and is active in the Wake County PTA Council. She wants to represent the parents of Wake County schoolchildren, and has received the “progressive candidate” seal from the North Carolina Democrats Progressive Caucus.

Cindy Sinkez, 58, is a Cary resident who worked at a Raleigh law firm as an administrative assistant before retiring to take care of her grandchild. She has been a PTA president and a volunteer in the Democratic Party. She told the Editorial Board the issues that matter most to her are transportation and housing, as well as the state of the county’s emergency services.

Finally, Cheryl Stallings, 56, is a psychologist and former school counselor who has served on the Apex Town Council since 2019. She sees the commission as on the right track with affordable housing, programming at Wake Technical Community College, and early childhood education. As a psychiatrist, she sees the mental health crisis firsthand, and wishes to see the county work to expand the affordability and accessibility of mental health care.

Each woman makes a strong case for a seat on the board , and all have experience in public service. Stallings, however, is the only one who has served this constituency as an elected official. We recommend Cheryl Stallings for District 3.

This story was originally published May 2, 2022 at 4:30 AM.