About This Questionnaire
Thank you to each candidate for participating in the Inform Cabarrus 2026 Cabarrus County Commissioners General Election Questionnaire. We appreciate their willingness to serve and their commitment to the citizens of Cabarrus County. These responses are intended to help voters better understand each candidate’s priorities, values, and vision for our community’s future.
All answers are published exactly as they were submitted, without editing for content, grammar, or spelling, to ensure full transparency. Questions left unanswered are marked “no answer submitted,” and candidates who did not participate are noted as “no response received.”
1. Cabarrus County is growing quickly. As a commissioner, do you favor providing the necessary infrastructure to support that growth?
Yes. Expansion of our infrastructure, especially water & sewer, is a must. People will move here regardless of whether we expand our infrastructure and services or not, and the recent announcement of the expansion of the Muddy Creek Wastewater Treatment plant, as well as the ongoing expansion at the Rocky River facility, is a monumental step towards planning for that growth.
The Charlotte metro is one of the fastest growing metros in the country, and growth has only accelerated since the pandemic. Planning for that growth, which includes water and sewer, roads and other forms of transportation, and building/maintaining our schools, is a must if we want to be both welcoming to the newcomers, and minimize this disruption to current residents.
2. At current tax rates, most residences don’t pay enough property tax to support the public services provided for them by the county and cities (schools, law enforcement, utilities, fire protection, etc.). Property taxes would be much higher if we didn’t have business property taxes to make up the difference. Considering that businesses require the county to spend much less tax money than residences, what is your position on supporting business recruitment to bring new businesses to our county and to encourage local businesses to expand?
It is imperative that we continue to attract and retain businesses to our county that pay a fair wage, treat their employees well, and invest in the community. Using incentives to attract those kinds of businesses can be a good tool for our county to use. However, we must be judicious with that process. The Board, in partnership with the Economic Development Committee, the Chamber of Commerce, and relevant municipalities, should continue to work together to offer attractive, yet reasonable, incentives to certain types of businesses, while including protections (such as clawbacks or performance milestones).
Our county is attractive to potential businesses for a number of reasons, but we are not the only county competing for these relocations or new facilities. Therefore, we must present ourselves as business-friendly, while being intentional and prudent about what we offer to potential businesses. Thus, when implemented and overseen correctly, we can lower the tax burden on families and small businesses, as well as create good, fair-paying jobs, by recruiting high-quality corporations that fit the character of Cabarrus County.
3. The Water and Sewer Authority of Cabarrus County is responsible for operating our wastewater treatment plant on Rocky River. Currently, the plant is near capacity and requires several expansion projects to handle our continuing residential growth. Do you see helping expand sewer treatment capacity as part of your role as commissioner?
The role of a County Commissioner includes long term land use planning and infrastructure investment, and both of those are integral to the effectiveness and sustainability of WSACC. It is vital that the Board of Commissioners work closely with the WSACC to proactively coordinate infrastructure spending, so as to not be reactive (which can often lead to costly development and budget shortfalls).
Thankfully, expansion projects are underway and are expected to be completed in the next few years. However, if projected growth trends are accurate, then further capacity could be needed for the next generation. Additionally, commissioners can leverage their relationships with state and federal representatives to advocate for infrastructure grants, such as ARPA or state environmental funds, which directly reduce the debt burden on local residents.
4. County commissioners don’t run schools directly, but their decisions greatly affect them. How would you support strong public schools?
I am a fervent supporter of public education. I am the product of NC public schools, and I have a son in CCS right now, so I have seen first hand the benefits of education through our public schools.
Our kids deserve the best, and our teachers deserve every resource they need to succeed. On the Board, I won’t just be a vote; I will be their biggest cheerleader and a partner committed to swift, sensible budget agreements.
Based on events from the most recent budget session, it’s clear that collaborative efforts need to be made, and I would make that one of my top priorities during my first year on the Board.
Our state legislature has not made our public schools a priority, which means that the burden to fully fund and support our schools has fallen on the counties. Ideally, the state would do their part, but in absence of that support, I do believe that the county is obligated to continue providing for our teachers, and make CCS the envy of the state.
5. How important do you feel public services, such as parks and libraries, are to the quality of life in Cabarrus County?
Our libraries, public parks, and similar public services are vitally important to enhancing the quality of life in our county. Those kinds of services, along with public schools, are often one of the top reasons listed for why people love living here. I believe they are especially important now, as they are often one of the few places where people can go without the expectation of spending money. They also serve as a gathering place for everyone, no matter your age or income level.
Other than churches, there are very few places where you get the “social cohesion” that libraries and parks provide. They enhance the economic durability of a county, as libraries provide high-speed internet, resume workshops, and digital literacy training. Also, a county with great amenities can attract a high-quality workforce, as companies incorporate these “quality of life” attractions into their calculus of where to relocate or open a new facility.
6. Please list what, if elected, will be your top three priorities and how they affect the Cabarrus County citizens.
Fair and functioning government: our county deserves a local government that we should be proud of, not embarrassed by. Cabarrus has too much going for it to be led by a Board that is this divisive and combative, and we desperately need leadership that will take pride in their duty, and serve in the best interests of all of the 245,000 citizens that live here. In many ways, the Board is the face of our local government, and I would take intense pride in helping determine who we are, and what direction we want to go as a county.
Expand and diversify the county’s housing stock: North Carolina is one of the fastest growing states in the country, and the major metropolitan areas are seeing a majority of that growth. Per the NC Chamber, if Cabarrus County stays on its projected growth through 2029, we will be short almost 16,000 homes. The Board of Commissioners, working in lockstep with the municipalities, need to be focused on building a diverse set of housing that will meet the needs of our community. Whether it’s townhomes or duplexes that are ideal for a first-time homebuyer, or senior housing for those retirees that want to downsize, our county needs options for every type of buyer. Doing this should also stabilize property values, which would then mean less drastic increases in the revaluations that occur every four years.
Sustainable growth: we cannot outrun the growth issue. People are moving here regardless of whether we plan for them or not. Therefore, our county leadership must be strategic and creative in building sustainable infrastructure that will both meet the needs of the current residents, as well as plan for the next generation. One example would be to increase our public transportation options and build housing near where people work (such as downtown and North Concord); this would be a superb way to decrease traffic and strain on our roads.
7. In recent years, it has become evident that some commissioners have been influenced by partisan leadership to take actions that benefit party leaders rather than the majority of Cabarrus County citizens. Please explain how you will balance political pressure versus what is best for the citizens.
I am running for County Commissioner because I love this county and believe that we deserve leadership who will put the interests of all of its residents, not a certain few, at the front and center of every decision. We have seen firsthand that chaos and lawsuits are the results of partisan politics.
I am not running to promote the agenda of any party or clique, or promote my brand to the state leaders. I am seeking to serve all residents of Cabarrus County so that the next generation inherits a community as vibrant and welcoming as the one I joined nearly twenty years ago. Furthermore, when it comes to political pressure regarding a certain issue, I will always side with the long-term fiscal health and quality of life of our residents.
8. Many residents of our county feel strongly about retaining their rural and agricultural identity. How would you balance the desire to retain open land with the increasing need for housing, schools, roads, and businesses as our population grows?
Farming and agriculture is embedded into the fabric of Cabarrus’ identity; it’s part of the charm that makes our county so special. However, due to our proximity to Charlotte and the overall attractiveness of our region, population growth is inevitable. That is why it is important that the next generation of leaders understand the challenges ahead, and guide with a steady hand versus pretending it’s not going to happen.
One way to allow development without pushing further into rural areas is to focus on Infill Development, which involves incentivizing builders to use vacant or underused lots within existing urban footprints. This would require the Board to work collaboratively with municipalities, such as Concord, to ensure that the needs of the community are being met. Doing this would encourage “Live-Work-Play” districts where businesses, housing, and transit are clustered, which would reduce the need for expansive (and expensive) new road networks.
With the right approach and proper collaboration, we can continue to build a thriving local economy and high-quality schools without turning every green field into a subdivision.
9. Please list what activities of civic engagement you have participated in that helped develop and inform your interest in serving the citizens of Cabarrus County through elected office. Things such as: What organizations are you a participating member of; what non-profit organizations have you contributed to or volunteered for; and any other activities that you feel have helped prepare you for elected office?
I have been an active member at St. John’s Baptist Church in Charlotte for more than 15 years, serving two terms as a Deacon and Youth Sunday School teacher. My father was a Baptist minister, so I have always attended church, but being involved in church as an adult has solidified two of my core beliefs: that we are a part of something bigger than ourselves, and that it takes a community working together to ensure that individuals can thrive.
I recognize the clear distinction between church and state, but these two core values are the foundation upon which I will lead.
I have volunteered with the Hickory Ridge High School Blue Regiment Marching Band since 2023, as my son has played trumpet for them since his Freshman year. The marching band is such a wonderful organization, and the life lessons those students are learning through collaboration and competition are invaluable.
Lastly, I have also been active with the Cabarrus Democrats since 2024, serving as a Vice Chair for my precinct, and working closely with Dr. Erin Banks on her successful campaign for Harrisburg Town Council in 2025.
10. If elected, are you willing to work with members of political parties other than your own to serve the needs of the citizens of Cabarrus County?
Absolutely. I believe the citizens of Cabarrus County are exhausted by the divisive rhetoric that dominates our headlines. When it comes to local government, most people don’t care about partisan bickering; they care about whether their taxes are being spent wisely, whether our schools are funded, and whether our infrastructure can keep up with our growth.
I grew up in a very conservative area, and I understand the values and perspectives of my neighbors across the political spectrum. I know these folks: they are my friends, my family, and my fellow citizens, and I know that we almost always share the same goals for our community, even if we occasionally disagree on the specific road map to get there.
I am also a firm believer that diverse perspectives lead to better decisions. When there are different viewpoints at the table, it can be easier to identify blind spots and build more resilient solutions. I am committed to working with anyone, regardless of party affiliation, who is willing to do the work and bring real solutions to our county’s government. We owe it to our residents to govern fairly, efficiently, and transparently.
