The Saga Begins
In the spring of 2025, Cabarrus County politics took center stage following a series of unprecedented events surrounding the appointment of a new County Commissioner. What began as a seemingly routine vacancy vote quickly evolved into a legal and procedural controversy that raised serious questions about state law, county government process, and the proper boundaries of authority.
April 8, 2025 — The Appointment That Started It All
On Tuesday, April 8, 2025, North Carolina Governor Josh Stein appointed Chris Measmer—then serving as a Cabarrus County Commissioner—to fill the North Carolina State Senate District 34 seat vacated by former Senator Paul Newton.
By Thursday, April 10, Measmer was officially on the North Carolina Senate payroll, making him a state senator—even though he had not yet been sworn in. Despite this, the Cabarrus County Board of Commissioners held a Special Meeting that same morning to fill the “vacant” seat Measmer was leaving behind. By law, a person cannot simultaneously hold two elected offices, which raised the first red flag.
The Board voted to appoint Lamarie Austin‑Stripling to take over Measmer’s position. However, legal experts immediately questioned whether Measmer was still eligible to participate in the meeting and vote.
If Measmer had already assumed the role of state senator, then he no longer had standing to serve as a county commissioner, nor could he be counted toward the quorum required for a legal meeting. State statute specifies that a vacancy does not exist until a resignation or transition is complete, meaning the appointment—and the meeting itself—may have been invalid.
April 14, 2025 — A Lawsuit is Filed
On Monday, April 14, 2025, a lawsuit was filed against Chairman Chris Measmer and Commissioners Laura Lindsey and Larry Pittman, alleging they violated North Carolina law by voting to fill a vacancy that did not yet exist.
The complaint argued that the vote lacked legal precedent, contravened state statutes, and sought immediate relief to block Lamarie Austin‑Stripling from being sworn in until the court could review the appointment’s validity.
April 16, 2025 — Court Temporarily Halts the Appointment
On April 16, a judge granted a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) preventing Austin‑Stripling from taking the oath of office. This ruling effectively froze the appointment process until the matter could be formally heard in court.
April 23, 2025 — Judge Issues Preliminary Injunction
Less than two weeks later, Judge Steve Warren issued a Preliminary Injunction, continuing to block Austin‑Stripling from assuming office. The court order stated that:
“Defendants and their agents, servants, employees, and attorneys are restrained and enjoined from allowing Ms. Austin‑Stripling to take possession of the office of Commissioner on the Cabarrus County Board of Commissioners during the pendency of this litigation.”
This ruling confirmed that the appointment would remain on hold until the court reached a final decision. You can view the full ruling here.
Aftermath: The Vacancy Remained Unfilled
Once it became clear that the appointment was legally contested, the Board of Commissioners faced a deadline set by state statute: 20 days to fill the seat once a vacancy actually exists.
When the Board met for a work session later that month, only Commissioners Laura Blackwell Lindsey and Larry Pittman were present. Commissioners Kenny Wortman and Lynn Shue did not attend, leaving the Board without a quorum and unable to conduct a valid vote.
The deadline passed without an appointment. As required by law, Clerk to the Board Lauren Linker notified Clerk of Superior Court Bill Baggs that the Board had failed to fill the vacancy.
Under North Carolina statute, when a board fails to act within the 20‑day window, the Clerk of Superior Court must step in to appoint a qualified candidate within 10 days. This candidate must meet the same political party, age, and residency requirements as the original officeholder, but does not have to be among the original applicants.
Resolution: The Vacancy is Filled
After weeks of legal uncertainty and public scrutiny, the Cabarrus County Board of Commissioners vacancy was officially filled on May 13, 2025, when Attorney Jeff Jones was appointed to the Board by Clerk of Superior Court Bill Baggs. Jones’ selection followed the Board’s failure to reach a quorum to lawfully appoint a replacement within the 20‑day deadline following Chris Measmer’s transition to the North Carolina Senate.
Jones, a longtime Cabarrus County resident and community advocate, quickly became an active voice on the Board and was subsequently elected Chair of the Cabarrus County Board of Commissioners on June 16, 2025. His appointment brought stability and closure to a contentious process that had drawn widespread attention across the state.
