NEXT NC Action Fund 2021 Endorsements

The NEXT Chapel Hill-Carrboro Action Fund, a local, community-based 501(c)(4) focused on affordable housing, transportation alternatives, and economic development, has made the following endorsements in Chapel Hill and Carrboro for the 2021 municipal elections.

Chapel Hill Mayor—Pam Hemminger

Chapel Hill Town Council—Camille Berry, Paris Miller-Foushee, Karen Stegman

Carrboro Mayor—Damon Seils

Carrboro Town Council—Barbara Foushee, Danny Nowell

Our endorsements were based on the answers given at candidate forums, on candidate questionnaires, and the voting records of incumbents running for re-election. The NEXT Chapel Hill-Carrboro Action Fund evaluated the candidates on their relevant experience, and depth of knowledge of critical issues facing our community. NEXT believes that growth should support affordable housing that is inclusive of both renting and homeownership, multi-modal transportation infrastructure, climate responses that reduce the carbon footprint of our towns, and a diverse and equitable community.

While NEXT did not endorse in the race for Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools Board of Education, we appreciated the answers of three candidates. In particular, we liked George Griffin’s proposal for zero down payment mortgage programs for CHCCS teachers, Riza Jenkins’s suggestion that CHCCS partner with Chapel Hill Transit on providing bus service, and Mike Sharp’s support for a greenway that connects Seawell Elementary, Smith Middle, and Chapel Hill High School with area neighborhoods.

We have posted our candidate questionnaires here. For more information, please contact us or take our community survey.