Harold Cogdell Jr. (left), Jennifer Roberts and Dan Murrey posed after filling for re-election as at-large county commissioners Monday. (SOURCE: Jennifer Roberts Campaign 2010)
Mecklenburg County Commission chair Jennifer Roberts and two fellow at-large commissioners – Dan Murrey and Harold Cogdell Jr. – filed papers Monday to seek re-election in November. The trio, all Democrats, appeared together at Mecklenburg Board of Elections Monday afternoon.
Monday was the first day of filing for state legislative and county offices. The filing period continues through Feb. 26.
The three incumbent at-large commissioners could face a challenge this fall from Republicans. On Monday, Hunterville commissioner Charles Jeter became the first Republican to file. Both former county Sheriff Jim Pendergraph and former commissioner Dan Ramirez also have announced plans to run for at-large seats.
The full county commission, including district representatives and the three at-large seats, will be up for grabs on Nov. 2.
Henk Jonker, campaign manager for Ms. Roberts, said in an email to her supporters Monday night: “I am glad to see that all three at-large commissioners are filing together in the spirit of collaboration and teamwork. They have done a magnificent job in very difficult times, balancing the tremendous needs and strains on the county resources with a drop in revenues. We need their proven leadership to continue to guide our community through rough waters, for the benefit of all the citizens of Mecklenburg County.”
“In addition, the solid working relationship that Roberts has forged with the Mayor’s office, with the greater Charlotte region, and with the State and Federal Governments has been very valuable to us all,” he said.
Ms. Roberts is in her third term on the commission. She is has worked as a teacher, college professor and international banker at the former Wachovia Corp. She was executive director of the Charlotte World Affairs Council 1997 to 2002. A graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, she also has master’s degrees in International Affairs from the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies in Washington, DC, and a in European History from the University of Toronto.
Mr. Murrey was elected for the first time in 2008. He is a Davidson College graduate and an orthopaedic and spinal surgeon. He holds a Doctor of Medicine degree from Harvard Medical School and a Master of Public Policy from Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University. He was the District 4 Chairman of the 2007 Mecklenburg County Bond Campaign, a member of the 2006 Mecklenburg County School Building Solutions Committee, and a member of the 2007 Mecklenburg County Education Budget Advisory Committee.
Mr. Cogdell, the commission vice chair, is a former Charlotte city councilor and a former assistant district attorney in Mecklenburg County. He has a bachelor’s degree in business from UNC-Greensboro and a law degree from North Carolina Central University. He moved to Charlotte in 1991.
OTHER INCUMBENTS FILE
Two other current commissioners on Tuesday filed for re-election in their districts: Vilma Leake in District 2 (west county) and Bill James in District 6 (southeast county).
All nine incumbent commissioners, including District 1 commissioner Karen Bentley, whose district includes north Mecklenburg, have said they plan to run again.
RELATED LINKS
Meckboe.org, the Mecklenburg County Board of Elections website.
