Arthur Griffin, Jr. is from Charlotte, North Carolina. He has a bachelor 27s degree in liberal studies from the University of the State of New York. He is married to Alicia Elston Griffin. They have two adult children and three grandchildren. He is a member of Memorial Presbyterian Church.

Arthur Griffin | Board of County Commissioners

Arthur Griffin, Jr. has a bachelor 's degree in liberal studies from the University of Albany. He is married with two children. He is a member of Memorial Presbyterian Church.

Arthur is retired. He previously worked as a senior vice president at McGraw-Hill Education, where he led a national business development team. Before that, he worked as a litigation paralegal at Legal Services of Southern Piedmont and at the private law firm of Cox, Gage and Sasser. He also served as an infantry platoon leader in the United States Army. 

Arthur Griffin Jr. - Ballotpedia

Arthur is retired. He previously worked as a senior vice president at McGraw-Hill Education, where he led a national business development team. Before that, he worked as a litigation paralegal at Legal Services of Southern Piedmont and at the private law firm of Cox, Gage, and Sasser. He also served as an infantry platoon leader in the United States Army. 

Arthur is currently an at-large member of the Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners. He was first elected in 2022 and re-elected in 2024. Before serving on the county commission, Arthur served 17 years on the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education.

Longtime incumbent Pat Cotham loses Mecklenburg County ...

Lucia Zapata Griffith, Chris Paterson appointed, and Arthur Griffin ...

Supports inclusive economic growth through workforce programs and criminal justice reform.

Supports "inclusive economic growth" through workforce programs and criminal justice reform.

Thinks that when economic development is implemented "effectively and equitably, it works to retain and grow jobs and investments."

- Supports "inclusive economic growth" through workforce programs and criminal justice reform.
- Thinks that when economic development is implemented "effectively and equitably, it works to retain and grow jobs and investments."

Economy

Believes neighborhoods should have equitable access to county recreational and leisure assets.

Supports the development of attractive recreational, cultural, social, and leisure opportunities.

Supports the development of "attractive recreational, cultural, social, and leisure opportunities."

Believes parks, greenways and open spaces should "enhance the physical, mental, and spiritual quality of life for our residents."

- Believes neighborhoods should have equitable access to county recreational and leisure assets.
- Supports the development of "attractive recreational, cultural, social, and leisure opportunities."
- Believes parks, greenways and open spaces should "enhance the physical, mental, and spiritual quality of life for our residents."

Public Services

Believes stable affordable housing is crucial to addressing social issues like poverty and homelessness.

Believes that stable, affordable housing is crucial to addressing social issues such as poverty and homelessness.

- Believes that stable, affordable housing is crucial to addressing social issues such as poverty and homelessness.

Housing & Urban Development

As of January 2, 2026, Arthur Griffin, Jr.’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Public Safety

Believes healthy environments with clean water and air should not depend on one's zip code.

Thinks healthy environments with clean water and air "should not depend on one's zip code."

- Thinks healthy environments with clean water and air "should not depend on one's zip code."

Transportation & Infrastructure

Energy & the Environment

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Arthur Griffin, Jr.

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Alejandra Gracias

Buket Urgen

Ethics & Conduct

Felicia is from Mobile, Alabama. She attended Alabama State University. She has a bachelor’s degree in social work from Alabama State University. She lives with her husband in the Africatown neighborhood. She attends St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Parish.

Felicia is from Mobile, Alabama. She has a bachelor’s degree in social work from Alabama State University. She lives with her husband, William. She attends St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Parish.

Linkedin

Felicia currently works as a talent acquisition consultant at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. She previously worked as a talent acquisition specialist for the City of Charlotte, as a recruitment specialist at Transit Management of Charlotte, and as a human resource support clerk at Transit Management of Charlotte.

Felicia R. Thompkins's campaign for Mecklenburg County Commissioner At-Large is her first entry into politics.

As of January 2, 2026, Felicia R. Thompkins’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Supports expanding access to healthcare and strengthening care coordination in mental health services.

Supports ensuring students have the necessary support and staffing to succeed, with a focus on stronger coordination with Youth and Family services.

Supports expanding resources and pathways for foster youth to thrive into adulthood.

Supports protecting the dignity of seniors, promoting aging-in-place, and advocating for tax choices that help seniors remain in their homes.

- Supports expanding access to healthcare and strengthening care coordination in mental health services.
- Supports ensuring students have the necessary support and staffing to succeed, with a focus on stronger coordination with Youth and Family services.
- Supports expanding resources and pathways for foster youth to thrive into adulthood.
- Supports protecting the dignity of seniors, promoting aging-in-place, and advocating for tax choices that help seniors remain in their homes.

Plans to work with residents, community leaders, and partners on prevention and safety strategies.

Supports policies that improve public safety outcomes and strengthen public confidence in institutions.

- Plans to work with residents, community leaders, and partners on prevention and safety strategies.
- Supports policies that improve public safety outcomes and strengthen public confidence in institutions.

Supports infrastructure and planning improvements to make transportation safer and more reliable.

Wants to improve transit connections between residents and jobs and essential services.

- Supports infrastructure and planning improvements to make transportation safer and more reliable.
- Wants to improve transit connections between residents and jobs and essential services.

Felicia R. Thompkins

Heather is a bus driver. She works for a city public transportation service.

Bus driver faces charges after Operation Charlotte's Web

Heather is a bus driver for the Charlotte-Mecklenburg School system.

As of January 2, 2026, Heather Morrow’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Priortizes finding the "moneyand missing links" to create more affordable housing.

- Priortizes finding the "moneyand missing links" to create more affordable housing.

Central Piedmont Community Lifeline project facing some ...

For Candidate Heather Morrow on Issue public-safety:  
Supports less emphasis on deadly force training, advocating for conflict resolution, police accountability, and demilitarization of the police force.

Supports "less emphasis on deadly force training, and more focus on conflict resolution."

Thinks there needs to be a de-escalation and "a demilitarization of the police force."

- Supports "less emphasis on deadly force training, and more focus on conflict resolution."
- Thinks there needs to be a de-escalation and "a demilitarization of the police force."

Plans to enact "compassionate security measures to keep transit safe and accessible for all."

- Plans to enact "compassionate security measures to keep transit safe and accessible for all."

Heather Morrow

Leigh Altman received a bachelor's degree in the social sciences from the New College of Florida and a law degree from the Florida State College of Law. She is married.

Leigh is an at-large member of the Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners. They previously served as an Assistant Attorney General for the State of Georgia, worked as a guardian ad litem for seniors in Mecklenburg County, and was a staff attorney at Charlotte’s Council for Children’s Rights.

Leigh Altman - Ballotpedia

Leigh previously served as an Assistant Attorney General for the State of Georgia for six years, worked as a guardian ad litem for seniors in Mecklenburg County, and was a staff attorney at Charlotte’s Council for Children’s Rights.

Leigh Altman is currently an at-large member of the Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners. She was first elected in 2020 and has served two terms. She is vice chair of the County Commission.

Leigh is currently an at-large member of the Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners. She was first elected in 2020 and has served two terms. She is vice chair of the County Commission.

- Supports "strong" economic development.

Supports better funding for parks and greenways.

Supports more funding for parks and greenways.

Supports access to high-quality public schools.

Supports access to "high-quality" public schools.

- Wants improved public transportation.
- Supports more funding for parks and greenways.
- Supports access to "high-quality" public schools.

As of January 2, 2026, Leigh Altman’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Opposes the actions of the Immigration and Custom's Enforcement Agency.

- Opposes the actions of the Immigration and Custom's Enforcement Agency.

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Leigh Altman

Candidate website

Leslie Allen has experience in the service industry and the gig economy.

Believes if a proposal doesn't "clearly improve people's lives or reduce future strain, we should ask why we're paying for it."

Thinks housing instability, untreated health needs, and lack of access to care drive higher costs.

Wants to implement targeted county investments to help people "stay stable and avoid emergencies."

Promises "responsible funding for schools, community colleges, and job training."

- Believes if a proposal doesn't "clearly improve people's lives or reduce future strain, we should ask why we're paying for it."
- Thinks housing instability, untreated health needs, and lack of access to care drive higher costs.
- Wants to implement targeted county investments to help people "stay stable and avoid emergencies."
- Promises "responsible funding for schools, community colleges, and job training."

As of January 2, 2026, Leslie Allen’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Believes public safety spending should be transparent, coordinated with mental health and prevention services, and "focused on outcomes — not automatic increases."

- Believes public safety spending should be transparent, coordinated with mental health and prevention services, and "focused on outcomes — not automatic increases."

Leslie Allen

Nichel Dunlap County Commissioner - Aboutme 

Nichel Dunlap is originally from Charlotte, North Carolina. She earned an associate’s degree in criminal justice and corrections from Central Piedmont Community College and studied communications at Queens University of Charlotte. Nichel volunteers in organized initiatives such as the Cherry Community Connection Cookout.

Nichel currently works as the chief executive officer of Eye of A Dove, Inc., a nonprofit organization in Charlotte. She previously worked as a paratransit operator for the City of Charlotte, a customer service representative for Harris Teeter, a logistics specialist for UPS, and a data entry clerk for First Union National Bank. She also served as a squad leader in the U.S. Army Reserve.

Nichel Dunlap - Ballotpedia

Nichel's campaign for Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners At-Large is her first run for public office.

For Candidate Nichel Dunlap on Issue economy:  
Believes that the wages missing from city workers' paychecks are a budget issue that needs to be addressed.

Supports stronger worker protections and labor rights.

Prioritizes workforce development to connect residents with good-paying jobs.

Believes economic opportunity should be equitable and accessible.

- Supports stronger worker protections and labor rights.
- Prioritizes workforce development to connect residents with good-paying jobs.
- Believes economic opportunity should be equitable and accessible.

Believes county government should deliver services that improve daily life for all residents.

Values community-building initiatives and grassroots engagement.

- Believes county government should deliver services that improve daily life for all residents.
- Values community-building initiatives and grassroots engagement.

Supports linking housing policy with transportation and workforce access.

Focuses on improving quality of life in underserved neighborhoods.

- Supports linking housing policy with transportation and workforce access.
- Focuses on improving quality of life in underserved neighborhoods.

Strong advocate for transit and worker safety.

- Strong advocate for transit and worker safety.

Supports expanding and modernizing public transit.

Advocates for accountable use of federal and state infrastructure funding.

- Supports expanding and modernizing public transit.
- Advocates for accountable use of federal and state infrastructure funding.

As of January 2, 2026, Nichel Dunlap’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Nichel Dunlap

Nichel currently works as the Chief Executive Officer of Eye of A Dove, Inc., a nonprofit organization in Charlotte. She previously worked as a paratransit operator for the City of Charlotte, a customer service representative for Harris Teeter, a logistics specialist for UPS, and a data entry clerk for First Union National Bank. She also served as a squad leader in the U.S. Army Reserve.

Olivia Scott obtained a bachelor's degree in English language and literature from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte

Olivia is a social media adviser. She works at the Mecklenburg County Register of Deeds. She previously worked as director in training at Beginning Years Daycare.

Olivia Scott - Ballotpedia

Olivia has worked as a social media adviser for the Mecklenburg County Register of Deeds for ten years. She previously worked as a training director at Beginning Years Daycare.

Olivia Scott previously ran for the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Board of Education in 2019, making her second run for the board. She also ran for election to the Charlotte City Council to represent District 4 in 2023 but lost in the Democratic primary.

2019 Election Voter Guide: CMS Board Of Education | WFAE 90.7 ...

Olivia previously ran for the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Board of Education in 2017 and 2019. She also ran for the Charlotte City Council in 2023 to represent District 4 but lost in the Democratic primary.

As of January 2, 2026, Olivia Scott did not have a website or any information online.

Olivia Scott

Olivia Scott previously ran for the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Board of Education in 2017 and 2019. She also ran for the Charlotte City Council in 2023 to represent District 4 but lost in the Democratic primary.

As of January 2, 2026, Olivia Scott’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Sharif R. Hannan received a bachelor's degree in political science from James Madison University and a law degree and a master's in law degree in taxation from the University of Miami School of Law. He is married.

Sharif is a staff attorney at Walden Macht & Haran LLP. He previously worked as a special investigations counsel at Morgan Stanley, an insider threat investigations manager at Meta, and as an assistant district attorney in the Bronx Count District Attorney Office.



Sharif R. Hannan's campaign for Board of Commissioners At-Large is his first entry into politics.

Candidate List

Sharif's campaign for County Commissioner At-Large in Mecklenburg County. North Carolina is his first entry into politics.

Thinks public-private partnerships should "serve the public interest first."

Believes in questioning large expenditures, ensuring they" serve community needs, and holding officials accountable for fiscal responsibility."

Promises to fight for "open meetings, accessible data, clear communication, and meaningful public input on all major decisions" affecting constituent tax dollars.

Wants to cancel all government contracts with Israel.

- Thinks public-private partnerships should "serve the public interest first."
- Believes in questioning large expenditures, ensuring they" serve community needs, and holding officials accountable for fiscal responsibility."
- Promises to fight for "open meetings, accessible data, clear communication, and meaningful public input on all major decisions" affecting constituent tax dollars.
- Wants to cancel all government contracts with Israel.

As of January 2, 2026, Sharif R. Hannan’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Supports "smart growth policies, affordable housing initiatives, and development that benefits existing communities—not just outside investors."

- Supports "smart growth policies, affordable housing initiatives, and development that benefits existing communities—not just outside investors."

Opposes the passage of a 120 million dollar police training facility on a local community college campus.

- Opposes the passage of a 120 million dollar police training facility on a local community college campus.

Wants to focus on improving the bus system.

- Wants to focus on improving the bus system.

Sharif R. Hannan

Sharif has been a white-collar investigations attorney for three years and is a former fraud and tax crimes prosecutor.



Here's who's running for the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Board ...

The Political Beat Candidate Guide: CMS District 6 – WSOC TV

Toni Emehel has a bachelor's degree in criminal justice from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and a master's degree in human service counseling from Liberty University. She is a mother.

Toni is retired. She previously worked as a strategic planning consultant at Next Level Plus for 30 years.

Toni Emehel previously ran for the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Board of Education to represent District 6 in 2025 but did not win.

Toni Emehel - Ballotpedia

Toni ran for the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Board of Education in 2025 to represent District 6 but lost.

As of January 2, 2026, Toni Emehel’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Thinks "bold leadership and political will are required to hold local, state, and national leaders accountable for effectively addressing childhood poverty and housing insecurities faced by working-class residents across our nation."

- Thinks "bold leadership and political will are required to hold local, state, and national leaders accountable for effectively addressing childhood poverty and housing insecurities faced by working-class residents across our nation."

Promises to to evaluate existing policies and practices to "close gaps" in health and safety outcomes across education, housing, and healthcare sectors.

- Promises to to evaluate existing policies and practices to "close gaps" in health and safety outcomes across education, housing, and healthcare sectors.

Toni Emehel

Toni Emehel has a bachelor's degree in criminal justice from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and a master's degree in human service counseling with an executive leadership focus from Liberty University. She volunteers with the Keep Charlotte Beautiful Adopt a Street program and with Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools.

Toni currently works as a strategic planning consultant at Next Level Plus. 

Yvette Townsend-Ingram: Arts, science, and history are my preferred ways to connect with my community, particularly the Black history of Charlotte. As a former CMS educator, as well as a resident of Mecklenburg, I have seen the talents and unforgettable history through artwork that has been supported by the ASC

Yvette Townsend-Ingram, At Large

Yvette Townsend-Ingram earned a bachelor's degree in business administration from West Virginia State University and a master's in business administration from Strayer University, and a doctorate in business administration from Walden University. She is active in the Friendship Missionary Baptist Church.



Yvette has experience as an educator, writer, and analyst, and helped develop funding programs for Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

Yvette Townsend-Ingram - Ballotpedia

Yvette has served as a County Commissioner in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, since 2024. She lost the 2022 election for County Commissioner in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina.

Believes small businesses need "more options, more help."

- Supports the United Autoworkers Union.
- Believes small businesses need "more options, more help."

Plans to promote art and culture programs to enhance community understanding, reduce violence, and improve educational outcomes in collaboration with local schools.

Plans to promote art and culture programs.

- Plans to promote art and culture programs.

As of January 2, 2026, Yvette Townsend-Ingram did not have a website or any information online.

Yvette Townsend-Ingram

Yvette Townsend-Ingram earned a bachelor's degree from West Virginia State University and a master's in business from Strayer University. She is active in the Friendship Missionary Baptist Church.



As of January 2, 2026, Yvette Townsend-Ingram’s website did not contain information on this issue.

- County Commissioners create and pass laws at the county-level. These laws show up in very tangible ways, such as determining how much you pay property and sales tax rates, public transportation, and maintaining infrastructure.
- County Commissioners are responsible for preparing and passing the county budget. The budget determines how much funding goes to various public services, such as public transportation, law enforcement, repairing roads, and maintaining infrastructure.
- County Commissioners oversee the administrative duties of your county’s government to ensure the safety, comfort, and well-being of county residents.
- County Commissioners can create, change, or abolish offices, positions, departments that are not required by law. 
- County Commissioners are elected to 4-year terms, with no term limits. Typically, you only vote for the County Commissioner that represents your county commission district.

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