Karen Stegman is from Orange County, North Carolina. She attended public schools in Chapel Hill. She has a bachelor’s degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She lives with her children in Orange County.

Karen Stegman is originally from Chapel Hill. She earned a bachelor’s degree in comparative literature from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a master's degree in education from Boston University. She lives with her wife, Alyson, and their 2 children in Carrboro.

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Karen previously worked as a director for innovation partnerships at RTI International, a business consultancy. She previously worked as a director at JSI, chief growth officer at IntraHealth International, a program manager at the Chapel Hill Training Outreach Project, and a program director for the Literacy Council of Wake County.

Karen Stegman’s campaign for Orange County Commissioner is her first entry into county politics. She previously served on the Chapel Hill Town Council for eight years.

Phyllis Portie-Ascott wins Democratic primary for BOCC District 2 ...

Karen previously served as a member of the Chapel Hill Town Council. She served 2 terms from 2017 to 2025.

Plans to implement equitable property tax valuations.

Prioritizes reducing homeowners' property taxes through growing commercial tax base.

- Plans to implement equitable property tax valuations.
- Prioritizes reducing homeowners' property taxes through growing commercial tax base.

Economy

Supports the county's two public school districts.

- Supports the county's two public school districts.

Public Services

As a town council member, funded over 1,400 new housing units and allocated town-owned land for affordable housing.

As a Town Commissioner, revised zoning and other town ordinances to encourage the development of more missing middle housing and transit-oriented development.

As a town commissioner, revised zoning and other town ordinances to encourage the development of more medium-density housing, such as duplexes, fourplexes, and small apartment buildings, and transit-oriented development.

Supports affordable housing, and as town councillor "passed two bonds totaling $25 million to support affordable housing initiatives."

- As a town council member, funded over 1,400 new housing units and allocated town-owned land for affordable housing.
- As a town commissioner, revised zoning and other town ordinances to encourage the development of more medium-density housing, such as duplexes, fourplexes, and small apartment buildings, and transit-oriented development.
- Supports affordable housing, and as town councillor "passed two bonds totaling $25 million to support affordable housing initiatives."

Housing & Urban Development

Established the Reimagining Community Safety Task Force to advise on policing approaches aimed at dismantling systemic racism and enhancing overall safety.

Established the Reimagining Community Safety Task Force to enhance safety and address systemic racism in policing.

As a County Commissioner, created a criminal justice debt fund to alleviate court fee burdens for justice-involved community members.

As a town councillor, created a criminal justice debt fund to alleviate court fee burdens.

- Established the Reimagining Community Safety Task Force to enhance safety and address systemic racism in policing.
- As a town councillor, created a criminal justice debt fund to alleviate court fee burdens.

Public Safety

As a Town Council member, invested in infrastructure like the Rosemary Street parking deck and protected downtown bike lanes to encourage commercial growth.

As a town councillor, supported the Rosemary Street parking deck and protected downtown bike lanes.

As a town councillor, supported a new bus rapid transit system and expanded greenway network.

- As a town councillor, supported the Rosemary Street parking deck and protected downtown bike lanes.
- As a town councillor, supported a new bus rapid transit system and expanded greenway network.

Transportation & Infrastructure

Supports the transition to a community powered entirely by renewable energy by 2050.

- Supports the transition to a community powered entirely by renewable energy by 2050.

Energy & the Environment

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As a Town Commissioner, revised zoning and other town ordinances to encourage the development of more medium-density housing, such as duplexes, fourplexes, and small apartment buildings, and transit-oriented development.

- As a town council member, funded over 1,400 new housing units and allocated town-owned land for affordable housing.
- As a Town Commissioner, revised zoning and other town ordinances to encourage the development of more medium-density housing, such as duplexes, fourplexes, and small apartment buildings, and transit-oriented development.
- Supports affordable housing, and as town councillor "passed two bonds totaling $25 million to support affordable housing initiatives."

EXCLUSIVE: Karen Stegman Announces Campaign for Orange ...

As of January 2, 2026, Karen Stegman’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.