María T. Palmer immigrated to the United States in 1978 and later settled in Orange County in 1994, where she has raised three children.

María currently works as a community leader and faith leader. She has previously worked as a teacher, principal, college administrator, and multicultural director at North Carolina A&T. 

Maria T. Palmer ran for Orange County commissioner in 2026 but did not win.

Maria Teresa Palmer: a Latina voice seeking a seat on the Orange County Board of Commissioners

María previously served as a member of the Chapel Hill Town Council. She was elected in 2013 and served one term through 2017. She is currently running to represent District 1 on the Orange County Board of Commissioners.

Supports using existing resources and community efforts to support initiatives when funding is limited.

- Supports using existing resources and community efforts to support initiatives when funding is limited.

Economy

Supports the local government providing a wide range of everyday public services that support community functioning.

- Supports the local government providing a wide range of everyday public services that support community functioning.

Public Services

Believes the high cost of housing and county tax policies are negatively effecting residents.

- Believes the high cost of housing and county tax policies are negatively effecting residents.

Housing & Urban Development

Supports the idea that community safety includes protecting residents from discrimination and abuse.

- Supports the idea that community safety includes protecting residents from discrimination and abuse.

Public Safety

As of January 2, 2026, Maria T. Palmer’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Transportation & Infrastructure

Energy & the Environment

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Maria T. Palmer

Candidate website

María T. Palmer immigrated to the United States in 1978 and later settled in Orange County in 1994 , where she has raised three children.

María currently works as a community leader and faith leader. She has previously worked as a teacher, principal, college administrator, and Multicultural Director at North Carolina A&T. 

She has many concerns about the cost of housing and the county tax policies that are effecting residents

- She has many concerns about the cost of housing and the county tax policies that are effecting residents

The Filing Period For 2026 Elections Is Over. Who's Running in ...

- 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.