County Commissioner Candidate Q&A
Chatham County Commissioner District 1
Karen Howard (D)
Chatham County Commissioner, District 1 (Incumbent)
Q1: Who are you?
I am a former attorney and current Chair of the Chatham County Board of Commissioners. My family and I have lived in Northeastern Chatham for 13 years. I serve on several local and state boards including the Chatham Arts Council, the Chatham County Partnership for Children, the Governor’s Crime Commission and the Durham Chapel Hill Carrboro Metropolitan Planning Organization.
I am also the co-chair of the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners Presidential Initiative on Re-engaging Disconnected Youth. I previously served on the Board of Education and was chair of that board from 2013-2014.
Q2: Why are you running to be elected or re-elected?
I am running because I believe in the value of local government and its importance to the residents of Chatham County. Over the past several years we have seen numerous instances where the state has undermined the autonomy of local government especially with regard to broadband access, education and Jordan Lake.
I will continue to advocate for greater local control and demand that the state and federal government recognize that government is at its most effective closest to the people and I will continue to resist unfunded mandates that are pushed down to the local level.
Q3: What will you do for the citizens of Chatham County if you are elected on November 3rd?
I will continue to represent all Chatham residents, whether they have been here for generations or just arrived from across the state, across the nation or across the sea. We are a community of old and new, urban and rural, farmers, teachers, artists, businesspeople, makers, crafters and creators.
Our leadership must be accountable to all. I have demonstrated my commitment to investing in strong public schools, advocating for policies that protect the natural environment, championing the arts and continuing to develop strategies that support both small local entrepreneurs and larger industries. As we continue to experience the pressures of growth, I am committed to providing leadership that manages that growth responsibly and steers us clear of unmitigated development.
Jay Stobbs (R)
Chatham County Commissioner, District 1
Q1: Who are you?
No response
Q2: Why are you running to be elected or re-elected?
No response
Q3: What will you do for the citizens of Chatham County if you are elected on November 3rd?
No response
Chatham County Commissioner District 2
Mike Dasher (D)
Chatham County Commissioner, District 2 (incumbent)
Q1: Who are you?
My name is Mike Dasher, and I currently serve as the District 2 Chatham County Commissioner. In addition I’m a dad, husband, son, builder, and an engaged and active community member. I’m a 15-yr resident of Chatham County and have called North Carolina home for some 30 years.
Q2: Why are you running to be elected or re-elected?
I’m running for re-election because I want to continue the important work we’re doing to move Chatham County forward. I’m proud of the progress we’ve made over the last three years, but there is still work to do.
Since I was elected in 2016, we’ve adopted the Chatham County Comprehensive Plan, which outlines a vision for Chatham County over the next 25 years and details the strategies that will help us get there. We’ve begun the process of developing a Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) which will consolidate—and most importantly update —our ordinances into one document, and will provide clear rules for smarter growth that protects our environment and keeps Chatham County the unique blend of landscapes it is today.
I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished for our schools and community college. We approved construction of both a new elementary school and a new high school to address overcrowding. We funded a new teacher salary supplement program so we can recruit and retain good teachers in the face of state cuts. We funded a new Health Sciences Center for Central Carolina Community College, which will accommodate more students and programs in this growing career field. Perhaps most significantly, we funded a new program for our community college called Chatham Promise, which provides two years of tuition-free college for Chatham County high school graduates.
In addition, we’ve established an Affordable Housing Trust Fund, which is already helping to provide additional housing units in Chatham County. We funded a Community Engagement Coordinator position in the County Manager’s office, to leverage the work of our nonprofits and community groups that are addressing vital needs. We approved and adopted a Chatham County Parks Master Plan, and are working to upgrade existing parks, develop a new park in southeast Chatham, and plan for future greenways. We’re doing great things in Chatham County, and I want to continue moving Chatham County forward.
Q3: What will you do for the citizens of Chatham County if you are elected on November 3rd?
My goal for my second term, should I be fortunate to serve, is to get to a place where we no longer feel like we’re catching up, but instead have established the ordinances that will protect our environment and rural character; the programs and funding streams that will provide for schools, parks, affordable housing and all the things that make a community vibrant; and the staff and facilities that a growing, modern, progressive county needs.
My three years as a Commissioner have allowed me to build solid relationships with my colleagues and county staff, with community leaders, and with residents across the county. I know the processes and procedures for getting things done. I’ve proven that I’m willing and able to do the work required to bring about real progress.
Jimmy Pharr (R)
Chatham County Commissioner, District 2.
Q1: Who are you?
Jimmy Pharr, Commissioner Candidate, District 2. A lifetime NC resident; 35 years in Chatham, prior 12, just over our county line. My wife and best friend of 43 years, Ida, was born in Chatham; 3 children and grandchildren. I’m a Bible Professor; was a Personnel Manager on two nuclear power plants. We have owned and operated three businesses.
Two BA’s from UNC; Masters of Divinity and of Christian Education from Seminary. We hold Real Estate licenses and I have a “Broker-In-Charge” license. I served in the Air Force, am an Eagle Scout, as is my son. I am governed by biblical and conservative principles, whose priorities are the God who created me, the wife and family He gave me, and a desire to serve them all, and others put in my path.
Q2: Why are you running to be elected or re-elected?
Being here so long, quite a few folks know us, and began asking me to run. I was hearing “we are not represented”, “we don’t even feel part of this county.” (66% live in rural). That I’d never ran for anything before did not seem to deter – it was like, “we don’t want a politician, we want you.” The makeup of this county is not reflected in the makeup of elected leaders.
4 of 5 commissioners are Democrats. The local NC Senate and House seats are Democrats. Our nonpartisan School Board, Town Council, and Pittsboro mayor have no registered Republicans. This is a whopping imbalance – an unbridled monopoly really. This is not healthy. With one lone exception, it’s been this way here. Chatham’s history shows they have little fear losing that control, so “answering to the people” is less something to worry about.
Q3: What will you do for the citizens of Chatham County if you are elected on November 3rd?
I’d strive to restore lost faith and trust of citizens here, using “Servant Leadership” (a biblical model); servants of the people, elected to govern, not to rule. Blind to personal agendas. To have used honesty and integrity, realizing the “means” are more important than the “ends”.
To be good stewards of God’s planet, (also a biblical mandate) which includes ALL resources, of which money is one. To bring a healthy balance of business and job growth with residential, so as to be more than just “a bedroom community”. I’ll respect citizens’ personal liberty and property rights, advocating common sense zoning and taxes. I’ll be pro-business and pro-jobs with a competitive tax structure and reasonable regulations. I’d aggressively advocate for our Internet and wastewater problems.
Chatham County Commissioner District 5
Andy Wilkie (R)
Chatham County Commissioner, District 5 (Incumbent)
Q1: Who are you?
No response
Q2: Why are you running to be elected or re-elected?
No response
Q3: What will you do for the citizens of Chatham County if you are elected on November 3rd?
No response
Franklin Gomez (U)
Chatham County Commissioner, District 5
Q1: Who are you?
My name is Franklin Gomez Flores. I am a first-generation immigrant, a first-generation college graduate, and an aspiring first-generation elected official. My family immigrated from Guatemala in 1999, I was age 5 at the time.
Upon our arrival, I was enrolled in our public school system. I graduated from Jordan Matthews High School, and from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. I am a recent product of Chatham County, and I have a genuine desire to serve my community. I currently serve on Chatham County’s Planning Board, and I am a Candidate for Chatham County Commissioner from District 5.
Q2: Why are you running to be elected or re-elected?
I believe in creating the change that we want to see happen. I grew up seeing textile and poultry processing plants closing and later demolished. Chatham County has limited in county employment opportunities. This is a big issue, especially for District 5, which has one of the lowest income ranges in Chatham County.
I want to play a role in increasing employment opportunities that pay a livable wage and that provide competitive benefits. I also believe that with the expected growth, we need leaders who will protect our natural resources and environment. I am confident that my Biology degree will assist me in supporting responsible growth.
Q3: What will you do for the citizens of Chatham County if you are elected on November 3rd?
I will support and contribute to efforts that are focused on increasing employment opportunities.
I will support the ongoing efforts of providing high-quality education.
I will support responsible growth.
I will support affordable housing.
Most importantly, I will listen to our community members.
Click here to learn about the Chatham County Board of Education candidates.
