During this local election season, 97.9 The Hill and Chapelboro spoke with candidates for races representing Chapel Hill, Carrboro, Hillsborough and Pittsboro — a series of conversations comprising our Candidate Introductions.
Each answered the same set of questions regarding their decision to run for elected office, their thoughts on pressing community issues and what they wish for residents to think of when voting this fall. Their answers (lightly edited for clarity and brevity) are shared here, as well as links to their respective campaign websites or pages.
If a candidate did not respond or chose not to speak with 97.9 The Hill and Chapelboro, it will be designated with no audio. The order of candidates below is in the alphabetical order of their last names. The order candidates appear on the ballot in the 2026 election has been determined randomly, by the State Board of Elections. For more information on that process, click here.
Orange and Chatham Counties’ contested North Carolina General Assembly races are few and far between this fall. Most were determined in the primary — with Renée Price earning re-election in N.C. House District 50 in a primary race, Robert Reives running unopposed in N.C. House District 54’s election, and Natalie Murdock also being unopposed in both races for N.C. Senate District 20.
The two races that are contested are N.C. House District 56, which covers the town limits of Chapel Hill and Carrboro, and N.C. Senate District 23 covering all of Orange, Person and Caswell counties. In the former, two-term Democratic Rep. Allen Buansi looks to earn another term as he faces Libertarian candidate and Matthew Clements. Meanwhile, the incumbent for the Senate seat isn’t on the ballot — as former Sen. Graig Meyer stepped down from office after March’s primary for a role at the North Carolina Justice Center. In his stead, Chapel Hill Democrat Jonah Garson faces off against Republican and Caswell County resident Laura Pichardo.
97.9 The Hill spoke with the candidates in both races, asking these questions that are reflected in the recorded responses:
At this time, what is inspiring you to run in this race? What are the top three issues your campaign is built on? (Concise response, then elaborate on all three) During this general election cycle, what have you heard most consistently from voters and might shape what you try to accomplish in the North Carolina House or Senate? How does your policy platform reflect the district’s values? How do you carry your constituents’ feedback/hopes/wishes with you to the legislature? When voters see your name on the ballot, what do you want them to think of? N.C. State Senate – District 23Jonah Garson (D)
(photo via Jonah Garson for NC)
chapelboroaudio.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/2026/Candidate%20Introductions/2026%20General/State%20and%20Fed/Federal/FINAL%20CI_JONAH%20GARSON%20NC%20SEN%2023.mp3
Laura Pichardo (R)
(Photo via Laura Pichardo for NC State Senate District 23)
chapelboroaudio.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/2026/Candidate%20Introductions/2026%20General/State%20and%20Fed/Federal/FINAL%20CI_LAURA%20PICHARDO%20NC%20SEN%2023.mp3N.C. House of Representatives – District 56
Allen Buansi (D)
(Photo via Allen Buansi for NC)
Audio airing on Friday, October 15.
Matthew P. Clements (L)
(Photo via Matthew Clements for NC House)
Audio airing on Friday, October 15.
Early voting for the 2026 general elections across North Carolina runs from Thursday, Oct. 15 to Saturday, Oct. 31 offering an additional opportunity to register to vote for anyone who misses the Oct. 9 deadline. Election Day is Tuesday, November 3.
The full 2026 Election Schedule, published by the Board of Elections, can be found here.
More of the 2026 Candidate Introductions for local elections can be found on Chapelboro’s Local Elections page as they are published.
Chapelboro.com does not charge subscription fees, and you can directly support our efforts in local journalism here. Want more of what you see on Chapelboro? Let us bring free local news and community information to you by signing up for our newsletter.
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