Mental health and court counselor Kate O’Brien has spent more than two decades in North Carolina helping others navigate personal challenges and difficult times. Now, she is running for Chatham County commissioner to help the community also navigate a time of change.
O’Brien filed to run for the District 3 commissioner seat — which covers West Pittsboro and the northern-most area of Chatham County — in December, joining Mike Roberson in the Democratic primary that will be uncontested in November’s general election. The seat is open as current District 3 Commissioner David Delaney announced in October he would not be seeking a second four-year term.
O’Brien said she was encouraged to run by friends based on her background in helping Chatham community members and social activism. As a longtime Creeks Edge resident who lives near Briar Chapel, she said her top priority in running for elected office is to try and conserve the county’s “natural health and beauty” where she’s raised her children.
“I want this area to provide resources and services to residents so that they can thrive here for their entire lives and contribute to this community,” O’Brien described to Chapelboro in response to emailed questions. “Chatham has the potential to become a sustainable community that attracts business, meets the demand for affordable housing, reduces municipal solid waste, promotes recycling, protects our watershed from contaminants including chemical discharges, sediment from construction and herbicides, pesticides and agricultural wastes, promotes excellent education and job training for well-paying jobs.
“I am interested in,” she continued, “racial justice and equity, food security, access to health care, including robust mental health services and addiction prevention and treatment services, public transit infrastructure and services for our older residents so that they can continue to live socially connected lives. I am committed to this amazing community and I want residents to feel that they are welcome here. Their talents and input are needed to build a vibrant and sustainable community.”
O’Brien is a licensed clinical mental health counselor, who has experience helping youth in the criminal justice system. In addition to her time in North Carolina, she worked as a child support hearing officer in Pennsylvania, Vermont and Colorado before becoming a juvenile court counselor in Orange, Alamance and Chatham counties working for the state of North Carolina. O’Brien said through that work, she learned about the variety of challenges young people face from having adverse childhood experiences and the importance of providing them therapy services to aid their resilience. Beyond her professional work, O’Brien also volunteers with Second Bloom of Chatham — a nonprofit that provides resources and support to local survivors of sexual or intimate partner violence — where she also has served on its board of directors, as well as the Shakori Hills Music Festival and First Sunday Pittsboro.
When asked to describe her leadership style, O’Brien said she always tries to examine issues by first doing research through a variety of sources to “read, hear and see” for herself before asking clarifying questions. Then, she said she aims to make decisions through a “thoughtful, reflective and collaborative” process.
“I am excited to learn what constituents are concerned about in different parts of the county,” O’Brien told Chapelboro. “I hope to to gain a richer and nuanced understanding of what people value. Running a campaign is a two way exchange of information. I hope to have the opportunity to hear from community members what is important to them and I hope to share my perspective and vision for what is possible.
“Chatham County is an area where voters are engaged,” O’Brien added. “As a candidate I have a unique opportunity to connect with residents. I am excited to see democracy in action. When elected, I will humbly serve the community in that important partnership. Running this campaign is the first step on that path.”
In addition to O’Brien and Roberson’s race for District 3, the Chatham County Board of Commissioners has competitive races for its other seats on the 2026 ballot. District 4, which covers northwest Chatham and much of Siler City, will see incumbent Democrat Katie Kenlen face Republican John Crowell in November. District 5 — which covers East Siler City, Goldston, Bonlee and the rest of southwest Chatham — will see incumbent Franklin Gomez Flores face Lynn Gaines in the Democratic primary. The winner of that March race will then run against Steve Ganley in November’s general election.
Voter registration for those participating in the 2026 election cycle is underway and runs through Feb. 6 at 5 p.m. in North Carolina. Early voting for the primary and non-partisan Board of Education election begins on Feb. 12 and runs through Feb. 28, with Primary Election Day set for Tuesday, Mar. 3. More details about key dates and deadlines for voters can be found on the North Carolina Board of Elections website.
Featured image via Kate O’Brien.
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.
Counselor Kate O’Brien Shares Campaign Details in Chatham County Commissioner Race Chapelboro.com.
Hence then, the article about counselor kate o brien shares campaign details in chatham county commissioner race was published today ( ) and is available on chapelboro ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( Counselor Kate O’Brien Shares Campaign Details in Chatham County Commissioner Race )
Also on site :
- Union boss ‘held up Communist flag alongside people singing pro-Russia chants in occupied Ukraine’
- Large house fire near Buckeye Lake kills one, critically injures second victim
- Regained momentum sets Yemen government’s eyes on Houthis in the north