2026 Mecklenburg County Candidates Forum at Rockwell AME Zion

This informative video captures the 2026 Candidates Forum hosted at Rockwell AME Zion Church in Charlotte, NC. Focused on the County Commissioners at-large positions, the evening provided a vital platform for the community to hear directly from new candidates.

With county commissioners holding significant responsibility over systems that directly affect Mecklenburg County residents, the forum emphasized the importance of being laser-focused on local issues and discerning the true heart and ideology of those seeking to serve.

Key Forum Highlights

• Judicial Vacancy Update: Former judge Kimberly Best addresses the unique District Court bench vacancy and shares her 14 years of experience advocating for juvenile matters and foster care.
• Fiscal Responsibility: Candidates discuss their backgrounds in managing large budgets, auditing financials, and holding public officials accountable for county funds.
• Social Services & Housing: Urgent conversations on expanding senior programs, combating fraud, addressing the unhoused population, and ensuring residents earn a living wage.
• Community Investment: Strategies for supporting Black and Brown businesses and ensuring equitable distribution of the county's $2.5 billion budget.

A Journey Through the Candidates Forum

Opening Prayer and Forum Purpose

‍The evening begins with Pastor Jordan Boyd welcoming attendees and opening the session with a prayer for guidance as the community engages in important civic matters. Reverend Karen Mack then outlines the purpose of this third candidate forum, focusing on the County Commissioners at-large positions. While several incumbents were called to an emergency meeting, Rev. Mack notes this provides a valuable opportunity to hear from fresh voices. Colette Vars recognizes the event sponsors, including Sheriff's candidate Rodney Collins and former City Council person Greg Fipps, before introducing Tanya Rivers as the evening's moderator.

Special Judicial Announcement

‍Before the main debate, Rev. Mack explains a unique situation regarding a vacancy on the District Court bench due to a recent retirement, noting that the appointed replacement must immediately appear on the November 2026 ballot. Former judge Kimberly Best then takes the floor to speak about her extensive qualifications, citing her 14 years of experience as a judge and her passionate advocacy for foster care.

Meet the Candidates

‍Moderator Tanya Rivers initiates introductions for the County Commissioner candidates:

• Sharif Hanaan: Emphasizes connecting with people in person, highlighting an "identity crisis" in Mecklenburg County and asking voters to prioritize the people over developers.
• Tony Emahel: Focuses on a platform of public safety, mental health access, workforce development, and accountable governance, driven by the tragic loss of a coworker to a violent attack.
• Felicia Tompkins (via Gia Baker): Outlines her 12 years of experience in social services, with a strong focus on advocating for seniors and connecting them with vital programs.

Tackling the Big Issues

‍The candidates field pressing questions on how they plan to manage the county's future:

• Fiscal Responsibility: Emahel discusses her hands-on experience managing homeowner association budgets and community event funds. Hanaan points to his background as a white-collar investigations attorney, auditing business financials and scrutinizing massive projects like the $120 million Community Lifeline Project.
• Seniors and Social Services: Hanaan addresses the epidemic of fraud targeting seniors and the need to combat loneliness. Emahel firmly argues that the county’s budget is large enough that residents should not have to choose between seniors and other essential services.
• The Unhoused Population: While Hanaan points to a lack of affordability and the need for expanded mental health interventions, Emahel stresses the importance of proactive measures, such as ensuring residents make a living wage so they aren't priced out of their own neighborhoods.
• Public Safety & Infrastructure: Concerns are raised about slow ambulance response times in edge communities like Matthews, alongside a unified stance against the I-77 toll road project.

Community Questions and Closing Remarks‍

The floor opens to audience questions, prompting a sharp discussion on the difference between a "politician" and a "public servant." Emahel defines herself as a public servant who only uses the political process to gain leverage for community work, while Hanaan describes a public servant as someone who genuinely cares for their neighbors over donors or tribes. When asked how to ensure Black and Brown businesses get a piece of the county budget, the candidates suggest mobilizing business owners and conducting deep audits of outside consultancy fees.

The forum concludes with closing statements from the candidates, followed by final remarks from Rev. Karen Mack. She urges voters to use deep discernment, to be intentional about elevating the working class, and to walk forward in a spirit of love and truth.

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