Today, Chapel Hill Town Council member Jessica Anderson announced she will be running for mayor, seeking to succeed Pam Hemminger who announced earlier today that she would not be running for a fifth term. Her website is jessformayor.org.
This is great news for Chapel Hill
We’re thrilled that Anderson has thrown her hat into the ring! She was a supporter of the housing choices initiative that allows duplexes to be built in most neighborhoods, but also saw the need to implement some guardrails based on community feedback. (We disagreed with some of these, but appreciate Anderson’s ability to work with and listen to all constituents, including long-time residents of the historic districts.)
She’s pushed council’s ongoing efforts to build out a greenway network. She has been the leading force to build a splash pad and inclusive playground in Chapel Hill, and the Complete Communities process, creating a community vision that will move Chapel Hill forward.
During her eight years on council, Anderson has impressed us with her ability to listen, change her mind, and compromise. She has worked diligently with constituents who at times have disagreed with her (like some of us!). She will face off against fellow council member Adam Searing.
Out of the gate, Anderson has been endorsed by local elected officials, including Mayor Hemminger, several of her fellow council members, and members of the Orange County and Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools boards.
More to come. Much much more to come.