Art McCulloch

This page was current at the end of the individual's last campaign covered by Ballotpedia. Please contact us with any updates.

Art McCulloch

Republican Party

Elections and appointments

Last election

November 5, 2024

Education

High school

Cuyahoga Falls High School

Bachelor's

The Ohio State University, 1977

Medical

Medical College of Ohio, 1984

Military

Service / branch

U.S. Marine Corps

Years of service

1967 - 1971

Personal

Birthplace

Akron, Ohio

Religion

Christian: Episcopalian

Profession

Physician

Contact

Campaign website

Campaign Facebook

Campaign Instagram

Campaign YouTube

Art McCulloch (Republican Party) ran for election to the Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners to represent District 5 in North Carolina. He lost in the general election on November 5, 2024.

McCulloch completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

Art McCulloch was born in Akron, Ohio. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1967 to 1971. He earned a high school diploma from Cuyahoga Falls High School, a bachelor's degree from Ohio State University in 1977, and an M.D. from the Medical College of Ohio in 1984. His career experience includes working as a physician and anesthesiologist.

Elections

2024

See also: Municipal elections in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina (2024)

General election

General election for Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners District 5

Incumbent Laura Meier defeated Art McCulloch in the general election for Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners District 5 on November 5, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Laura Meier (D)	55.5	55,030
		Art McCulloch (R)	44.5	44,107

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 99,137
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary election

The Democratic primary election was canceled. Incumbent Laura Meier advanced from the Democratic primary for Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners District 5.

Republican primary election

The Republican primary election was canceled. Art McCulloch advanced from the Republican primary for Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners District 5.

Endorsements

Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for McCulloch in this election.

Campaign themes

2024

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Art McCulloch completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by McCulloch's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

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Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I am an anesthesiologist who has practiced in Charlotte for over 30 years. Most of my time was spent caring for patients at CMC (Atrium). I am seeking a seat on the County Commission to bring some new ideas to the community and to provide a moderately conservative view point to the table.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

• We have plenty of well-intended programs to help people with housing, education, public health (including drug addiction), and other social concerns. I believe that the community would benefit from better communication from the Board about these programs.
• CMS, although not managed by the County Commission, is the recipient of significant funding from the county. As a governmental institution, CMS is populated by an overabundance of administrators - roughly 10 times more per student that private or parochial schools. I would like to work with the School Board and find efficiencies that would allow a significant amount of money to be available to teachers and principles. Our children are our future.
• As a moderate Republican, I possess a a political bias which can be useful in discussions and decisions by the Board which is currently represented by only Democrats. Lack of diversity can result inlost opportunities.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Drug addiction is a significant public health issue that is devastating to individuals, families, and the community. No easy roads exist to be rid of the problem, but possibilities for treatment are available.

What qualities does this office possess that makes it a unique and important part of the state government and legal system?

Roughly 8% of the 2.3 billion dollar budget goes to fund the county sheriff's office. We can expect that funding will help to contribute to our laws being enforced and our citizens to be safe.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

My grandfather loved me completely and spent hours with me as he visited people in his ministry. Ronald Reagan was my favorite President because he had a world view and political philosophy that guided him to be both compassionate and forceful - all with a great sense of humor.

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

Thomas Sowell and Victor Davis Hanson are authors who I admire. Milton Friedman was an economist who shaped many of my views.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Honesty, frankness, and willingness to consider issues from a variety of viewpoints is vital for productive work to be done. Respect for all at the table, especially for those with whom you disagree promotes success.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

Honesty, respect, and compassion

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

Understanding and adopting the county budget is, perhaps, the greatest challenge to the Commission. Working with the County Manager to achieve desired effects must be paramount. Assessing the community needs and adopting successful programs for those who need help as well as communicating effectively to the residents of Mecklenburg county is, as well, a key role for the Commissioners.

What legacy would you like to leave?

I was committed to service to my fellow man in many respects while always trying to be a good example to my family.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

I remember the election of Dwight Eisenhower, but more significantly I vividly remember the Cuban missile crises, and was convinced we were about to enter WWIII.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

I cleaned and waxed the floor at the local barbershop when I was twelve. After one year I went to work at a hardware store which taught me many useful skills.

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

Circle of Life by Elton John

Do you believe that it's beneficial for holders of this office to have previous experience in government or politics?

Previous government experience can be beneficial, but not necessary. Many of the Commissioners over the years have been first-time elected officials.

What kind of skills or expertise do you believe would be the most helpful for the holders of this office to possess?

I served on the NC Medical Board for six years, and was its president for one year. The mission of the Medical Board is to license physicians and PAs after verification of required training, to discipline doctors who do not conduct themselves in an ethical or legal manner, to interpret and develop rules for state medical laws, and to forge relationships with other professional boards. That work required countless hours of negotiation and significant management skills to be successful. Those are tools I would use at the County Commission.

Tell us your favorite joke.

A horse walks into a bar and the bartender asks, "Why the long face?"

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

Lisa Cline, CMS School Board

What are your views on financial transparency and government accountability?

Of course, Commissioners need to be willing to be open and honest with the community about costs, and consequences of acting, or not acting. As elected public officials we have no choice but to be held accountable.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

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Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners District 5

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