Cheryl Stallings

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Cheryl Stallings

Democratic Party

Wake County Board of Commissioners District 3

Tenure

2022 - Present

Term ends

2026

Years in position

2

Predecessor

Maria Cervania

Report an officeholder change

Elections and appointments

Last elected

November 8, 2022

Education

High school

Gates County High School

Bachelor's

NC State University, 1987

Graduate

East Carolina University, 1990

Ph.D

NC State University, 1999

Personal

Birthplace

Suffolk, Va.

Religion

Christian: Baptist

Profession

Psychologist

Contact

Campaign website

Campaign Facebook

Cheryl Stallings (Democratic Party) is a member of the Wake County Board of Commissioners in North Carolina, representing District 3. She assumed office on December 5, 2022. Her current term ends on December 7, 2026.

Stallings (Democratic Party) ran for election to the Wake County Board of Commissioners to represent District 3 in North Carolina. She won in the general election on November 8, 2022.

Stallings completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2022. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

Cheryl Stallings was born in Suffolk, Virginia. She earned a high school diploma from Gates County High School, a bachelor's degree from NC State University in 1987, a graduate degree from East Carolina University in 1990, and a Ph.D. from NC State University in 1999. Her career experience includes working as a psychologist. Stallings has been affiliated with the NC Psychological Association and the NC Division of Independent Professional Practice.

Elections

2022

See also: Municipal elections in Wake County, North Carolina (2022)

General election

General election for Wake County Board of Commissioners District 3

Cheryl Stallings defeated Irina Comer in the general election for Wake County Board of Commissioners District 3 on November 8, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Cheryl Stallings (D)	61.5	273,430
		Irina Comer (R)	38.5	171,296

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 444,726
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Wake County Board of Commissioners District 3

Cheryl Stallings defeated Cynthia Sinkez and Lisa Mead in the Democratic primary for Wake County Board of Commissioners District 3 on May 17, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Cheryl Stallings	37.0	31,237
	Submit photo	Cynthia Sinkez	31.6	26,666
		Lisa Mead	31.4	26,507

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 84,410
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Republican primary election

The Republican primary election was canceled. Irina Comer advanced from the Republican primary for Wake County Board of Commissioners District 3.

Endorsements

To view Stallings' endorsements in the 2022 election, please click here.

2019

See also: City elections in Apex, North Carolina (2019)

General election

General election for Apex Town Council (2 seats)

Terry Mahaffey and Cheryl Stallings defeated incumbent Wesley Moyer in the general election for Apex Town Council on November 5, 2019.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Terry Mahaffey (Nonpartisan)	41.2	3,748
✔		Cheryl Stallings (Nonpartisan)	40.7	3,701
	Submit photo	Wesley Moyer (Nonpartisan)	17.1	1,559
		Other/Write-in votes	1.0	91

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 9,099
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Endorsements

For a complete list of Stallings' endorsements, please click here.

Campaign themes

2022

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Cheryl Stallings completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2022. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Stallings' responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Expand all | Collapse all

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I am a psychologist, small business owner, and Apex Town Council member. Additionally, I am a native of NC and grew up on a family farm. After high school, I attended NC State and East Carolina Universities. With the help of scholarships. financial aid, and part-time jobs, I earned a doctorate degree and became a school psychologist. I have worked in a number of NC public schools (including Wake County) providing mental health services to students, and consultation services to teachers and administrators. I currently co-own a mental health practice in Raleigh. I am a product of NC public schools from kindergarten through graduate school. My son is a product of the Wake County Public Schools (K-12). My husband and I have lived in Wake County for over 30 years (Zebulon, Raleigh, and Apex). In 2019, I ran for and won a seat on the Apex Town Council. In addition to Covid mitigation work to support our residents, local businesses, and Town Staff, I also have experience with decision-making related to Town budges; infrastructure; housing affordability; diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives; and responsible growth within the context of environmental stewardship while also monitoring carefully our school capacity and traffic needs. I'm looking forward to this opportunity of expanded public service in working with the current Board as we strive to create a healthy and sustainable economy, community, and environment for all. Public service working for the public good.

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?

• A healthy and sustainable economy for the people of Wake County. This incudes continued work in Economic Developement as we work to bring good jobs for diverse skill sets throughout the County. This also includes increased access to broad band internet for our schools, businesses and homes. This work will enhace economic mobility for our residents and improved quality of life as well.
• A healthy and sustainable community for all. This includes working to support a robust system of public schools, public health and mental health services, housing affordability, and safe communities.
• A healthy and sustainable environment for all. This includes staying on track with the County's renewable energy goals; continued work in preserving and maintaining our open spaces/green spaces, parks/greenways, and family farms; and staying on track with our long range public transportation goals (which include expanded bus services, bus rapid transit, and commuter rail).

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Economic development, pubic education, health care and mental health care, affordable housing, safe communities/violent prevention work, and environmental stewardship.

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

I stand on the shoulders of many women and men who have gone before us who have worked for women's rights, civil rights, voting rights, and a just and equitable world.

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

To have a strong work ethic and to be a person with integrity, honesty, compassion, transparency, and communication with the public. It is also important to be a good listener and to work collaboratively with others.

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

I have a strong work ethic, I try to listen and communicate well, and I believe strongly in collaborative partnerships in working to meet the needs of our community.

What legacy would you like to leave?

I would like to leave a legacy of compassionate and authentic service that is inclusive and that works for a just and equitable world.

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

Mowing lawns in my community as a teenager plus working with the local County Extension Service in a crop scouting program. I did this through my high school years.

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

Finding a good work-life balance because there are so many needs and causes that I have interest in.

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.

2019

Cheryl Stallings completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2019. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Stallings' responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Expand all | Collapse all

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I am running for Apex Town Council because I care about people, our community, and how public policy impacts the people in our town. I grew up in eastern North Carolina, earned degrees from NC State and East Carolina Universities, and moved to Apex 22 years ago. I began my mental health career as a school psychologist and later opened my own psychology practice shortly after my son's birth. Additionally, I am very active in my church and currently serve as a Deacon. I also manage the care for my brother who was disabled from a 1985 car accident. I donated the kidney for his transplant in 2017.

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?

• Quality of life issues for residents
• Collaborative partnerships
• Proactive environmental and financial stewardship

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

First, I want to manage growth in a more sustainable, thoughtful, and planful way. Rapid growth in Apex has led to a number of concerns associated with roads, traffic congestion, crowded schools, storm runoff from clear cutting trees, and housing affordability. I will support increased business opportunities that contribute to the diverse needs of our citizens, as well as projects that invest in walkability, connectivity, green spaces, and downtown enhancements.

Secondly, I want Apex to be a leader in addressing climate change. I support green energy initiatives, a more comprehensive tree ordinance, and an environmental review board that would make recommendations on planing and development projects.

And finally, I want to discuss ways in which we can build stronger and safer community together. I want to work to make our pedestrian crossings at schools and throughout the town safer. Additionally, I want to have proactive community discussion on violence and gun violence prevention efforts so that everyone feels that they are an important part of our vibrant community.

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

Local municipalities are the grass roots of government services to our communities. We vote on town ordinances, resolutions, business and residential development decisions, and we make funding decisions that affect the daily lives of our residents and the services that are provided to them (such as fire, police, public works, water/sewer, and some infrastructure improvements).

Consistent with my platform, I believe it is very important to collaborate with other levels of government to make sure the needs of the local community are heard and represented. This helps to ensure continuity of services provided to residents.

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

I stand on the shoulders of many women who have gone before me, many women who have worked tirelessly and persistently for voting rights, civiil rights, and equal rights. Women such as Sojourner Truth, Rosa Parks, Susan B. Anthony, Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, my mother Dorothy, my pastor Nancy, my circle of friends - all of these women are my examples and motivation to be the best person that I can be in working for just and equitable public policy for the collective good of my town.

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

I believe it is very important to be honest, ethical, and hard working - with the collective good of the people for whom one serves to be at the heart of decision-making.

Additionally, I believe in transparency and in admitting mistakes when they occur. Ownership and accountability are important, as well as having the courage to admit wrong doing if it occurs and then take steps to reconcile the problem at hand.

What legacy would you like to leave?

I would like to be known as a caring and compassionate leader who serves the people and the greater good of Apex. I will work for just and equitable policy that integrates quality of life issues, collaborative partnerships, and environmental and financial stewardship.

If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?

Wonder Woman - saving the planet and working for a just and equitable world

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

A number of first time candidates begin at the municipal level of government. I don't think it is necessary to have had prior government experience in this role, but I do believe it is very important for someone to have a strong work ethic, commitment, and passion in serving one's community.

I also believe it is very important to take advantage of as many learning opportunities as possible to better understand local government and the services they provide. In Apex, for example, the Town Staff has developed a curriculum called "Peak Academy" for interested residents. These classes meet twice a month from April through November. I have been participating in these classes this year, and have very much enjoyed meeting a number of our town staff and Apex neighbors as well.

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

I believe it is very important to be a good listener, communicator, collaborator, problem solver, and community builder.

As a woman, long-time Apex resident, small business owner, and psychologist, I will bring a unique skill set and perspective to the Apex Town Council. I am committed to leadership that involves collaborative problem solving for the greater good of our town.

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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Candidate

Wake County Board of Commissioners District 3

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