Laura Meier

Laura Meier (Democratic Party) is a member of the Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners in North Carolina, representing District 5. She assumed office on December 7, 2020. Her current term ends on December 2, 2026.

Meier (Democratic Party) ran for re-election to the Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners to represent District 5 in North Carolina. She won in the general election on November 5, 2024.

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

Biography

Laura Meier earned a bachelor's degree from Appalachian State University in 1991 and a graduate degree from Winthrop University in 1994. Her career experience includes working as a social studies and civics teacher.^[1]

Elections

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

	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

Meier received the following endorsements.

Equality NC PAC

2022

General election

General election for Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners District 5

Incumbent Laura Meier defeated Matthew Ridenhour in the general election for Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners District 5 on November 8, 2022.

	Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Laura Meier (D)	52.6	39,063
	Matthew Ridenhour (R)	47.4	35,162

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 74,225
= 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

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. Matthew Ridenhour advanced from the Republican primary for Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners District 5.

2020

General election

General election for Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners District 5

Laura Meier defeated Matthew Ridenhour in the general election for Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners District 5 on November 3, 2020.

	Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Laura Meier (D)	51.3	50,076
	Matthew Ridenhour (R)	48.7	47,512

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 97,588
= 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

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

Republican primary election

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

Campaign themes

2024

Ballotpedia survey responses

Laura Meier completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Meier's 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 Laura Meier, currently the County Commissioner in District 5, Mecklenburg County NC. I serve to make a difference in my community by protecting green space, supporting mental health initiatives, advocating for affordable housing investments, and fighting for public education. I have two grown sons, two dogs, have lived in Charlotte and D5 for over 30 years. I love my community and want to help make it even better. I understand the issues, am responsive and communicative, and love helping my constituents navigate local government.

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?

I will never stop supporting public education. I was a teacher myself and understand the needs. I will continue to support higher salary supplements for our teachers because it absolutely makes a difference who is in front of the children in a classroom. Vouchers are dismantling and defunding our schools. We must support our schools!
As charlotte’s growth goes almost unchecked, I will continue to advocate for land acquisition by the county. Our environment and our mental health depends on it.
Affordable Housing has become a shared issue between city and county governments. Our teachers, fire fighters, police and other professionals can’t even live where they work. I will continue to advocate for affordable housing investment across the county.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Public schools, affordable housing, mental heath, women’s reproductive right,

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

The county commission served at the pleasure of the state.

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

I always looked up to my grandmother, who was way before her time in accepting all people, races, religions etc. she was a wonderful woman who I think of often in my journey.

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

The Water is Wide by Pat Conroy

13th Documentary
The New Jim Crow

So You Want to Talk About Race

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

Equal rights, livability, happiness, health

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

Compassionate, accepting, patience, honesty, listener

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

To listen to constituents and advocate for funding for initiatives they support.

What legacy would you like to leave?

I hope to leave a legacy of accomplishment—that the county is a stellar supporter of public education, mental health, green space and parks, and affordable housing.

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

When the Challenger exploded, I was watching it live during my 11th grade US History class.

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

I worked as a restaurant server throughout college. Then became a teacher.

What is your favorite book? Why?

A Prayer for Owen Meaney.

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

Atticus in To Kill a Mockkngbird

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

Hit Me with Your Best Shot by Pat Benatar

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

Being too honest. Sometimes I don’t have a filter.

Are there any little-known powers or responsibilities held by this office that you believe more people should be aware of?

Often people are unaware of the differences between city and county government. In a nutshell, the county is a health and human services agency.

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

It definitely helps. I was a civics teacher. That helped tremendously, as well as my background running a campaign.

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

Ability to listen, compassion, patience, knowledge of the various systems in play, ability to think outside the box. Narrow mindedness or working in a silo has no business here.

Tell us your favorite joke.

Did you hear about the celebrity who gouged her eyes out? Her name is Reese….

Witherspoon?

No no it was with her fork!

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

Equality N.C.

Sierra Club
Meck Dems LGBTQ excellent rating

Jeff Jackson

What are your views on financial transparency and government accountability?

Absolutely we must follow all accountability laws and open meeting laws.

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.

2022

Laura Meier did not complete Ballotpedia's 2022 Candidate Connection survey.

2020

Laura Meier completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2020. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Meier's 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 grew up in Charleston SC, graduated from Appalachian State University with a degree in Political Science. I then went on to obtain my Masters in Teaching from Winthrop University. I taught high school social studies in a drop-out prevention program in CMS. I was fortunate enough to be able to stay at home with my two boys, now 20 and 18. Eventually, I helped open an after-school program for middle school students living in the Brookhill neighborhood, becoming its director.

In 2017, I joined the board of Charlotte Women's March as co-chair of its Racial Equity group. I currently serve as CWM's Co-President, advocating for equity for ALL women. I have served on the board of Lillian's List, and I am currently on the board of Cops and Barbers.

I am an active member of Avondale Presbyterian Church, where I am an Elder and Co-Leader of Stewardship.

I have been married to Jeff for 25 years, and the mother of Jay and Ben, who both attended CMS schools. We currently live in Dilworth with our two dogs, Twain and Stella.

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?

Education is foundation to a thriving economy. We must continue to support our public schools because investing in education is an investment in our future.
One of the most important issues to me is mental health. It is a subject that is more widespread than people think and that's because we don't talk about it. I want to see greater accessibility to mental health services in Mecklenburg County for those who need it.
I want to support and sustain our parks and green spaces in Mecklenburg County. Parks help families be healthier and happier, and recreation centers provide much-needed after-school programs and senior resources.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I want to see the county and city officials and staff work together to battle the issues presented by the Upward Mobility report, putting Charlotte-Mecklenburg 50/50 for upward mobility. This is shameful. We should continue to follow the recommendations from Leading on Opportunity (for example, funding Pre-K). Affordable housing is a must to confront and solve and we must work together. It is imperative that we continue to fund appropriately mental health services, public education and parks and recreation for the good of ALL the people in the county, not just a few.

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.

External links

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Candidate

Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners District 5

Personal

Footnotes

↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on August 12, 2024

[1] Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on August 12, 2024

[1]

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Laura Meier

Contents

Biography

Elections

2024

General election

General election for Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners District 5

Democratic primary election

Republican primary election

Endorsements

2022

General election

General election for Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners District 5

Democratic primary election

Republican primary election

2020

General election

General election for Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners District 5

Democratic primary election

Republican primary election

Campaign themes

2024

Ballotpedia survey responses

2022

2020

See also

External links

Footnotes

Information about voting

2025 Elections

2026 Elections

2024 Election analysis

Trending

Public Policy

Information for candidates

Get Engaged

Services

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