One of the longest-tenured members of the Chapel Hill Town Council will not be seeking a third term this fall.
Karen Stegman shared in her newsletter Monday morning she is planning to finish her town council term in December, but will not file to run for re-election this summer.
“This decision comes after deep reflection and with immense gratitude for the opportunity to serve the community that has shaped me. Born and raised in Chapel Hill, I have been honored to contribute to our town’s growth, sustainability, equity, and resilience.”
Having first been elected in 2017, the Chapel Hill native and UNC graduate helped lead the town through several significant changes in recent years. With affordable housing as a lynchpin of each of her campaigns, Stegman voted to help fund more than 1,400 new units across her eight years — including 168 units at town-owned land off Legion Road in 2022. She also was among councils saw two bonds passed by the public to contribute $25 million to affordable housing efforts, approved a five-year strategy for building and preserving affordable homes, and helped establish an affordable housing fund with UNC Health to create new units.
An open, gay elected official, Stegman’s advocacy helped play a part in Chapel Hill being among the first local governments to pass a comprehensive non-discrimination ordinance to protect LGBTQ+ community members after the North Carolina law preventing such measures expired in 2020. Thanks to that — and several other changes to encourage the town government and its community to be more inclusive — Chapel Hill saw its Municipal Equality Index score by the Human Rights Campaign increase from 66 to 100 during Stegman’s tenure on council.
In her newsletter, Stegman also cited the town’s review of its community safety and policing strategies in the wake of George Floyd’s murder in 2020, creation of a criminal justice debt fund, and approval of a Climate Action Plan among the achievements she is most proud of.
“These accomplishments and many more were made possible through collaboration with dedicated colleagues, staff, and engaged residents,” she wrote. “I am proud of what we have achieved together and confident in the town’s continued progress.
“As I step away from public office at the end of my term in December,” Stegman concluded, “I look forward to continuing to serve our community in new ways. I remain committed to the values that make Chapel Hill a vibrant, inclusive, and forward-thinking town. Thank you for the trust and support you have shown me throughout my tenure.”
This is a developing story and will have additional information added.
Featured image via Karen Stegman for Chapel Hill Town Council.
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Karen Stegman Not Seeking Re-Election, Will Leave Chapel Hill Council After 2 Terms Chapelboro.com.
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