Early voters at Cornelius Town Hall in 2020

July 21. Now there are 10 candidates for five seats on the non-partisan Cornelius Town Board. Charmaine Nephew of Chapel Point Lane has filed her paperwork with the Mecklenburg County Board of Elections to run this fall in the biennial local elections.

She is a member of the town’s HR committee which has helped improve the employee retention problem among Cornelius first responders and town staff.

Retired business owner and community leader Bob Menzel filed Thursday, filing closed at noon Friday.

Two years ago we called it a horse race when there were nine candidates. But in 2017, there were 11 candidates.

Incumbents who have filed for re-election include Colin Furcht, Michael Osborne and Todd Sansbury. Long-time commissioner Dave Gilroy will not seek re-election.

Former Commissioners Michael Miltich and Thurman Ross have filed to run. Newcomers Robert Carney, Scott Higgins and Susan Johnson have also filed.

There are two candidates for mayor: Incumbent Woody Washam and Commissioner Denis Bilodeau.