Phil Matthews' willingness to fully align himself with the new Wake County school board majority may have been what put him over the top in the District 2 GOP primary for county commissioner.

As noted in today's article by Thomas Goldsmith, Matthews ran as a strong supporter of the school board's move to community schools. He bested Phil Jeffreys, who supported mass conversion of schools to a year-round calendar, and Champ Claris, who said he wanted more info from the school board.

"The school board, they were duly elected, they have just been in office a few months, and they are doing what they were elected to do," Matthews said. "I think we need to give them time to put their plan in action."

The Wake County school system is a big issue for the three Republican candidates running in the District 2 primary for county commissioner.

Former Commissioner Phil Jeffreys, who had run-ins with the old school board during his previous tenure, is hoping to regain his seat. His GOP challengers are former Garner Alderman Phil Matthews and Raleigh real estate agent Champ Claris.

The winner will take on Democratic incumbent Lindy Brown in November. At stake could be which party controls the board of commissioners during a time in which the new school board majority will be trying to implement community schools.

UPDATE

Click here for Thursday's article by Thomas Goldsmith about the race. 

Lee Sartain announced today that he is running for one of the two at-large Raleigh City Council seats. Sartain works on education technology issues at the William and Ida Friday Institute for Educational Innovation at N.C. State. He also graduated from NCSU.

Sartain is the fourth person to enter the race for the two at-large seats. The two current at-large members, Russ Stephenson and Mary-Ann Baldwin, are running for re-election. Realtor Champ Claris announced last week that he is also running.

Sartain's announcement said his campaign would focus on growing new jobs, comprehensive public transportation and strong neighborhoods:

“Raleigh’s high quality of life and embrace of education, technology, and innovation has led to rapid growth over the last twenty years. More people are calling Raleigh home than ever, and the pace is not expected to slow. This growth has also placed us at a crossroads, and Raleigh must take several strategic steps to ensure a bright future. Stepping up job growth downtown, building strong neighborhoods, and building a reliable transportation system will ensure that Raleigh is a destination city for years to come.”

Sartain also wants to create something called the Raleigh Innovation and Technology Zone in downtown Raleigh. He says it would be an economic development zone designed to compliment and model the success of the Research Triangle Park.

Local realtor Champ Claris announced today that he is running for one of the two at-large seats on the Raleigh City Council. The two at-large seats are currently held by Russ Stephenson and Mary-Ann Baldwin, both of whom have already said they will seek re-election.

An e-mail announcing Claris’ candidacy says that “Champ believes his fresh perspective on our issues and responsible approach to government spending will greatly benefit the City of Raleigh. He looks forward to leading a renewed focus on common sense priorities such as: strengthening our economy, reducing crime, improving our roads, and protecting our water supply and natural resources.”

Claris also said, if elected, that he would focus on reducing taxes, improving
public safety, and making Raleigh government more efficient.

Claris grew up in eastern North Carolina and has lived in Raleigh for the last 14 years. He attended N.C. State. Since 2003 he has worked for York Simpson
Underwood.