Yvette Townsend-Ingram, a Democrat, is seeking a second term as an at-large Mecklenburg County commissioner in the Nov. 3, 2026, general election. Three at-large seats are on the ballot. Arthur Griffin Jr. and Leigh Altman, both Democrats, are also running.

Asked in our candidate questionnaire why she is running, Townsend-Ingram said, "I have lived experiences that give me a unique perspective and expertise in business development and social enrichment that I know I can use to help my community. I want to be a voice for the people of Mecklenburg County that will positively impact their lives."

Candidate information

Name: Townsend-Ingram noted in our questionnaire, "First, my name is Yvette Townsend-Ingram. Benita is my middle name."

Party: Democrat

Office sought: Mecklenburg County Commission, At Large

Family: "I am a divorced mother of two adult sons."

Education: "Doctor of Business Administration(ABD): Leadership Master of Business Administration:Business Management Strayer University Bachelor of Science: BusinessAdministration West Virginia State University"

Occupation: "I currently work as a small business consultant and advisor. I have an extensive history in operations management, both in nonprofit and for profit settings. I have compliance management expertise, grant-writing and management, budget creation and analysis, data analysis and personnel management."

Experience and public service

Townsend-Ingram has served as an at-large Mecklenburg County commissioner since 2024, according to BallotReady profile data. She said in our questionnaire, "This my second term of my first elected office."

Her professional background includes work as a finance administrative budget officer for the city of Charlotte from 2011 to 2014 and in finance budget administration and development at Johnson C. Smith University from 2004 to 2011, according to BallotReady profile data. She also served as director of foundation relations at Johnson C. Smith University from 2022 to 2024 and was founder and principal of Concierge Business, Education & Political Consulting from 2020 to 2024.

Asked what accomplishments qualify her for the job, Townsend-Ingram said in our questionnaire, "I have lived and worked in this community for almost 30 years, experiencing many of the challenges I was elected to change." She cited engagement including "2024 Democratic National Convention Delegate" and being a "Graduate of the Charlotte Civic Leadership Academy, 2021," according to our questionnaire.

The Black Political Caucus of Charlotte-Mecklenburg has endorsed Townsend-Ingram, according to BallotReady.

On the issues

What separates her from opponents: Townsend-Ingram said in our questionnaire, "I call myself the candidate/elected official with Empathy as a superpower. … I don't know of many elected officials that have the experience of standing in line at Crisis Assistance Ministry; asking for help to pay a mortgage, or waiting for weeks to get a check from the broken unemployment system. There is a reason why I am so passionate about so many issues. It's because I am humbled and blessed to have lived through it."

County budget: Asked what she would look at first when reviewing the county budget, given her experience as a city of Charlotte budget officer, Townsend-Ingram said, "The prior year's budget to see if we met budgeting goals and how effectively we supplied resources to our six priorities."

Pressing issues: Townsend-Ingram said in our questionnaire, "I believe the two most important challenges the county commission will continue to address during the next two years is how to pay for services to residents with a funding gap from the state that exceeds $400 million annually. Additionally, we have to address housing insecurity and food insecurity."

Healthcare: Townsend-Ingram said on her campaign website, "Mental healthcare for all, but especially youth, is a crucial priority for me. Mecklenburg County has services available that many in need are not aware of or do not have access to."