Tricia Sisson filed on Thursday with her family
July 21. And…it looks like there will be 11 candidates for the five-member Cornelius Town Commission on the November ballot. “Anti toll conservative” business leader Tricia Sisson filed yesterday to run for the non-partisan governing board. And Magnolia Estates resident Richard Stillwell, who ran for mayor back in 2007, says he will file to run at the Mecklenburg County Board of Elections today.
Stillwell was defeated by former Mayor Jeff Tarte 1,960 to 1,278 10 years ago when Cornelius was something of a political backwater.
Since then, Tarte, and former Commissioners John Bradford and Thom Tillis have gone on to higher office in Raleigh; Tillis to the US Senate.
Sisson, who stated that she is a Republican in her announcement, has the backing of not just Tarte, but political leaders like Huntersville Mayor John Aneralla, County Commissioner Jim Puckett and former Lake Norman Chamber Chair Mike Russell.
Sisson’s campaign is being chaired by Cornelius attorney Erika Erlenbach. Sisson’s campaign manager is her husband Brian Sisson, a former member of the Huntersville Town Board. Long-time business owners—they built The Range at Lake Norman on Bailey Road in 2011—the Sissons moved to Cornelius last year.
Tricia Sisson said she is running to: improve Cornelius’ infrastructure in a managed growth environment, encourage economic development in a business friendly Cornelius, and provide a continued focus on outstanding public safety. She is a long-time community leader and a member of the North Meck Rotary Club which meets at The Peninsula Club.
Stillwell, on his Facebook page, said: “We have to stand up. WE have to dig in and fight. WE need to not back down and WE have to stick together if WE the people are to bring peace, order, civility and equality back to our country.”
After he was defeated by Tarte, Stillwell took out an ad in Cornelius Today congratulating Tarte.
On his Facebook page Stillwell said, “I hereby confirm and avow to do my part for equality by running for Cornelius Town Commissioner in this November 2017 election.”
In a private conversation with Cornelius Today, Stillwell confirmed that he will visit the Board of Elections office in Charlotte this morning.
Filing officially closes at noon today. The incumbents running for re-election are: Jim Duke, Dave Gilroy, Mike Miltich and Thurman Ross. The other contenders are: Denis Bilodeau, Ava Callender, Michelle Ferlauto, Kurt Naas and William Rakatansky.
So far, Woody Washam is running unopposed for mayor. Soon after he filed to run, current Mayor Chuck Travis announced that he would not seek re-election. All of the candidates have stressed their anti-toll credentials in their announcments.
