Influential Black Political Caucus declines to endorse embattled Rep. Cunningham
The influential Black Political Caucus of Charlotte-Mecklenburg is backing challengers in some of the region’s most closely watched primary elections.
The caucus, considered by local political experts to be one of Charlotte’s most influential groups, announced its coveted endorsements for March races this week.
The BPC endorsed the Rev. Rodney Sadler in his Democratic primary challenge against incumbent state Rep. Carla Cunningham in north Charlotte’s House District 106. Cunningham is fighting to keep her seat after drawing ire from fellow Democrats last year for voting with Republicans on a veto override and controversial comments about immigration.
The BPC also backed longtime political strategist Monifa Drayton in her bid to oust veteran Mecklenburg County Commissioner Vilma Leake in west Charlotte’s District 2. It’s the second-straight election cycle when the BPC has endorsed Leake’s primary challenger.
The caucus did endorse two embattled Democratic incumbents also facing primary challengers: Mecklenburg County Sheriff Garry McFadden and District 99 state House Rep. Nasif Majeed.
The State Bureau of Investigation is looking into allegations of misconduct against McFadden after Cunningham and a group of former employees filed a petition to remove him from office. The petition was dismissed by a judge, but it could be revived based on the results of the SBI investigation.
Majeed, like Cunningham, faces multiple challengers after siding with Republicans on a veto override vote.
Elsewhere on the Mecklenburg County Commission, the BPC endorsed incumbent Democrats Leigh Altman, Arthur Griffin and Yvette Townsend-Ingram for the board’s at-large seats and George Dunlap in District 3. The caucus backed attorney Morris “Mac” McAdoo in a three-person Democratic primary to succeed Elaine Powell in north Mecklenburg’s District 1.
Former Gov. Roy Cooper got the BPC’s nod in the Democratic primary for North Carolina’s open U.S. Senate seat.
The caucus endorsed U.S. Rep. Alma Adams in her Democratic primary for the Charlotte area’s 12th Congressional District, as well as Democratic challengers Colby Watson in the 8th Congressional District and LaKesha Womack in the 14th Congressional District.
The BPC also endorsed judicial candidates Habekah Cannon, George Guise and Christine Marie Walczyk.
Primary Election Day is March 3. Winners will advance to the November general election.
This story was originally published January 27, 2026 at 10:31 AM with the headline "Influential Black Political Caucus declines to endorse embattled Rep. Cunningham."
