2025 Concord Mayor Candidates Face Key Questions on Safety and Growth

Key Issues Facing Concord

Voting in this year’s municipal elections is already underway across North Carolina, with the city of Concord focusing on electing a mayor and council members for multiple districts in the 2025 general election. Early in-person voting has already begun and will end on November 1, with Election Day set for Tuesday, November 4.

WBTV reached out to Concord’s mayoral candidates to get responses to important questions ahead of Election Day. Below are the responses from three candidates, each addressing key issues facing the community.

Lori Ann Clay: Focus on Infrastructure and Sustainable Growth

Top Two Issues Facing the Community

Lori Ann Clay identifies infrastructure strain and uncontrolled growth as the two main challenges facing Concord. She emphasizes that the city's recent growth has put pressure on its sewer system, roads, and schools. She believes that past mayors and councils have not planned adequately for these strains, leading to an imbalance between development and community needs.

To address this, she advocates for smart, managed growth that preserves Concord’s small-town charm while ensuring sustainable development. She proposes establishing advisory committees and public discussion forums to involve residents in development decisions, ensuring that growth benefits everyone rather than just developers.

Housing Affordability and Growth

Clay highlights the importance of housing affordability for community success. She supports the WeBuild Concord initiative, which focuses on building affordable housing. She also advocates for continued collaboration between local developers and non-profits to increase the availability of quality, sustainable housing options.

She supports smart growth that balances development with infrastructure needs, ensuring that investments in infrastructure and community services are made wisely to maintain the quality of life for future generations.

Population Growth and Benefits/Challenges

Concord is experiencing significant population growth, bringing both opportunities and challenges. Clay believes that growth can be managed responsibly, preserving the city’s character while avoiding the burden of out-of-control expansion. She plans to work with regional partners like the Centralina Council to ensure that all municipalities collaborate for common goals.

Public Safety

Clay takes public safety seriously, recalling her own experience with a home break-in. She supports strong funding for law enforcement and emergency services, emphasizing the need for modern technology, equipment, and recruitment initiatives. She also plans to host public forums to build trust between citizens and emergency responders.

Alyce K. Williams: Addressing Food Insecurity and Supporting Small Businesses

Top Two Issues Facing the Community

Alyce K. Williams highlights food insecurity and the need to attract businesses as critical issues. She points out that food deserts exist in underserved communities, impacting health and economic stability. Her plan includes organizing community gardens, partnering with grocers for safe unsold food, and continuing relationships with food banks.

She also aims to support small businesses by creating a city-supported entrepreneurship initiative that provides access to capital, training, and mentorship. This initiative will focus on equitable access to resources, helping businesses thrive and create jobs.

Housing Affordability and Growth

Williams recognizes that housing costs are outpacing wage growth, making affordability a pressing issue. She commits to working with residents, developers, and experts to identify responsible strategies for long-term housing stability. She emphasizes the need for data-driven planning and community engagement to preserve neighborhood character while expanding access to affordable housing.

Population Growth and Benefits/Challenges

Williams sees population growth as an opportunity but stresses the need for responsible management. She plans to require developers to contribute to necessary infrastructure improvements and encourage the development of affordable and mixed-use housing near transit and employment centers. She also emphasizes robust community engagement in the planning process.

Public Safety

Williams supports a proactive approach to public safety, investing in programs that address the root causes of crime, such as after-school activities and youth outreach. She believes strengthening community partnerships can enhance public safety and reduce future involvement in the criminal justice system.

Stephen (Steve) Morris: Emphasizing Housing Affordability and Smart Growth

Housing Affordability and Growth

Morris highlights the interconnectedness of housing affordability and regional growth. He supports the We Build Concord program, which creates affordable housing opportunities and strengthens community stability. He worked on the Cabarrus County Commission to direct funds toward affordable housing projects, including a revolving loan fund for builders and developers.

He emphasizes a balanced approach to housing that addresses the needs of all income levels, from workforce housing to market-rate options. He believes that affordable housing is essential for economic development, as employers are more likely to locate in communities where employees can find quality homes nearby.

Population Growth and Benefits/Challenges

Morris acknowledges the benefits of population growth, such as economic vitality and investment, but stresses the need for well-planned and financially sustainable growth. He believes that new developments should contribute to infrastructure and public services, preventing existing taxpayers from bearing additional costs.

He supports strategic planning and coordination between city departments, developers, and regional partners to prevent congestion and protect green spaces. Investments in transportation, water and sewer systems, and public amenities must be guided by long-term planning.

Public Safety

Morris emphasizes the importance of maintaining and strengthening public safety departments. He supports competitive wages and benefits for police, fire, and EMS professionals, ensuring staffing levels keep pace with population growth. He also proposes a public safety training facility in partnership with Cabarrus County and neighboring municipalities to enhance coordination and preparedness.

Voter Information for North Carolina

North Carolina voters can find their polling place by visiting the official website. To see a sample of your ballot, use the North Carolina State Board of Elections website. Registered voters can access their specific voter details, including polling place, sample ballot, absentee ballot information, and voter history through the Voter Search portal.

There are three ways to register to vote in North Carolina: online, by mail, or at the North Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles. The deadline to register for the November 4 election was October 10, 2025, but eligible residents can register in person during the early voting period using same-day registration.

For those voting by mail, completed absentee ballots can be dropped off at the county board of elections office or delivered to an early voting site during open hours. More election coverage is available on the official website.