Matthews commissioner announces bid for town's mayor
Dr. Leon Threatt has served on the board of commissioners in Matthews since 2023. Before that, he served in the U.S. Marine Corps and with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department.
Threatt announced his campaign on Tuesday and held an event discussing future development in the area.
On his campaign website, he says Matthews must not become a space for overflow from the continued growth in Charlotte. Threatt believes that it can be done through careful planning.
Mayor Pro Tem Gina Hoover shared a statement with Queen City News saying she fully supports Threatt's bid for mayor.
I fully support Commissioner Threatt in this endeavor. He has a genuine passion for our town and its citizens, and I believe he will make an excellent Mayor. I wholeheartedly endorse Leon Threatt for Mayor of Matthews.
Gina Hoover, Matthew's Mayor Pro Tem
Queen City News reached out to Mayor John Hidgon for a statement on the announcement and the future developments in Matthews. As of publication, we have not heard back.
Matthews Mayor Hidgon also announced his bid for reelection.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Solve the daily Crossword
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
13 hours ago
- Yahoo
Economy tops NC voters' concerns, doubts about federal help and ‘Beautiful Bill': Emerson College Poll
CHARLOTTE (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — North Carolinians are expressing concern about the current state of the economy, and many say they're feeling the pinch more than they did a year ago. That's one of several takeaways from a recent , which asked residents across North Carolina how they feel about today's most pressing issues. Top concern: It's the economy When asked about the most important issue facing the U.S., the economy (including jobs, inflation, and taxes) topped the list, with 38% of respondents pointing to it as their biggest worry. Second? Threats to democracy at 19%, followed by immigration at 10% and healthcare at 10%. Issues like crime at 8%, housing affordability at 4%, and abortion access at 1.5% ranked lower. Finances feel worse for many A striking 40% of those surveyed said they're worse off financially than they were a year ago. Just 28% said they're doing better, while nearly a third, at 32%, reported no change. This dissatisfaction may also explain the skeptical views on recent policy efforts. 'Big Beautiful Bill' faces mixed reviews When asked about the controversial 'One Big Beautiful Bill Act,' only 30.5% said they believe it will have a positive impact on their lives. Nearly 36% felt it would hurt them, while another 23% weren't sure what kind of effect it would have. Just 10% felt it wouldn't make any difference at all. Hurricane response? The federal response to last year's historic and devastating Hurricane Helene didn't exactly win high marks. A majority gave it lukewarm or poor ratings: 37% said it was 'not so good' 21% called it 'poor' Only 37% considered the response 'good' Split on Trump and deportation Opinions on President Donald Trump's deportation policy were sharply divided. 45% approved 44% disapproved 11% were neutral And in the 2024 Presidential Election? North Carolina voters slightly favored Trump over Vice President Kamala Harris: Trump: 41% Harris: 38% Did not vote: 20% Who was surveyed? The poll reached a broad range of voters across gender, age, and educational lines from 1,000 people across the State of North Carolina: Women made up 55% of respondents The majority, 66%, were white, followed by Black voters at 24%, and Hispanic or Latino at 4.5% The largest age group: 50 to 59-year-olds at 21% 69% took the survey online, while 29% responded via mobile Education: 31% had some college or an associate's degree 26% had a high school diploma or less 22% were college grads, and 14% had postgraduate degrees Why it matters Emerson College Polling, widely respected for its nonpartisan, scientific methods, continues to track how public attitudes shift over time, especially in key swing states like North Carolina. With 2026 midterms on the horizon and economic anxiety still high, these insights could help shape how politicians campaign and how voters decide what matters most. MORE FROM North Carolina Elections Economy tops NC voters' concerns, doubts about federal help and 'Beautiful Bill': Emerson College Poll RNC Chairman Michael Whatley to run for Senate in North Carolina, with Trump's backing Matthews Commissioner Leon Threatt announces mayoral bid; Mayor Higdon responds Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
Michael Whatley to make major announcement in Gastonia on Thursday
GASTONIA, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS/AP) — Big news is expected out of Gastonia this Thursday, as Republican leader Michael Whatley is set to make a major announcement. Michael Whatley, chairman of the national Republican Party, plans to run for an open Senate seat in North Carolina in 2026 with the blessing of President Donald Trump after Trump's daughter-in-law, Lara, passed on the seat. PREVIOUS: RNC Chair Michael Whatley to run for Senate seat Democrats see the race as their top chance to flip a seat in the midterm elections as they try to regain control of the Senate. Republican Sen. Thom Tillis recently made a surprise announcement that he would not run for a third term after clashing with Trump. Whatley's decision was confirmed by two people familiar with his thinking. They were not authorized to discuss the matter publicly before an official announcement and spoke only on condition of anonymity. PREVIOUS: Former Gov. Cooper says Senate run spurred by battle for health care access Trump asked Whatley, who leads the Republican National Committee, to run, according to one of the people. Politico first reported news of Whatley's plans. On his Truth Social platform, Trump posted, 'Mike would make an unbelievable Senator from North Carolina.' The president added, 'So, should Michael Whatley run for the Senate, please let this notification represent my Complete and Total Endorsement.'MORE FROM North Carolina Elections Michael Whatley to make major announcement in Gastonia on Thursday Matthews Commissioner Leon Threatt announces mayoral bid; Mayor Higdon responds Former Gov. Roy Cooper says Senate run spurred by battle for health care access Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
Deschutes County selects interim sheriff after report revealed incumbent's misconduct
PORTLAND, Ore. () — Deschutes County has tapped a new sheriff, just days after the incumbent was stripped of his certification amid a misconduct investigation. On Tuesday, the Board of Commissioners appointed Ty Rupert as new interim sheriff of the Deschutes County Sheriff's Office. He will replace Ken van der Kamp, after his certification was unanimously revoked by the Board of Public Safety Standards and Training last Thursday. Pearl District residents boo Wilson over homeless shelter Van der Kamp was from his role on July 31. The announcement came after the Oregon Department of Public Safety Standards and Training released a report that when claiming he attended the University of Southern California and the University of Arizona. Investigators also determined he had lied about his previous employment at a California police department. In response to the report, Deschutes County District Attorney Steve Gunnels named van der Kamp to the 'Brady list' — which includes law enforcement officers who are believed to have credibility issues or a history of misconduct. His placement also means he can no longer be ethically called to testify in court. Van der Kamp was sworn in as sheriff in January, following his nearly 60% victory over competitor William Bailey in the November 2024 election. County officials reported that he had been with the sheriff's office for more than 20 years, with previous roles as a patrol sergeant, criminal detective and internal affairs investigator. The Oregon State Sheriffs' Association has since from the Board of Directors. Public safety advocates followed suit a month in June, launching a recall campaign for van der Kamp amid the scandal. The Deschutes County Sheriff Employee's Association also directed him to pay back the money he received for legal representation amid last year's election. Salem declares water emergency over Detroit Lake drawdown The county will vote for its next permanent sheriff in May 2026. 'I believe we need to give the Sheriff's Office employees a leader they can believe in and that they can trust and that they can get behind as they are trying to do their important work from day to day for the next 10 months,' Commissioner Phil Chang said on Tuesday. 'Man of them have lived under a cloud, for not just the last seven months, for four years. A dark leadership cloud and it's an incredibly important priority for me to change and give them someone tehy can again believe in and get behind.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Solve the daily Crossword
