The New Hanover County Democratic Party said it will again hold a straw poll this summer to establish which Democratic candidates it will support in the municipal elections.
The decision was triggered in part by Mayor Bill Saffo’s announcement that he would seek reelection. Saffo, the city’s longest-serving mayor, had prevaricated for months after former New Hanover County Commissioner Jonathan Barfield announced his campaign for mayor in February. Barfield recently lost a close reelection race for his fifth term as a New Hanover County commissioner.
There are also at least four potential Democratic city council candidates running for three seats – incumbent Clifford Barnett Sr.; Chakema Quintana, a community advocate and director of Live Oak Bank’s Channel; Cassidy Santaguida, who ran for county commissioner in 2024; and former city planning commission member J.C. Lyle…