The Ballot Brief
Union County, North Carolina

City of Monroe Council

See where Ball, Mills, Petterson, McCoy and Pepper stand on taxes, growth and the budget. Names follow official Union County election filings.

About this race

Three seats are up, decided by plurality (voters pick up to 3). Republicans Parker Mills, Michelle Ball and Heidi Petterson won a six-candidate Republican primary (official results per the Enquirer Journal: Mills 1,371 votes/23.46%, Ball 1,013/17.33%, Petterson 935/16.00%, edging sitting council member Gary Anderson by 5 votes; sitting members James Kerr and Julie Thompson also did not win renomination). Democrat Kensley McCoy and unaffiliated candidate Abigail Pepper each filed with no primary opponent. None of the five November candidates currently holds a council seat.

We use AI to research and write election information. Errors are possible. Verify important details with official sources.

North Carolina › Union County › City of Monroe Council

Michelle Ball

Republican

Top priorities

From other published sources

  • Government transparency, per Enquirer Journal
  • Limiting taxes, per Enquirer Journal
  • Opposing high-density development; child safety concerns, per Enquirer Journal
Biography

Ball is a homeschool educator who has spent her life raising and educating her children at home and now serves as caretaker for her elderly mother, per the campaign site. She has regularly attended and spoken at Monroe City Council meetings over the past three years, per the campaign site.

Campaign site (opens in a new tab)

Parker Mills

Republican

Top priorities

From other published sources

  • A growth moratorium and reduced traffic, per Enquirer Journal
  • Protecting infrastructure and reducing taxes, per Enquirer Journal
  • Supporting public safety, per Enquirer Journal
Biography

Mills is a former Union County commissioner (1990-1998) and a retired small-business owner, per the Enquirer Journal. No campaign website was found as of September 8, 2026.

Heidi Petterson

Republican

Top priorities

From other published sources

  • Opposing high-density housing, per Enquirer Journal
  • Supporting law enforcement and strengthening infrastructure, per Enquirer Journal
  • Reducing the tax burden, per Enquirer Journal
Biography

Petterson is a homeschooling parent with a background in finance and administration, per the Enquirer Journal. No campaign website was found as of September 8, 2026.

Kensley McCoy

Democratic

Top priorities

From other published sources

  • Government accountability and transparency, per press coverage
  • Protecting farmland and rural character alongside responsible growth, per press coverage
Biography

McCoy is a small-business owner and lifelong Monroe resident, per press coverage of the race. No campaign website was found as of September 8, 2026.

Abigail Pepper

Independent

Top priorities

From the campaign site

  • Housing affordability so longtime residents, seniors and working families can stay in Monroe
  • Collaborative governance focused on solutions over political conflict
  • Accessible, year-round responsiveness to constituents
Biography

Abigail Pepper is an unaffiliated candidate for Monroe City Council, per the campaign site.

Campaign site (opens in a new tab)
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Questions about this race

Who is running for City of Monroe Council in 2026?

5 candidates are tracked for City of Monroe Council on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Michelle Ball, Parker Mills, Heidi Petterson, Kensley McCoy and Abigail Pepper. Candidate information follows official Union County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below. See where they stand on taxes, growth and the budget.

When is the City of Monroe Council election in North Carolina?

Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Registration deadlines, early voting dates and mail ballot rules for North Carolina are on the North Carolina election hub at theballotbrief.com.

How do I see my exact Union County ballot?

Enter your ZIP code in the lookup at theballotbrief.com for the statewide and congressional races, or a full street address to add the county, city and district contests for that location.

Verify this race

Candidate roster from official Union County and state election office filings, last verified October 16, 2026. Bios and priorities carry their attribution inline.

Cross-check with the official North Carolina election office, or see the full Union County sample ballot and your exact ballot by address.

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17 tracked races in Union County, North Carolina. Landed here from another county's search? Look up your own ballot below.

Also on your ballot
North Carolina Senate District 35North Carolina House District 55North Carolina House District 68See all 17 Union County races
Candidate profiles
Michelle Ball, full profileParker Mills, full profileHeidi Petterson, full profileKensley McCoy, full profileAbigail Pepper, full profileOfficial North Carolina election office