Ahead of the primary elections, the Wake Forest College Democrats hosted a “Cookies and Candidates” forum on Feb. 3 with Democratic candidates running for office in Forsyth County. About 25 students attended the event in Kirby 109, which featured Board of Education candidate Howard Claggett, District Attorney candidate Amara Hunter, Board of Education candidate Chenita Barber Johnson, Commissioner At-Large candidate Quamekia Shavers and District Court judge candidate Lauren Tuttle.

Rather than a traditional panel, the forum ran as a “round-robin” conversation. Students sat in groups of four to six, and candidates rotated groups every ten minutes to introduce themselves, outline their priorities and respond to questions. Organizers and participants said this setting allowed students and candidates alike to experience a more accessible and personal side of local politics.

Sophomore Katharine Whatley, communications director for the Wake Forest College Democrats, said that the forum could help demystify local politics, particularly for students who may be voting out of their home state. She noted that many voters default to party-line decisions without understanding where local candidates stand. Smaller, face-to-face conversations, Whatley said, make candidates feel more accessible and allow students to ask direct questions.

“I thought this went really well,” Whatley said. “I definitely think a lot of people really connected with the candidates.”

Board of Education candidate Howard Claggett said he also appreciated the face-to-face format of the forum. “This is who I am,” he said, smiling.

Howard Claggett runs for Board of Education

Howard Claggett, running to represent District 1 on the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools (WS/FCS) Board of Education, highlighted his experience working with facilities and operations at over 20 schools in the district. Claggett said he’s adept at “getting things done” and recounted a time he led an initiative to build a sidewalk at a local school.

Claggett called for stronger oversight of the superintendent, more equitable personnel decisions and a rebalancing of district finances away from what he described as a “top-heavy” administration and toward classroom support and teacher retention.

“You have to fight for what you want in this district,” he said. “The first thing everybody else is calling is no money. There’s plenty of money. But you just have to fight and push push push.” 

Amara Hunter runs for district attorney

Amara Hunter, candidate for District Attorney, drew on her background as a former Detroit police officer, prosecutor and public defender in Detroit. Hunter said she entered the race because she believes the criminal system too often leaves young people burdened with criminal records for low-level offenses that limit their access to college aid, employment and housing. 

She advocates for expanded youth diversion programs and alternatives to incarceration, noting poor conditions and overcrowding in N.C. jails. Hunter argued that prosecutors have the power to shape life outcomes and should use that discretion to create second chances. She summarized her campaign message bluntly: she believes the criminal system in Forsyth County must “do better.”

Chenita Barber Johnson runs for Board of Education

Chenita Barber Johnson, a lifelong Winston-Salem resident running to represent District 1 on the Board of Education, focuses her campaign on transparency, financial oversight and literacy outcomes. 

“Basically, my main issue is the fact that our children are not getting their education,” Johnson said.

Johnson also pointed to what she described as a disconnect between rising graduation rates and continued reading struggles among younger students. In her view, the board must improve communication with families and revisit long-standing school zoning patterns to ensure fair access to resources.

Quamekia Shavers runs for commissioner at-large

Commissioner At-Large candidate Quamekia Shavers said she is prioritizing education, civic engagement and public health and safety in her campaign. She highlighted her experience as a business owner of Shavers Lewis Realty, LLC, with a master’s degree in education from American InterContinental University. Shavers also noted that she regularly volunteers around Winston-Salem, including as a mentor for students who are at risk of dropping out of high school. Shavers described her organization and advocacy experience as providing her with “transferable skills” for public office.

Shavers also founded a nonpartisan initiative called “Pink Vote” that aims to expand voter turnout among people of color. 

“I just wanted to encourage people that look like me to vote,” Shavers said. 

Lauren Tuttle runs for district court judge

Lauren Tuttle, who is running for District Court judge in the 31st Judicial District, spoke about her courtroom experience as a public defender, as well as her earlier work in private practice handling criminal and civil matters, including family law, child custody, landlord-tenant disputes and child support disputes. 

“What I do means a lot to me, and justice means a lot to me,” Tuttle said. “There’s a lot of things that don’t work about our judiciary, but it’s the one that we have… It’s not about reinventing the wheel. It’s about making it turn the most efficiently, the most equitably and the most empathetically.”

Future forums

Wake Forest College Democrats will hold two additional forums this week in Kirby 109. Students can meet candidates running in the Democratic primary for N.C.’s 10th Congressional District on Feb. 10. On Feb. 11, additional primary candidates for Forsyth County offices, including commissioner and board of education seats, will meet with students.