Susan Marie Rodriguez-Mcdowell

Susan Rodriguez‑McDowell is the incumbent Democratic commissioner for District 6 on the Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners, a body that sets county policy, adopts the annual budget, and oversees a wide range of local services. She is seeking a fifth term in the November 3, 2026 general election, and the Democratic primary for the seat was cancelled, allowing her to advance automatically to the ballot ¹.

Rodriguez‑McDowell first won election to the board in 2018 (her first elected office) and began serving in 2019; her current term is scheduled to end on December 2, 2026 ¹⁴. She was re‑elected in 2022 with 52.5 % of the vote (38,873 votes) over Republican Jeremy Brasch, and again in 2024 with 53 % (57,087 votes) against Republican Jim Marascio ¹.

Born in New York and raised in Albuquerque, New Mexico, she earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and a master’s degree in counseling from Colorado Christian University in Morrison, Colorado ⁴. Before entering public office, she worked as an operations manager for the Charlotte branch of a national graphic‑arts supply dealer, served as director of counseling services for Colorado Christian University, and ran two small businesses as principal ⁴. She is married to Gavin and they have three adult children ⁴.

During her tenure on the board, Commissioner Rodriguez‑McDowell has been appointed chair of the Economic Development Committee, where she has led efforts to attract high‑paying jobs, support small‑business growth, and keep property taxes stable for residents ⁴¹¹. Her campaign platform highlights several accomplishments: the establishment of universal pre‑K, expansion of parks, greenways and nature preserves, a robust environmental action plan, full funding for students and educators, initiatives to reduce crime and violence, and the passage of a countywide non‑discrimination ordinance. She also advocates for reproductive rights, immigrant inclusion, and fair immigration reform ¹¹.

As a commissioner, Rodriguez‑McDowell’s responsibilities include voting on the county budget, shaping land‑use and zoning policies, overseeing public safety and health services, and representing the interests of District 6 residents in board deliberations. Her ongoing re‑election campaign emphasizes continued affordable‑housing initiatives, economic development, and protecting the county’s air and water quality ¹¹.

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