Wendy Jacobs

Education As a former educator, I believe that a thriving, fully-funded public school system is essential for our County’s success. But it’s just one piece of the puzzle. I believe in a ''cradle to career'' approach to economic wellbeing. It starts with equitable healthcare for pregnant people, then programs for families with newborns. Our children deserve high-quality pre-K and schools, and our young people need great job opportunities. I will continue to fight for economic opportunity for every young person. Criminal Justice / Public Safety I’m a collaborative leader working across the City and County to make sure that all of us have access to the care we need, when we need it. I believe that we must address systemic injustices by investing in resources for people who use substances, struggle with mental illness, and/or are involved in the criminal justice system. These resources should be community-based, outside of the justice system. They must be evidence-based and trauma-informed. Housing We need a collaborative approach to create more affordable housing in Durham. As Commissioner, I’ve led the way by working with the City of Durham and Housing for New Hope to preserve affordable housing units and create new permanent supportive housing. And as a former planning commissioner, I will continue to bring my expertise around land use to our housing work. Civil Rights As your County Commissioner, I believe local government can be a force for good and can address social, racial, and economic injustices. I collaborate with people across our community to improve access to housing, education, economic opportunities, and healthcare.