Local Politics
Political 'Power Couple' to Be Sworn in This Week
On Monday, Raleigh Mayor Charles Meeker will be sworn in for his fourth term. This time around, he's not the only one in the family getting ready to take office in Wake County.
Posted — UpdatedRALEIGH, N.C. — On Monday, Raleigh Mayor Charles Meeker will be sworn in for his fourth term. This time around, he's not the only one in the family getting ready to take office in Wake County.
Anne McLaurin, Meeker's wife, this week becomes a member of the Wake County Board of Education.
Some might call them Wake County's newest political power couple.
“I’m not sure we’re really powerful. I think we’re going to work hard at what we’re doing. That’s what we’re committed to,” McLaurin said.
Meeker has been in the public eye the most as the 37th mayor of Raleigh, elected this year to his fourth two-year term.
Fewer people are likely to know McLaurin. She had only one previous bout with politics, besides helping her husband's campaign.
“I ran for my junior class president in high school. ... I won!” she said.
McLaurin, a family-care doctor, is taking the seat vacated by Susan Parry. She is one of the two new school board members who will be sworn in on Tuesday.
“She’s a natural at politics. [She’s] got that winning smile,” Meeker said. “[She also has a] very strong resolve, so the other board members can just give up and do it her way.”
Political leaders said they think this is the third time in Wake County that a husband and wife team have held major political offices at the same time.
“It’s the kind of power couple at the local level that you don’t normally see,” said Barlow Herget with the Wake County Democratic Party.
Both husband and wife said they have a vision for where they want the city and the county to go.
“It’s going to be a county where every child has the opportunity for the best education,” McLaurin said.
“Our goal is to become one of the most successful cities of the 21st century,” Meeker said.
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