Position Sought
Orange County Board of Commissioners, At-Large
Party Affiliation
Democrat
Location
North Carolina
Date of Primary Election
March 3, 2026
Primary Election Donation Limit
$6800
Date of General Election
November 3, 2026
General Election Donation Limit
$6800
Race/Ethnicity
White/Caucasian
Gender Identity
Cisgender Woman
Sexual Orientation
Bisexual
Pronouns
She/Her/Hers
Connect with Karen Stegman
Karen will be the first out LGBTQ+ woman on the Orange County Board of Commissioners!
Biography
Karen Stegman is a Tar Heel. She was born and raised in Orange County, NC, and has built her career in the non-profit sector there, as well. Growing up in Chapel Hill, her family taught her the importance of an equitable and just community and the role that government plays in creating it. During her eight years serving on the Chapel Hill Town Council, she was a consistent and reliable voice for making the town more sustainable, affordable, and accessible to all. Ensuring a bright future for the community became even more important once Karen began raising two children with her wife Alyson Grine, a NC Superior Court Judge. Karen is committed to housing with dignity for all, a reliable safety net for every resident, thriving public schools, stewardship of the County’s natural land and resources, and economic development that reflects its unique assets and values.