Ken McCool’s Campaign Launch Exposes a Troubling Truth: “He Will Sell You Out”

Matthews Commissioner Ken McCool’s announcement to run for House District 105 in 2026 was met with a resounding warning from residents: “he will sell you out.” This stark accusation, shouted during his campaign launch, encapsulates the deep distrust that the people of Matthews feel toward McCool’s leadership. Residents fear his developer-driven agenda will betray their communities, prioritizing profit over their neighborhoods and quality of life. Below, we outline why McCool’s candidacy has sparked such fierce opposition and why voters should reject a candidate accused of selling out House District 105.

“He Will Sell You Out”: A Community’s Betrayal

At McCool’s campaign announcement, residents unleashed a torrent of frustration, with one citizen’s cry of “he will sell you out” cutting to the heart of their concerns. This wasn’t a vague complaint—it was a direct accusation that McCool’s priorities favor developers over the families of House District 105. Residents accused him of “ruining your neighborhoods” and “exploiting the land and catering to developers,” warning that his leadership would “turn Matthews into Midlands, Texas” and “tear down all the trees.” Another passionately declared, “This is my town,” rejecting McCool’s vision as a threat to their community’s identity.

The charge of “selling out the residents” reflects a broader fear: McCool’s track record as a commissioner shows he’s more aligned with corporate interests than with the people he claims to serve. When he claimed to be “fighting for what actually matters. Lowering costs,” a resident shot back, “not traffic,” exposing his disconnect from the daily struggles of commuters in Matthews and beyond. The message was clear: residents believe McCool will sell out their interests to developers, leaving neighborhoods overbuilt and communities ignored.

A Developer’s Ally, Not a Resident’s Champion

The accusation that “he will sell you out” is rooted in McCool’s record as a Matthews commissioner. Elected at age 21 and now in his third term, McCool has positioned himself as a fresh voice, using platforms like TikTok to appeal to younger voters. Yet, his actions tell a different story. In a 2023 candidate profile, McCool claimed to support “responsible development” and preserving “tree save and green space.” Still, residents point to his votes in favor of large-scale development projects that strain infrastructure and threaten the character of House District 105. These projects, often backed by powerful developers, have fueled fears that McCool’s leadership would prioritize profit over people, “exploiting the land” and erasing the green spaces that define Matthews.

Traffic, a pressing issue in Mecklenburg County, is another area where McCool’s priorities falter. His dismissal of a resident’s plea about traffic congestion suggests he’s more interested in developer-friendly policies than addressing the gridlock that frustrates residents daily. His opposition to a transportation tax bill—supported by Rep. Tricia Cotham and passed by the House Finance Committee to fund road, rail, and bus projects—further undermines his claims of fighting for the community. Residents’ fears that McCool will “sell you out” stem from this pattern: a commissioner who talks about community needs but consistently sides with developers, leaving neighborhoods vulnerable.

Why Voters Should Say No to McCool in 2026

The resident outcry at McCool’s announcement—“he will sell you out”—is a warning voters cannot ignore. House District 105 deserves a representative who puts residents first, not one accused of “selling out the residents” to corporate interests. McCool’s vision, which residents fear would “tear down all the trees” and “ruin your neighborhoods,” threatens to transform Matthews, Mint Hill, and south Charlotte into an overdeveloped sprawl, sacrificing community identity for developer profits. His failure to address traffic concerns, despite residents’ pleas, only deepens the distrust.

In contrast, Rep. Tricia Cotham has shown a commitment to practical solutions, such as her support for the transportation tax bill to ease congestion in Mecklenburg County. While McCool dismisses the issues that matter to residents, Cotham listens and acts. Voters in 2026 must reject McCool’s developer-driven agenda and choose leadership that honors the resident who declared, “This is my town.” House District 105 is not for sale, and McCool’s record proves he’s not the leader to protect it.

Say no to Ken McCool and his sell-out agenda.