Board of Commissioners - Matthews NC

John earned a bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering from North Carolina State University. He lives in Matthews with his wife Penny. They have two adult children and are members at Matthews United Methodist Church. 

John works as the director of standards development at IAPMO. 

John Higdon - Ballotpedia

Matthews mayor announces bid for reelection

John is currently the mayor of Matthews. He was first elected in 2019 and is currently serving his second term. Before becoming mayor, he served three terms as a Matthews Town Commissioner.

Said, "I am passionate about being fiscally responsible. I pledge to continue my track record (I am serving in my third term as a Matthews Town Commissioner) of using taxpayers' money in an effective and non-wasteful manner."

Supports "responsible, conservative fiscal management that meets Matthews residents' evolving needs."

- Said, "I am passionate about being fiscally responsible. I pledge to continue my track record (I am serving in my third term as a Matthews Town Commissioner) of using taxpayers' money in an effective and non-wasteful manner."
- Supports "responsible, conservative fiscal management that meets Matthews residents' evolving needs."

Economy

Supports incentivizing developers to preserve trees and plans to encourage purchasing land for future parks.

Plans to continue "robust community input" in planning and building Purser-Hulsey Park.

Wants to implement a formal employee retention strategy to sustain the municipal workforce.

Supports strengthening tree and development ordinances with special protections for legacy trees and natural buffers.

Supports partnering with the Matthews Community Farmers' Market to ensure a vibrant future for downtown Matthews.

- Supports incentivizing developers to preserve trees and plans to encourage purchasing land for future parks.
- Plans to continue "robust community input" in planning and building Purser-Hulsey Park.
- Wants to implement a formal employee retention strategy to sustain the municipal workforce.
- Supports strengthening tree and development ordinances with special protections for legacy trees and natural buffers.
- Supports partnering with the Matthews Community Farmers' Market to ensure a vibrant future for downtown Matthews.

Public Services

As of September 4, 2025, John Higdon’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Housing & Urban Development

As mayor, improved public safety initiatives.

- As mayor, improved public safety initiatives.

Public Safety

Plans to work with the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) to prioritize upcoming road projects to minimize disruption for citizens.

- Plans to work with the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) to prioritize upcoming road projects to minimize disruption for citizens.

Transportation & Infrastructure

As mayor, plans to re-establish a strong and collaborative working relationship with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg school system.

Supports the construction of new educational facilities, including Matthews Elementary and Discovery Place Kids Museum STEM enclave.

- As mayor, plans to re-establish a strong and collaborative working relationship with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg school system.
- Supports the construction of new educational facilities, including Matthews Elementary and Discovery Place Kids Museum STEM enclave.

Education

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John Higdon

- Said, "I am passionate about being fiscally responsible. I pledge to continue my track record (I am serving in my third term as a Matthews Town Commissioner) of using taxpayers' money in an effective and non-wasteful manner."

- Supports incentivizing developers to preserve trees and plans to encourage purchasing land for future parks.

- As mayor, plans to re-establish a strong and collaborative working relationship with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg school system.

Walter Ley

Leon is a graduate of the International Bible Seminary where he holds a bacheor's degree in theology, a master’s degree in ministry and a doctorate of practical theology from the Master’s School of Divinity. Leon and his wife, Carol, have been married for 43 years and have three children and eight grandchildren. They founded and currently pastor Christian Faith Center of Charlotte.

Leon is a pastor at his church. He previously served honorably in the U.S. Marine Corps for ten years and worked as a police officer with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department for eight and a half years. He has also served as a police chaplain.

Threatt outlines platform for Matthews mayor campaign | Mmhweekly ...

Dr. Leon Threatt is currently serving his first term on the Matthews Board of Commissioners. He was elected in November 2023. 

Believes in encouraging local entrepreneurship and attracting quality businesses that will invest in Matthews long term.

- Believes in encouraging local entrepreneurship and attracting quality businesses that will invest in Matthews long term.

Plans to encourage the Board of Commissioners to create a community taskforce to evaluate town departments and recommend improvements for efficiency.

Plans to create a committee or task force of volunteers to help examine innovative ways to make public information more accessible without violating personal confidentiality.

- Plans to encourage the Board of Commissioners to create a community taskforce to evaluate town departments and recommend improvements for efficiency.
- Plans to create a committee or task force of volunteers to help examine innovative ways to make public information more accessible without violating personal confidentiality.

Supports prioritizing and protecting single-family homes, but believes higher density housing, such as duplexes, triplexes, townhomes, and apartments, can exist in Matthews if they are in the "right location."

- Supports prioritizing and protecting single-family homes, but believes higher density housing, such as duplexes, triplexes, townhomes, and apartments, can exist in Matthews if they are in the "right location."

Supports providing police and emergency services with resources and training to ensure public safety.

- Supports providing police and emergency services with resources and training to ensure public safety.

Believes in regional collaboration to address safety and traffic concerns, and plans to work with local governments and the NC Department of Transportation.

- Believes in regional collaboration to address safety and traffic concerns, and plans to work with local governments and the NC Department of Transportation.

As of September 4, 2025, Leon Threatt’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Leon Threatt

Dr. Leon Threatt is a native North Carolinian. He served honorably in the U.S. Marine Corps for ten years, and eight and half years as a Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Officer. He is a graduate of the International Bible Seminary where he holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Theology, a Master’s Degree in Ministry and a Doctorate of Practical Theology from the Master’s School of Divinity. Dr. Threatt and Carol have been married for 43 years and are blessed with three children and eight grandchildren. They founded and currently pastor Christian Faith Center of Charlotte where they have faithfully served for over 37 years.

Leon is a pastor at his church. He previously served honorably in the U.S. Marine Corps for ten years and worked as a police officer with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department for eight and a half years. He has also served as a police chaplain and an elected commissioner for Matthews.

As of September 4, 2025, Leon Threatt did not have a website or any information online.

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- The mayor leads the executive branch of local government, presiding over city council meetings, making sure city departments run smoothly, and providing services to citizens. 
- The mayor attends and runs City Council meetings, serving as an important leader for how local laws get set. These laws affect local services, such as Police, City Planning, Parks & Recreation, and Transportation.  
- The Mayor in some circumstances may vote to break a tie in council meetings. They do not have veto power.