WFAE
Mecklenburg County commissioners were surprised Ella Scarborough ran for reelection last year. She finished with more votes than any other Commission candidate.
Mecklenburg County Commissioner Ella Scarborough is an icon in local politics as the first African American woman elected to the Charlotte City Council, in 1987.
But in recent years, Scarborough, who is 75, has been struggling to participate in meetings and follow discussions, according to six current and former commissioners.
They declined to speak on the record because they don’t want to tarnish Scarborough's distinguished career.
Because of Scarborough's health, they said they were surprised she ran for reelection as an at-large candidate in 2020.