Triad Power Ranking: Sept. 24, 2014

3. Greensboro

Did you realize that there’s an election coming up in about a month — even sooner if you factor in early voting, which begins on Oct. 23 this year? It’s a big deal, though Greensboro may be the least affected by it. On top of the ticket is the race for the US Congressional District 6 seat between Mark Walker and Laura Fjeld; an at-large county commission race between Larry Proctor and Kay Cashion fills out the undercard. The city gets a piece of a few state races, but redistricting has carved the Gate City up into pieces, and most of the rest run unopposed.

2. Winston-Salem

Bar none, the most significant race in Forsyth is the at-large race for Forsyth County Commission between Republican incumbent Bill Whiteheart and Democratic challenger Ted Kaplan. A Kaplan win could swing the direction of the commission, considering that moderate Don Martin unseated conservative Republican Mark Baker in the Republican primary. Moderate Republican Dave Plyler often votes with Walter Marshall and Everette Witherspoon, the board’s two Democrats. Add Martin and Kaplan and you have a new 5-4 majority. The at-large race is extremely competitive considering the Democrats’ advantage in voter registration and the fact that Kaplan has held the seat before. He was also elected to the state House in 1976, so he has pretty awesome name recognition.

1. High Point

Many of these state and federal races affect the city of High Point, but the most important Triad election this year will be the High Point City Council race, where three longtime incumbents have announced they will not run for re-election, including former Mayor Bernita Sims who resigned two weeks ago just before becoming a felon. This race has the potential to transform the Triad’s smallest city, or to reinforce the perception that the few for whom High Point is working hold sway over those for whom it isn’t.