Ashley Fahey | The Charlotte Ledger

Celebrations at the Mecklenburg County Democratic Party’s watch party on Tuesday night began early in the evening, when Democrat Roy Cooper was called to win his race for U.S. Senate, replacing retiring Republican Sen. Thom Tillis and flipping the seat blue — a crucial win for Democrats, who took control of the U.S. Senate later on Tuesday night.

As areas beyond Mecklenburg County boom, local government leaders are devising new strategies to manage growth — and fierce opposition from constituents.