‘A city that works for everyone’: Janet Cowell, Raleigh’s new mayor, takes office
A familiar face in Raleigh has officially returned to the City Council as mayor for the next two years.
Janet Cowell took her oath of office Monday night in a ceremony with the seven other council members, including newcomer Mitchell Silver, a former Raleigh planning director who was elected in November.
Cowell told the crowd at Meymandi Concert Hall her return to the City Council was a “full circle” moment.
Cowell’s first elected position was in 2001. She served two terms on the City Council before she was elected to the state Senate and later as North Carolina’s state treasurer. Most recently, she served as the chief executive officer of the Dix Park Conservancy.
She was joined Monday by her mother, Norma Cowell, who held their family’s bible as she took her oath.
“One of the greatest gifts I hope to bring as mayor of the city is the gift that I got from my family,” she said, “which is that sense of you belong, you matter, giving me enough support and encouragement that I can spread my wings, continue to make mistakes, flourish and thrive.”
Cowell said she wants everyone in Raleigh to “feel that sense of belonging, inclusion and that this is a city that works for everyone.”
Cowell said she looked forward to working with the council on matters like housing, affordability, public safety, transportation and the environment, one of her campaign platforms.
“As we grow and become denser, environmental tree protection, creeks, even before Hurricane Helene hit, we all know there (are) bigger and stronger storms and Raleigh needs to be ready,” Cowell said.
A bright future for Raleigh
Each council member was sworn in by Superior Court Judge Paul Ridgeway, who said it was “tremendously exciting” to see the council members take their oaths.
“(They) have graced this city with their services, their commitment, their intelligence, their enthusiasm as council members and mayor of the great city of Raleigh,” Ridgeway said. “The future looks very bright with people like this.”
Cowell, in her remarks, also thanked past Raleigh mayors Nancy McFarlane, Charles Meeker and outgoing Mayor Mary-Ann Baldwin, who had a 15-year run on the Raleigh City Council, for their leadership.
Baldwin chose not to run for reelection this November after serving two terms as mayor.
“Mayor is no easy job at any time,” Cowell said. “Mayor Baldwin really had some challenging moments in the last five years (with) the aftermath of COVID and the aftermath of George Floyd’s murder, which has consequences for cities and communities. … She steered the city through that time, and I want to thank her for all that dedication.”
Baldwin gave the call to order during the ceremony and wished the mayor and other council members well.
Council members Christina Jones, Megan Patton, Jane Harrison, Corey Branch, Jonathan Melton and Stormie Forte won their re-elections. Former Councilwoman Mary Black lost her seat to Silver, who will now serve District A.
“Twenty years ago, the city wasn’t as diverse as it is now, and I think that is a real strength of change,” Cowell said. “This is an incredibly diverse set individuals, with very different perspectives and experiences, and that will make the city stronger.”
The new council’s first meeting is Tuesday, Dec. 3.
This story was originally published December 2, 2024 at 8:46 PM.