One of these people could be Raleigh’s next mayor. A look at the City Council candidates.
While Raleigh voters will have the chance to help pick a new president and governor this fall, another election much closer to home is also underway.
Raleigh voters will pick a new mayor and new City Council members this November. The eight-member council, including the mayor, oversees the city’s police, fire, traffic, trash and water departments, determines how the city should grow and sets the local property tax rate.
Two-term Mayor Mary-Ann Baldwin announced she would not seek a third term after being diagnosed with breast cancer and with members of her family needing medical treatment.
All eight seats are up for grabs on the council, with all the incumbents except for Baldwin seeking another two-year term.
Election day is Nov. 5. The filing period for candidates ends at noon July 19. Filing is also underway for some seats on the Wake County Board of Education.
If you’re a candidate who has a campaign website but do not see it listed next to your name, please email reporter Anna Roman at amroman@newsobserver.com.
Mayor
The mayor is elected citywide and, generally, has the same powers as other council members.
Here are the candidates who have filed so far:
- Janet Cowell, former Raleigh City Council member and state treasurer, janetcowellformayor.com
- Paul Fitts, mortgage broker, fittsforraleigh.com
- Eugene Myrick, community advocate, myrickformayor.com
Terrance Ruth, N.C. State University professor, truthforraleigh.org
- James Shaughnessy IV, pre-law student, shaughnessy4you.com
Council member Corey Branch originally filed to run for mayor but withdrew his candidacy on July 16.
At-large
The council has two at-large seats, meaning they are elected by the entire city. Both incumbents, Stormie Forte and Jonathan Melton, intend to run for re-election.
Here’s a look at candidates who have filed so far:
- James Bledsoe, electjamesbledsoe.com
- Joshua Bradley, bradleyforraleighworkers.com
Stormie Forte, incumbent, stormie4raleigh.com
Jonathan Melton, incumbent, jonathanmelton.com
Katie Pate
Reeves Peeler, reevesforraleigh.com
Robert Steele, rob4raleigh.com
District A
This district covers north Raleigh. Incumbent Mary Black intends to seek a second term.
Here’s a look at candidates who have filed so far:
Mary Black, incumbent, mary4districta.com
- Whitney Hill, whitneyforraleigh.org
Mitchell Silver, silverforraleigh.com
District B
This district covers northeast Raleigh. Incumbent Megan Patton intends to seek a second term.
Here’s a look at candidates who have filed so far:
- Jennifer McCollum
- Megan Patton, incumbent, pattonforraleigh.com
District C
This district covers southeast Raleigh. Incumbent Corey Branch originally sought the mayor’s seat, but has since withdrawn from that race. He announced on July 17 he would instead seek re-election.
Here’s a look at candidates who have filed so far:
Corey Branch, incumbent, coreybranch.com
DaQuanta Copeland
- Tomara DeCosta
- Daniel Grant-King, sites.google.com/view/danielgrantkingforraleigh
- Jared Ollison, jaredollisonforraleigh.com
Tolulope Omokaiye, omokaiye4oakcity.com
- Portia Rochelle
District D
This district covers southwest Raleigh. Incumbent Jane Harrison intends to seek a second term.
Here’s a look at candidates who have filed so far:
- Jane Harrison, incumbent, janeforraleigh.com
District E
This district covers northwest Raleigh. Incumbent Christina Jones intends to seek a second term.
Here’s a look at candidates who have filed so far:
John Cerqueira, john4raleigh.com
Christina Jones, incumbent, christinaforraleigh.com
This article will be updated as filing continues through noon July 19.
In the Spotlight designates ongoing topics of high interest that are driven by The News & Observer’s focus on accountability reporting.
This story was originally published July 6, 2024 at 8:00 AM.
