Blake Massengill, mayoral candidate for Fuquay-Varina in 2023 election

Fuquay-Varina, the fast-growing town in southern Wake County, is headed for another municipal election.

Eight candidates are on the ballot for four open seats this year.

Blake Massengill, who has served as mayor for two years, is running unopposed.

Early voting kicks runs through Nov. 4. Election Day is Nov. 7.

To find polling places and full details on early voting, visit the state Board of Elections, ncsbe.gov, or the Wake County Board of Elections, wake.gov.

Name: Blake Massengill

Age: 39

Residence: Fuquay-Varina

Occupation/Employer: Owner, Massengill Design-Build

Education: MBA from NC State University; BA in Accounting from NC State University

Political or civic experience: Mayor of Fuquay-Varina since 2021; Mayor Pro-Tem of Fuquay-Varina 2015-21; Town Commissioner 2013-21; Past President of Fuquay-Varina Rotary Club; Member of Fuquay-Varina Chamber of Commerce and Fuquay-Varina Downtown Association

Campaign website: blakemassengill.com

Tell us why you’re running to serve Fuquay-Varina. Why should voters trust you in this position?

I am running unopposed in my re-election campaign for mayor. I think this solidifies what our town community survey told us last year: 92% of respondents think Fuquay-Varina is an excellent or good place to live, compared to the 50% national average. We’re on the right track, but there is plenty more work to do, and I look forward to continuing to lead my hometown of Fuquay-Varina. My top priorities will continue to be: improving traffic congestion, economic development, town services and keeping downtown vibrant.

What is the town of Fuquay-Varina doing right to manage growth? What could be improved?

North Carolina and Wake County specifically is a highly coveted place to live. We must continue to work on our infrastructure — roads, water, sewer, etc. — to meet the needs of our community. Over the last two years, we’ve received record grant funding for transportation projects and citizens will finally be seeing action on many of those in the coming months. Seven new additional intersection improvements were approved this year, and construction will begin within 18-24 months. These projects were funded through the voter-approved 2021 Transportation Bond, which totaled $20 million. Seventeen projects totaling over $40 million will be delivered in the next two to three years. A town-wide traffic signal system is also starting this year. Last, we must fund our public safety departments so that they can adequately respond to citizens.

If elected, how would you approach an existing or new issue differently from your fellow council members?

I’ve worked well with our Town Board the past two years, as mayor, moving Fuquay-Varina forward. We don’t always agree on every issue, but I think we work cordially and professionally. Communication and respect for each other are important.

How do you plan to make local government in Fuquay-Varina more inclusive and equitable for all residents in the town who feel their voices are underrepresented?

My door is always open to citizens. In the last several years, we’ve placed a great deal of importance on our commitment to inclusivity, as is evidenced through community outreach programs, DEI training, minority/female recruitment plans, and outstanding communication. I support continued funding and education for our town government. I believe our town staff does a great job communicating with our citizens. We have many opportunities for citizens to engage with town government — through FVPD/FVFD community events, planning and zoning information sessions, public input workshops, town events, etc. We also have an easy website feature, Let’s Talk FV, that allows citizens to easily communicate with us.

Please list any endorsements you’ve received.

Wake County GOP

If there is anything you would like to address to voters, please do so here.

While I am running unopposed this election, I don’t want to miss the opportunity to educate voters on a few upcoming accomplishments in Fuquay-Varina:

• Over the next few years, Fuquay-Varina is investing hundreds of millions of dollars into infrastructure projects, which include roads, water, sewer, public safety and parks.
• MoneyGeek ranked Fuquay-Varina the 3rd Safest Small Town in NC this year. Public safety is one of my top priorities. Fire Station #4, opening this fall, will be a state-of-the-art facility and a model for firefighter health and safety. Response times in the Needmore Community and all areas north and west of downtown Fuquay-Varina will be reduced. In fiscal year 2024, 11 new police staff and the necessary cars and equipment for both departments will be added.
• Economic growth is continuing with new high-end shopping, high-end manufacturing jobs, and a large medical facility coming to Fuquay-Varina.

This story was originally published October 22, 2023 at 4:52 PM.

Kristen Johnson

The News & Observer

919-829-4532

Kristen Johnson is a local government reporter covering Durham for The News & Observer. She previously covered Cary and western Wake County. Prior to coming home to the Triangle, she reported for The Fayetteville Observer and spent time covering politics and culture in Washington, D.C. She is an alumna of UNC at Charlotte and American University.