Jennifer McCollum, candidate for Raleigh City Council, District B, answers our questions
Raleigh voters will pick a new mayor and City Council members this November.
All eight council seats, including the mayor’s, are up for grabs, with all the incumbents except for current Mayor Mary-Ann Baldwin seeking another two-year term.
Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 5. Early voting runs from Thursday, Oct. 17, through Saturday, Nov. 2.
To help inform voters across the state, this candidate questionnaire is available to be republished by local publications in North Carolina without any cost. Please consider subscribing to The News & Observer to help make this coverage possible.
Name: Jennifer McCollum
District/seat: Raleigh City Council, District B
Political party: Republican
Age as of Nov. 5, 2024: 51
Campaign website: Jenn4Raleigh.com
Current occupation: Corporate account management
Education: NC State University - B.A. in Communication, Concentration in Public Relations, Minor in Political Science
Offices sought/held: None
Please list any notable government or civic involvement.
Support NC nonprofit organizations - NC Senior Games, Koinonia of WF, Kangaroo Kids, Dress for Success Triangle, HandsmeUPs Thrift, and USO Care Package Program through volunteerism or contributions.
Which City Council district do you live in? B
What is the top issue facing Raleigh now and how would you address it?
The top issue facing Raleigh is the economy and inflation, but many critical areas, like infrastructure, have also been neglected. Development and affordable housing need more attention, too. The best way to tackle economic challenges is often to remove regulations; bureaucratic hurdles stifle businesses and entrepreneurs. We must identify the barriers preventing lower-income areas from thriving and develop effective strategies to support their success.
What is your strategy for increasing affordable housing in Raleigh?
We should empower businesses and entrepreneurs to tackle affordable housing issues. Increasing supply naturally lowers costs, yet the current city leadership favors more regulations and a top-down approach, an approach that I do not believe aligns with City Council’s role. Instead, the city should offer incentives for creating affordable housing. While Raleigh is a fantastic place to live — and rightly so — this desirability inevitably drives up prices. Additionally, as we foster upward mobility, the definition of what’s affordable will continue to evolve.
Should the city be more aggressive about requiring affording units from developers or partner with nonprofits?
Non-governmental approaches are typically more effective. Mandating requirements can lead to negative consequences elsewhere. Collaborating with local nonprofits not reliant on ratepayer subsidies could be a viable solution. However, if the free market shows that affordable housing isn’t profitable, we need to rethink our entire strategy.
Do you think Raleigh can support concert venues both downtown and in Dix Park?
It’s highly unlikely, given the short-sightedness of past leadership in failing to invest in the essential infrastructure for this to be successful. The concepts contradict each other. Private concert venues are already meeting the demand, and the city shouldn’t be involved in this business. If private investors believe they can profit, they should step up. The city has far more pressing challenges to address.
Would you describe Raleigh’s growth as too fast, too slow or just right?
Raleigh’s growth has been poorly managed, with misplaced priorities that ignore critical needs. We must invest more in public safety and infrastructure to support sustainable development. Repeatedly chasing the new shiny object has led to negative consequences for our city. This isn’t a simple case of too much or too little; thoughtful Raleigh residents understand that we need to focus our efforts where they truly matter, and we haven’t been doing that.
Do you think Raleigh is losing too many historic properties? If so, how should this be addressed?
Preserving Raleigh’s history and culture should be a top priority — not just for historic properties but also for historic businesses. We need to stop chasing superficial changes and focus on what truly matters: safety and economic prosperity for everyone. Raleigh has plenty of room to grow, and that growth shouldn’t come at the expense of our historic landmarks.