What do you know about Raleigh’s Mayor and Council candidates?

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Lorilyn
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In addition to choosing a president, Raleigh voters will select city leaders on November 5, 2024.

If you are a Raleigh voter, you will choose:

  • One mayor (out of three candidates)
  • Two “At large” city council members, representing all citizens (out of seven candidates)
  • One city council member representing your district:
    District A residents will choose 1 from 3 candidates
    District B residents will choose 1 from 2 candidates
    District C residents will choose 1 from 7 candidates
    District D residents will choose 1 from 1 candidate (no opposition)
    District E residents will choose 1 from 2 candidates

Who Represents You and Where Do You Vote?
Scroll down at this link to enter your address to find out who represents you on council: https://raleighnc.gov/city-council

Go to the NC State Board of Elections Voter Search page to look up your voting location and other election details: https://vt.ncsbe.gov/RegLkup/

Who Are the Candidates?
Below are the candidate names with links to information that will provide you with more information regarding who they are.

NOTE: Even though the Raleigh city elections are nonpartisan (not run according to any political party), the candidates’ party affiliations are listed here so that you know more about their political beliefs.

CANDIDATES FOR MAYOR

Janet Cowell

  1. PARTY AFFILIATION:
    Democrat
  2. LINKEDIN PROFILE:
    https://www.linkedin.com/in/janetcowell/
  3. LINKEDIN TITLE:
    Chief Executive Officer at Dix Park Conservancy
  4. BALLOTPEDIA:
    https://ballotpedia.org/Janet_Cowell
  5. CAMPAIGN WEBSITE:
    https://www.janetcowellformayor.com/
  6. OTHER:
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Janet_Cowell

Paul Fitts

  1. PARTY AFFILIATION:
    Republican
  2. LINKEDIN PROFILE:
    https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-fitts-18412a5/
  3. LINKEDIN TITLE:
    Sr Loan Officer at Advantage Lending
  4. BALLOTPEDIA:
    https://ballotpedia.org/Paul_Fitts
  5. CAMPAIGN WEBSITE:
    https://www.fittsforraleigh.com/

Eugene Myrick

  1. PARTY AFFILIATION:
    Democrat
  2. LINKEDIN PROFILE:
    https://www.linkedin.com/in/Eugene-m-24996a4/
  3. EMPLOYER:
    Self-employed
  4. BALLOTPEDIA:
    https://ballotpedia.org/Eugene_Myrick
  5. CAMPAIGN WEBSITE:
    https://myrickformayor.com/

Terrance Ruth

  1. PARTY AFFILIATION:
    Democrat
  2. LINKEDIN PROFILE:
    https://www.linkedin.com/in
  3. LINKEDIN TITLE:
    Vintage Chair | Speaker | NCSU Professor | 2024 Candidate for Mayor of Raleigh
  4. CAMPAIGN PAGE:
    https://www.truthforraleigh.org/
  5. BALLOTPEDIA:
    https://ballotpedia.org/Terrance_Ruth

James Shaughnessy IV
(NOTE: He is currently a student at William Peace University.)

  1. LINKEDIN PROFILE:
    https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-shaughnessy-iv-77049916a/
  2. LINKEDIN TITLE:
    Event Management – Customer Service – Leadership
  3. CAMPAIGN WEBSITE:
    https://www.shaughnessy4you.com/
  4. BALLOTPEDIA:
    https://ballotpedia.org/James_Shaughnessy_IV_(North_Carolina)

CANDIDATES FOR AT-LARGE COUNCIL MEMBER SEATS
(2 seats available)

Stormie Forte: Currently, as one of the two City of Raleigh At-large council members, she is responsible for serving all Raleigh residents.

  1. PARTY AFFILIATION:
    Democrat
  2. LINKEDIN PROFILE:
    https://www.linkedin.com/in/stormie-forte-jd-030b483a/
  3. LINKEDIN TITLE:
    Raleigh City Council, At-Large, Attorney, Ombudsperson, Mediator, Real Estate Licensee
  4. CAMPAIGN WEBSITE:
    https://stormie4raleigh.com/
  5. BALLOTPEDIA:
    https://ballotpedia.org/Stormie_Forte
  6. OTHER:
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stormie_Forte

Jonathan Lambert-Melton (formerly Jonathan Melton): Currently, as one of the two City of Raleigh At-large council members, he is responsible for serving all Raleigh residents.

  1. PARTY AFFILIATION:
    Democrat
  2. LINKEDIN PROFILE:
    https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-melton-42704420/
  3. LINKEDIN TITLE:
    Board Certified Family Law Specialist and Raleigh City Council Member, At-Large
  4. BALLOTPEDIA:
    https://www.jonathanmelton.com/
  5. CAMPAIGN WEBSITE: https://ballotpedia.org/Jonathan_Melton_(North_Carolina)

 James Bledsoe

  1. VOTER REGISTRATION:
    Unaffiliated (Note: He voted Republican in 4 elections since 2014, including in May of 2024.)
  2. LINKEDIN:
    https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-bledsoe-63148687/
  3. LINKED IN TITLE:
    State Chairman of the VPNC & IT Analyst
  4. BALLOTPEDIA:
    https://ballotpedia.org/James_Bledsoe
  5. CAMPAIGN WEBSITE:
    https://www.electjamesbledsoe.com/

Joshua Bradley
NOTE: Joshua Bradley often calls others “comrade” when speaking to city council during the Public Comments period. When asked why, he responded, “I use comrade when talking to someone who is with me in the struggle to make the world (and city) a better place.”

  1. VOTER REGISTRATION:
    Green Party
  2. LINKEDIN PROFILE:
    https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuadbradley/
  3. LINKEDIN TITLE:
    Accounting Manager at Summit Hospitality
  4. BALLOTPEDIA:
    https://ballotpedia.org/Joshua_Bradley
  5. CAMPAIGN WEBSITE:
    https://bradleyforraleighworkers.com/

Katie Pate

    1. PARTY REGISTRATION:
      DEMOCRAT
    2. LINKEDIN PROFILE:
      https://www.linkedin.com/in/katherinempate/
    3. LINKEDIN TITLE:
      Marketing & PR Consultant | Writer | Chair of the Raleigh Historic Development Commission
    4. BALLOTPEDIA:
      https://ballotpedia.org/Katherine_Pate
    5. CAMPAIGN WEBSITE:
      https://www.katiepateforraleigh.com/

Reeves Peeler
(NOTE: Also known as Michael Reeves Peeler, Jr.)

  1. PARTY AFFILIATION
    Democrat
  2. LINKEDIN PROFILE:
    https://www.linkedin.com/in/reeves-peeler-15b56b19/
  3. LINKEDIN TITLE:
    Associate II – Community Development Finance at First Citizens Bank
  4. BALLOTPEDIA:
    https://ballotpedia.org/Michael_Peeler_Jr.
  5. CAMPAIGN WEBSITE:
    https://www.reevesforraleigh.com/

Robert Steele

  1. PARTY AFFILIATION:
    Democrat
  2. LINKEDIN PROFILE:
    https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-steele-a49540107/
  3. LINKEDIN TITLE:
    Property Manager – Ample Storage Center
  4. BALLOTPEDIA:
    https://ballotpedia.org/Robert_Steele_Jr._(North_Carolina)­
  5. CAMPAIGN WEBSITE:
    https://www.rob4raleigh.com/

CANDIDATES FOR DISTRICT COUNCIL SEATS
DISTRICT A

Mary Black: Currently, she represents District A on the Raleigh City Council.

  1. VOTER REGISTRATION:
    Democrat
  2. LINKEDIN PROFILE:
    https://www.linkedin.com/in/maryblackb/
  3. LINKEDIN TITLE:
    Climate Justice Organizer, Storyteller, and Raleigh City Councilmember
  4. BALLOTPEDIA:
    https://ballotpedia.org/Mary_Black-Branch
  5. CAMPAIGN WEBSITE: https://mary4districta.com/ and https://www.facebook.com/MaryBlack4DistrictA/

Whitney Hill

  1. VOTER REGISTRATION:
    Republican
  2. LINKEDIN PROFILE:
    https://www.linkedin.com/in/whitneyhill/
  3. LINKEDIN TITLE:
    Web & Software Development Solution Partner
  4. BALLOTPEDIA: https://ballotpedia.org/Whitney_Hill
  5. CAMPAIGN WEBSITE: https://whitneyforraleigh.org/

Mitchell Silver

  1. PARTY AFFILIATION: Democrat
  2. LINKEDIN PROFILE: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mitchell-silver-faicp-hon-asla-422765/
  3. LINKEDIN TITLE: Principal at McAdams
    (NOTE: More about McAdams: https://mcadamsco.com/project-types)
  4. BALLOTPEDIA:
    https://ballotpedia.org/Mitchell_Silver
  5. CAMPAIGN WEBSITE:
    https://silverforraleigh.com/
  6. OTHER:
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mitchell_Silver

DISTRICT B

Megan Patton –  Currently, she represents District B on the Raleigh City Council.

  1. PARTY AFFILIATION:
    Democrat
  2. JOB TITLE:
    Customer Service Agent
  3. EMPLOYER:
    Textile company
  4. BALLOTPEDIA:
    https://ballotpedia.org/Megan_Patton
  5. CAMPAIGN WEBSITE:
    https://www.pattonforraleigh.com/

Jennifer McCollum

  1. PARTY AFFILIATION:
    Democrat
  2. BALLOTPEDIA:
    https://ballotpedia.org/Jennifer_McCollum
  3. CAMPAIGN WEBSITE:
    https://jenn4raleigh.com/about-jenn/

DISTRICT C

Corey Branch:  Currently, he represents District C on the Raleigh City Council.

  1. PARTY AFFILIATION:
    Democrat
  2. LINKEDIN PROFILE:
    https://www.linkedin.com/in/cbranch/
  3. LINKEDIN TITLE:
    Loves Family and Serving Community
    (Note: Current position is Associate Director, Kyndryl)
  4. BALLOTPEDIA:
    https://ballotpedia.org/Corey_Branch
  5. CAMPAIGN WEBSITE:
    https://www.coreybranch.com/

DaQuanta Copeland

  1. PARTY AFFILIATION:
    Democrat
  2. LINKEDIN PROFILE:
    https://www.linkedin.com/in/daquanta-copeland-72337a248/
  3. LINKEDIN TITLE:
    “Engage, Encourage, Empower, Educate, and Influence!”
    Note: Currently, she is Community Engagement Coordinator at Wake County Government
  4. BALLOTPEDIA:
    https://ballotpedia.org/DaQuanta_Copeland
  5. CAMPAIGN WEBSITE:
    https://dcopeland4mayor.wixsite.com/daquanta

Tomara DeCosta

  1. PARTY AFFILIATION:
    Republican
  2. BALLOTPEDIA:
    https://ballotpedia.org/Tomara_DeCosta
  3. CAMPAIGN WEBSITE:
    https://tomaraforraleigh.com/

Daniel Lamar Grant-King

  1. PARTY AFFILIATION:
    Democrat
  2. LINKEDIN PROFILE:
    https://www.linkedin.com/in/mr-daniel-lamar-grant-king-713575155/
  3. LINKEDIN TITLE:
    Student at Word of God Christian Academy (Note: This title may be outdated; see campaign website)
  4. BALLOTPEDIA:
    https://ballotpedia.org/Daniel_Grant-King
  5. CAMPAIGN WEBSITE:
    https://www.threads.net/@danielforraleigh

Jared Ollison  

  1. PARTY AFFILIATION:
    Democrat
  2. LINKEDIN PROFILE:
    https://www.linkedin.com/in/jared-ollison-9b667437
  3. LINKEDIN TITLE:
    Retired Law Enforcement Manager / Law Enforcement Relations Manager, NORAM
  4. BALLOTPEDIA:
    https://ballotpedia.org/Jared_Ollison
  5. CAMPAIGN WEBSITE:
    https://jaredollisonforraleigh.com/ 

Tolulope Omokaiye

  1. PARTY AFFILIATION: Democrat
  2. LINKEDIN PROFILE: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tolulope-o-omokaiye-mba/
  3. LINKEDIN TITLE: Founder & CEO at EVOLVE Mentoring| Executive Director of My Brother’s Keeper Wake County| Chair of Raleigh Transit Authority
  4. BALLOTPEDIA: https://ballotpedia.org/Tolulope_Omokaiye
  5. CAMPAIGN WEBSITE: https://www.facebook.com/groups/974073024719166/

Portia Rochelle

  1. PARTY AFFILIATION:
    Democrat
  2. LINKEDIN PROFILE:
    https://www.linkedin.com/in/portia-rochelle-18512212/
  3. LINKEDIN TITLE:
    Pastor at Word For Transformation Church
  4. BALLOTPEDIA:
    https://ballotpedia.org/Portia_Wilson_Rochelle
  5. CAMPAIGN WEBSITE:
    https://rochelleforraleigh.com/

DISTRICT D  

Jane Harrison: Currently, she represents District D on the Raleigh City Council and is running unopposed.

  1. PARTY AFFILIATION:
    Democrat
  2. LINKEDIN PROFILE:
    https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-jane-harrison-5876a567/
  3. LINKEDIN TITLE:
    JaneForRaleigh.com (Note: Current position is: Coastal Economics Specialist, North Carolina Sea Grant, NOAA: National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration)
  4. BALLOTPEDIA:
    https://ballotpedia.org/Jane_Harrison
  5. CAMPAIGN WEBSITE:
    JaneForRaleigh.com

DISTRICT E

Christina Jones: Currently, she represents District E on the Raleigh City Council.

  1. PARTY AFFILIATION:
    Democrat
  2. LINKEDIN PROFILE:
    https://www.linkedin.com/in/christina-jones-02a44ba5/
  3. LINKEDIN TITLE:
    Raleigh City Councilor – District E
  4. BALLOTPEDIA:
    https://ballotpedia.org/Christina_Jones
  5. CAMPAIGN WEBSITE:
    https://christinaforraleigh.com/

John Cerqueira

  1. PARTY AFFILIATION:
    Democrat
  2. LINKEDIN PROFILE:
    https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-cerqueira-5a22963/
  3. LINKEDIN TITLE:
    Coaching Revenue Leaders to become Peaceful, Purposeful, Productive, and Contagious
  4. BALLOTPEDIA:
    https://ballotpedia.org/John_Cerqueira_III
  5. CAMPAIGN WEBSITE:
    https://www.john4raleigh.com/

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