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With Election Day in hindsight, Raleigh readies for its next chapter.
Election Day has—thankfully—come and gone, and Raleigh’s next City Council is slated to be sworn in Dec. 2 at Memorial Auditorium, with six council members returning, alongside the addition of familiar faces: former City Planner Mitchell Silver (District A) and Mayor Janet Cowell, replacing Mary Black and Mary-Ann Baldwin, respectively.
Now the Cap City’s third-consecutive—and fourth-ever, behind Baldwin (2019–2024), Nancy McFarlane (2011–19) and Isabella Cannon (77–79)—female mayor and the first new mayor in five years, former Dix Park Conservancy President and CEO Cowell returns to govern. Having previously served as Raleigh city councilor (2001–05), state senator (2005–09) and state treasurer (2009–16), Cowell comes ready to serve.
“I look forward to working with all of you on the first 100 days, the first year,” said a Cowell on Election Night, after winning in a landslide, adding: “and planning that transition to get really good things done for Raleigh—and make it a city that works for everyone.”
Now, Cowell takes the helm over a city council—save Silver—who has been much maligned during Baldwin’s tenure for its apparent lack of respect and professionalism (e.g. sass and eye rolling at meetings, etc.), as well as issues arising from a voting block by three or four council members. When asked what management style she would employ to both foster collaboration and get stuff done, Cowell is clear she means business.
“Voters made clear in the city election that they want candidates who are respectful of each other, city staff and residents of the city,” the mayor-elect tells Raleigh Mag. “They want candidates who focus on strategic priorities—not personal conflicts. As part of the transition, I will be sitting down with councilors and staff and talking about rules of engagement, how we want to work together, etc. I know and have a good working relationship with city councilors and city staff. I want us to all work together and support each other to accomplish city priorities.”
Cowell cites housing/housing affordability as the biggest issue facing Raleigh and says she plans to address it head on with such early actions as accelerating city affordable housing projects like the old NC DMV site and the renovation of Heritage Park, inventorying city land that might be used for housing, and partnering with the faith community to pursue innovative models of affordable housing.
Beyond providing more housing and affordable housing, Cowell names “giving police and firefighters the resources they need to keep our community safe,” as another priority, as well as “working with Wake County to provide alternative response to those suffering from mental illness and housing the unhoused.”
The campaign is over—and the first 100 days start now. January’s first City Council meeting will serve as a good barometer for where we are headed. “Raleigh is a great place to be,” says Cowell. “As mayor, I will build on past efforts to make it a city of inclusion and belonging, opportunity and empowerment, collaboration and innovation, and nature and green spaces.”
Term Changes
Everybody elected this November is serving a two-year term that will end in December 2026. Mayor, one at-large seat, and Districts A and B will run for four-year terms in 2026. The other at-large seat, and Districts C, D and E will run for two years in 2026 and run again in 2028 for four years, creating staggered four-year terms.
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