Who Is Running for Raleigh Mayor + City Council?

’Tis the season, Raleigh. The election filing period for local races closed Dec. 19—meaning it’s officially time to get acquainted with the field and what’s at stake. 

This year, Raleighites will head to the polls for municipal elections twice: the Statewide Partisan Primary + first-ever nonpartisan City of Raleigh Primary Election March 3, and the General Election + City of Raleigh Municipal Election Nov. 3 (with a second primary May 12, as necessary). 

Only mayoral and district contests with more than two candidates will be included on the March ballot. For at-large, a primary comes into play with more than four candidates. As such, District C and at-large contests will be included in the upcoming primary.

Another major shift: Raleigh is moving to four-year staggered terms for mayor and city council. This year, the mayor, one at-large seat and Districts A and B will be elected to four-year terms. The remaining at-large seat and Districts C, D and E will be elected to two-year terms—then move to four-year cycles in 2028. To maintain staggered terms, half of the City Council seats will expire every two years. The longer, staggered terms allow for greater continuity and stability in leadership, District B council member Megan Patton tells RM.

As the field takes shape, brush up on your vision for the city—and decide who’s best equipped to lead it. See you at the polls, Raleigh.