Your Wake County ballot

Background & approach: “I have extensive experience working on countywide Boards, including more than a decade on the Wake County Board of Education, including two terms as Chair, and service on the Wake County Health and Human Services Board for the past four years.”

Campaign priorities: “We need Commissioners who are committed to improving the Wake County Public School System, which can only be done with supported, well-paid staff and educators.”

Background & approach (3): “I am a product of public education, having graduated from EE Smith High School in my hometown of Fayetteville, NC, and then graduating as a Morehead Scholar from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.”

Background & approach: “I am a mother and proud daughter of parents from Argentina and Uruguay who ran a family business.”

Background & approach: “I’m Jasmine Zavala, a lifelong Wake County resident, Wake County Public School System graduate, former North Carolina public school teacher, and small-business leader.”

Policy focus: “I am personally passionate about educational equity. Regardless of where a child lives in Wake County, every student deserves access to the resources, support, and opportunities they need to succeed.”

In the candidate's words: “My campaign has been endorsed by the Wake County Democratic Party, Wake NCAE, Wake Forest Mayor Ben Clapsaddle, State Senator Haseeb Fatmi, former Wake County Board of Education chairs Christine Kushner and Lindsay Mahaffey, current Board Chair Tyler Swanson, and District 6 Board Member and Vice Chair Sam Hershey.”

Background & approach: “I am a experienced educator, a mother of four wake county graduates and long time resident of Wake County.”

Campaign priorities: “I will advocate for fair pay and better working conditions for our educators. I will propose experienced based solutions for the issues plaguing the Wake County School System, providing support for all students.”

Policy focus: “I would like to see Wake be a model for all School Systems who have lost their focus on what its purpose is.”

Background & approach: “I am a Wake County public school parent, a dedicated advocate, and a candidate for the Wake County School Board (District 7).”

Campaign priorities: “Empowering and Trusting Our Educators: Our public schools are only as strong as the educators in them, and we must treat our teachers like the highly skilled professionals they are.”

Policy focus: “Protecting Public School Funding for Public Schools: Wake County’s public schools are one of our community’s greatest cultural and economic strengths.”

Background & approach: “I'm a Wake County public school parent. Spent more than a decade working with our schools, bringing teams together to solve challenges as needed.”

Campaign priorities: “Since 1998, I've led with action-oriented leadership and delivered results as an education advocate, teacher, coach, and mentor for youth and adults.”

Policy focus: “With a background in education, healthcare, business, and community organizing, the quantitative and qualitative results from my work have often had a direct impact on public policy and funding.”

Background & approach: “I am an operations management executive, a U.S. Army Intelligence veteran, and a dedicated public school parent.”

Campaign priorities: “As an operations professional, I will mandate preventative maintenance audits, enforce vendor accountability, and overhaul capital asset planning so facility breakdowns are resolved before students arrive.”

In the candidate's words: “Before looking to history books, I look to the example set at my own kitchen table by my parents.”

Campaign priorities: “To be our best, it takes working together. Beth is very experienced in this area.”

Background & approach: “My wife, Karee, and I have called Wake County home since 1992. Together we raised nine children who attended Wake County Public Schools.” (Ballotpedia (secondary source))

Campaign priorities: “As one of the fastest-growing counties in the nation, our challenge isn't choosing between growth and conservation—it's finding creative ways for them to strengthen one another.” (Ballotpedia (secondary source))

Policy focus: “I am passionate about policies that strengthen communities by recognizing how interconnected our natural resources, local economy, agriculture, and quality of life really are.” (Ballotpedia (secondary source))

Background & approach: “Caring for the environment has been a life long concern which has led me through a wonderful set of experiences.” (Ballotpedia (secondary source))

Campaign priorities: “How well we manage these resources affects the quality of life of each of us. That we can sustain the growth we have seen here in Wake County we must be willing to recognize the role of urban and suburban communities in soil and water conservation.” (Ballotpedia (secondary source))

Policy focus: “I strongly oppose heavy handed policies. The public response to cooperative compliance leads to better policy and better outcomes.” (Ballotpedia (secondary source))

Background & approach: “I am a public policy professional with more than 18 years of experience advancing solutions in environmental, healthcare, and transportation policy.”

Campaign priorities: “As Wake County continues to experience record growth, we have a responsibility to preserve the natural resources that define our community and protect our quality of life.”

Policy focus: “I am passionate about clean transportation, sustainable development, and building healthy communities through practical, locally driven solutions.”

Background & approach: “I grew up in a family that was mission-driven and valued public service. My father was a United Methodist minister and my mother was a teacher.”

Campaign priorities: “We need to protect our environment to maintain our quality of life and ensure resilience from extreme weather.”

Background & approach (3): “I've served as a Raleigh City Councilor, a North Carolina State Senator, the State Treasurer, and the President and CEO of the nonprofit Dix Park Conservancy, which is partnered with the City of Raleigh to create Dix Park.”

Campaign priorities: “We support UE-150, our city workers union, as we know that workers are stronger when they can organize together to ensure they work in safe conditions for good wages.”

Background & approach: “I was raised in Western North Carolina and have lived in Raleigh since 1992. I am a hotel accountant by trade and have been an activist since the Occupy movement.”

Campaign priorities (3): “A strong city is built upon a strong base, so we should prioritize housing and services to those who need it most.”

Background & approach: “I'm a community builder, social entrepreneur, and economic and community development professional.”

Campaign priorities: “As Raleigh grows, we need to make it easier to build homes that people can actually afford, from starter homes and apartments to townhomes and small condos.”

Policy focus: “I’m passionate about the public policies that determine whether people can afford to live, work, and build a life in Raleigh.”

Background & approach: “I am a lifelong resident of Raleigh, District – C and I understand the importance of maintaining a strong, equitable, and diverse community.”

Campaign priorities: “I am running for Raleigh City Council, District C as a concerned citizen, not as a politician. Politicians tell citizens anything they want to hear, concerned citizens roll their sleeves up and get the work done.”

Policy focus: “I am passionate about all areas of public policy. I also have a master's degree in public policy and public administration.”

Background & approach: “With me, you get an experienced economic and community development leader. You get an educator and environmental scientist.”

Campaign priorities: “I serve as co-chair of the West Raleigh CAC (Community Advocacy Council), bringing attention to proposed zonings, land use changes, and neighbor needs in District D.”

Policy focus: “One of the things I love about Raleigh is that our neighbors are from every walk of life. Some families are many generations deep here, bringing important history and wisdom to community conversations.”

Background & approach: “My name is Jevon. I am running for Raleigh City Council to represent the full voice of our great city.”

Campaign priorities: “We can't rely on steady tax increases to fund government initiatives. The people are fatigued at giving the government their hard earned money only to receive sub-optimal services.”

Policy focus: “Environmental Justice, Housing, Public Safety, Transportation and fair compensation for City Staff As a descendant of educators and civil servants, I strongly believe in the purpose and power of a supportive city environment.”

Background & approach: “I am running for City Council because residents have lost their voice in local government. As people from across the country decide to move here and make Raleigh their home, we have tackle issues of growth and development together.”

Policy focus: “As a member of the Parks Board, I am passionate about our city Parks system and engaging residents in conversation.”