Raleigh has elected Janet Cowell, a former state treasurer, as its next mayor. Cowell emerged victorious among five candidates in the recent mayoral race, accruing nearly 60% of the total votes. According to CBS 17, Cowell received 131,079 votes, with her nearest competitor Paul Fitts securing 40,324 votes. Notably, Cowell succeeded Mary-Ann Baldwin, who opted not to seek re-election.
In alignment with the results, Cowell expressed her anticipation to CBS 17 to “take office and hopes to meet soon with City Manager Marchell Adams-David.” Cowell is set to inevitably serve a two-year term as mayor. The majority vote suggests a strong mandate for Cowell’s vision of Raleigh—a vision that includes growth coupled with preservation of the city’s character and its natural features.
During her campaign, Cowell emphasized the significance of maintaining Raleigh as a city “of opportunity and empowerment, of safety and belonging, of collaboration and innovation [and] of nature and green spaces,” in a statement obtained by WRAL. On election night, she asserted her victory before it was officially announced, stating, “I am extremely grateful to so many people in this place who did so much for me.”
Having served as Raleigh’s state treasurer from 2009 to 2017, Cowell’s political experience is extensive. According to Axios, Cowell plans to quickly work towards investments for the city’s waterways and the preservation of its tree canopy. Moreover, she intends to explore tax increment financing as a method to potentially increase funding for affordable housing and services for residents, particularly around areas like Dix Park and Bus Rapid Transit lines.
The challenge ahead for Cowell will be deftly balancing Raleigh’s rapid growth with her commitments to enhancing green spaces, affordable housing, and maintaining the city’s unique identity. As reported by Axios, she believes the election results mirror residents’ desires for growth without sacrificing the natural and community-centric aspects that define Raleigh. “I was at the poll today, and one guy said, ‘You had me a tree canopy,'” Cowell recounted, highlighting the resonance of her environmental focus with voters.
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