RALEIGH, N.C. — Mayor Mary-Ann Baldwin was re-elected Tuesday night. She will have a lot on her plate as the city tackles inflation, crime and affordable housing issues.
DaQuanta Copeland and Terrance Ruth were the two candidates running against Baldwin. With 99% of precincts reporting, Baldwin held 70,405 votes to Ruth’s 61,185. Copeland had 15,261 votes.
Re-elected as Raleigh Mayor: Mary-Ann Baldwin
At Tuesday night’s election party, thanked the community for coming together and supporting her for a second term. She told WRAL News although she will focus on public transportation and gun violence prevention, her primary goal is housing affordability.
“That’s probably the number one issue we hear most about,” she said. “That’s also closely tied to transit. The two go hand-in-hand.”
Baldwin hopes to expand Bus Rapid Transit during her second term and eventually build a commuter rail as a regional transit system through the Triangle area.
Raleigh’s growth and development has increased during Baldwin’s term, with the mayor supporting increased residential density through rezoning efforts that allow for construction of townhomes, tiny homes and granny flats.
During her victory speech she said, “We cannot stop growth. We’ve got to look at how we manage it, but do it so that everybody feels inclusive.”
Baldwin served five terms in Raleigh’s city council before being elected mayor in 2019.
Mayoral candidate: Terrance Ruth
Ruth moved to Raleigh in 2009. A former teacher and principal, he currently works as an assistant professor in North Carolina State University’s School of Social Work.
His platforms focused heavily on community engagement and affordability.
“I believe in the approach ‘housing first,’ which is embraced by the commissioners and the council,” he said. Ruth said he wanted to ensure local leaders are paying attention to the “most uninvested sections of our city.”
He points out that although Raleigh is currently one of the fastest growing cities in the nation, the growth means nothing if it’s not affordable to live here.
Mayoral candidate: DaQuanta Copeland
Copeland began serving her community as a teenager by volunteerism in her community. She currently runs a non-profit serving youth and at-risk children and serves as vice-chair of the Wake County Health and Human Services Board.
With over 20 years as a community organizer and advocate, Copeland had hoped to give the Raleigh community more of a voice.
With incumbent mayor Baldwin criticized for reducing time allotted for residents to speak at council meetings, Copeland said she had hoped to increase community engagement.
“We see so much about the businesses and buildings, but the people … do not feel welcome,” said Copeland. “The people are being pushed out. The people who are building the city are not welcome in the city.”
Raleigh City Council elections
Raleigh City Council was also up for election in 2022.
Seven candidates were vying for two at-large seats:
- Stormie Forte
- Jonathan Melton
District A
District B
District C
District D
District E
