Candidate Info Viewer (v6) - Wake County Democratic Party

Janet Cowell

Raleigh Mayor

Candidate Statement:

Janet Cowell was elected Mayor of Raleigh in 2024.

Janet brings a deep commitment to public service that stems from her family upbringing. Her father was a Methodist minister, and her mother was a school teacher.

Throughout her career, Janet has brought people together: across neighborhoods, across sectors, and across the aisle. Prior to being elected Mayor, Janet led the Dix Park Conservancy as President & CEO and raised $40 million in private funds for the creation of Gipson Play Plaza as well as the restoration of the historic chapel and stone houses.

Janet's most recent path to city hall was shaped by a prior fifteen years of elected public service, including as Raleigh city councilor, NC State Senator and State Treasurer. She was the first and only woman to serve as State Treasurer and oversaw $100 billion in pension assets and health benefits for nearly a million public sector workers and retirees.

More than title or credentials, Janet is guided by her commitment to Raleigh and her belief that people flourish when they are connected with their neighbors and meaningfully engaged in their community.

Direct Quote:

Janet is running for Mayor because she knows we need a Raleigh that works together for everyone.

Issues:

Housing

Everyone in Raleigh is feeling the effects of our city's rapid growth. As a result, the cost of housing has skyrocketed and is preventing teachers, firefighters, law enforcement officers, and others who serve our community from being able to live here. Janet will work to solve this problem by diversifying housing options across the city. We must also be willing to invest in our infrastructure such as water, sewer and public transportation to reduce traffic congestion. The City must work with nonprofits like DHIC and others in the space that have specific mandates to work with low-income families to build affordable housing.

HousingEveryone in Raleigh is feeling the effects of our city's rapid growth. As a result, the cost of housing has skyrocketed and is preventing teachers, firefighters, law enforcement officers, and others who serve our community from being able to live here. Janet will work to solve this problem by diversifying housing options across the city. We must also be willing to invest in our infrastructure such as water, sewer and public transportation to reduce traffic congestion. The City must work with nonprofits like DHIC and others in the space that have specific mandates to work with low-income families to build affordable housing.

Improving Our Quality of Life: Growth, Planning, and Transpo

Improving our quality of life and retaining key aspects of Raleigh's character can only be done through broad public input and careful planning. The city's comprehensive plan ensures we have equitable and accessible citywide transportation, sufficient housing, and spaces for businesses of all sizes to find success. Janet will implement a forward-looking rezoning plan, which will help build a community that works for everyone through public input and comprehensive review.

Improving Our Quality of Life: Growth, Planning, and TranspoImproving our quality of life and retaining key aspects of Raleigh's character can only be done through broad public input and careful planning. The city's comprehensive plan ensures we have equitable and accessible citywide transportation, sufficient housing, and spaces for businesses of all sizes to find success. Janet will implement a forward-looking rezoning plan, which will help build a community that works for everyone through public input and comprehensive review.

Keeping Our Community Safe and Helping our Neighbors

Keeping our community safe is the most important job of the Mayor and City Council. As Mayor, Janet will work to support our law enforcement officers by ensuring they have appropriate personnel, equipment, facilities, and training. Janet will ensure our police officers can focus on crime. She'll work to build and strengthen partnerships with the state and Wake County government to ensure mental health providers and paramedics can be involved when someone is experiencing a crisis that is not necessarily a crime. Finally, she'll work to develop both permanent and temporary housing options with services needed to help our most vulnerable neighbors who are unhoused.

Keeping Our Community Safe and Helping our NeighborsKeeping our community safe is the most important job of the Mayor and City Council. As Mayor, Janet will work to support our law enforcement officers by ensuring they have appropriate personnel, equipment, facilities, and training. Janet will ensure our police officers can focus on crime. She'll work to build and strengthen partnerships with the state and Wake County government to ensure mental health providers and paramedics can be involved when someone is experiencing a crisis that is not necessarily a crime. Finally, she'll work to develop both permanent and temporary housing options with services needed to help our most vulnerable neighbors who are unhoused.

Housing

Everyone in Raleigh is feeling the effects of our city's rapid growth. As a result, the cost of housing has skyrocketed and is preventing teachers, firefighters, law enforcement officers, and others who serve our community from being able to live here. Janet will work to solve this problem by diversifying housing options across the city. We must also be willing to invest in our infrastructure such as water, sewer and public transportation to reduce traffic congestion. The City must work with nonprofits like DHIC and others in the space that have specific mandates to work with low-income families to build affordable housing.

HousingEveryone in Raleigh is feeling the effects of our city's rapid growth. As a result, the cost of housing has skyrocketed and is preventing teachers, firefighters, law enforcement officers, and others who serve our community from being able to live here. Janet will work to solve this problem by diversifying housing options across the city. We must also be willing to invest in our infrastructure such as water, sewer and public transportation to reduce traffic congestion. The City must work with nonprofits like DHIC and others in the space that have specific mandates to work with low-income families to build affordable housing.

Improving Our Quality of Life: Growth, Planning, and Transpo

Improving our quality of life and retaining key aspects of Raleigh's character can only be done through broad public input and careful planning. The city's comprehensive plan ensures we have equitable and accessible citywide transportation, sufficient housing, and spaces for businesses of all sizes to find success. Janet will implement a forward-looking rezoning plan, which will help build a community that works for everyone through public input and comprehensive review.

Improving Our Quality of Life: Growth, Planning, and TranspoImproving our quality of life and retaining key aspects of Raleigh's character can only be done through broad public input and careful planning. The city's comprehensive plan ensures we have equitable and accessible citywide transportation, sufficient housing, and spaces for businesses of all sizes to find success. Janet will implement a forward-looking rezoning plan, which will help build a community that works for everyone through public input and comprehensive review.

Keeping Our Community Safe and Helping our Neighbors

Keeping our community safe is the most important job of the Mayor and City Council. As Mayor, Janet will work to support our law enforcement officers by ensuring they have appropriate personnel, equipment, facilities, and training. Janet will ensure our police officers can focus on crime. She'll work to build and strengthen partnerships with the state and Wake County government to ensure mental health providers and paramedics can be involved when someone is experiencing a crisis that is not necessarily a crime. Finally, she'll work to develop both permanent and temporary housing options with services needed to help our most vulnerable neighbors who are unhoused.

Keeping Our Community Safe and Helping our NeighborsKeeping our community safe is the most important job of the Mayor and City Council. As Mayor, Janet will work to support our law enforcement officers by ensuring they have appropriate personnel, equipment, facilities, and training. Janet will ensure our police officers can focus on crime. She'll work to build and strengthen partnerships with the state and Wake County government to ensure mental health providers and paramedics can be involved when someone is experiencing a crisis that is not necessarily a crime. Finally, she'll work to develop both permanent and temporary housing options with services needed to help our most vulnerable neighbors who are unhoused.

External Candidate Links:

Janet Cowell's Website