Janet Cowell appears to have won reelection as mayor of Raleigh on Tuesday, November 3, defeating Ashleigh Heath Armstrong, according to unofficial preliminary results from the North Carolina State Board of Elections (NCSBE). Her new term will be four years.
At 8:55 pm, with 84.84% of the votes counted, Cowell had 94,136 votes, compared to Armstrong's 15,919 votes and 14.27%, according to NCSBE indicatesThe results are preliminary and pending certification.
First elected in 2024, Cowell will continue as mayor as the city faces decisions about housing, transportation, and utilities that affect the daily lives of its residents.
Housing and support for Latino families
During a community conversation organized by Enlace Latino NC in SeptemberCowell identified housing as his top priority. He mentioned the construction of subsidized units, home preservation, and programs to help homeless people access permanent housing.
The mayor acknowledged that the benefits of Raleigh's growth are not distributed equally and that some families face difficulties remaining in the city.
When asked what Latino and immigrant families could expect from a second term, she pledged to maintain ties with community organizations and facilitate contact with city officials to address their concerns. She also noted that her office offers services in Spanish.
Transport and municipal services
Cowell advocated for investments in buses, sidewalks, and bike lanes, in addition to roads. He explained that planning for new housing should consider proximity to schools, parks, and shops.
Before becoming mayor, Cowell served as a Raleigh city council member, state senator, and North Carolina treasurer. She also led the Dix Park Conservancy.
His new term will be longer than his first. electoral changes adopted by Raleigh They establish a four-year term for the mayor starting with this election. The next regular election will be in 2030. There is no term limit for the mayor.
The City of Raleigh operates under a council-manager system: the mayor presides over the Council and votes; the city manager directs operations.



