Raleigh City Council Endorsements

Citizens for a Safe & Secure Raleigh (CSSR) is proud to endorse the following candidates in the Raleigh City Council general elections on November 3, 2026. These endorsements are based on each candidate’s demonstrated commitment to public safety, experience, and dedication to the well-being of our community.

Download the 2026 Voter Guide

"Keeping our community safe is the most important job of the mayor and City Council.”

-Janet Cowell, mayor

Election Details

General Election Dates

Early Voting: October 15–30, 2026
General Election Day: November 3, 2026

Mayor

Janet Cowell

Mayor since 2024, Cowell is an experienced leader with a background as a Raleigh City
Council member, a North Carolina state senator, state treasurer, and president and CEO
of the nonprofit Dix Park Conservancy. In her position as mayor, Cowell has worked
toward increased investment in public safety, including increased compensation for first
responders.

At-Large

Stormie Forte

A City Council member since 2020, Forte serves as vice chair of the Housing and
Environment Committee and is a member of the Economic Development and Innovation
Committee. A licensed attorney, real estate agent, and consultant, Forte has worked for
the state’s Department of Adult Correction and Department of Health and Human
Services. Forte supports salary increases for the city’s first responders.

At-Large

Clark Rinehart

An entrepreneur and former pastor who has called Raleigh home since 2009, Rinehart
believes public safety is foundational to the city’s growth. Having witnessed Raleigh’s
transformation firsthand, he is focused on expanding affordability, increasing housing
supply, and advancing multimodal transportation. Rinehart has served on the city’s
working group for the former Department of Motor Vehicles site on New Bern Avenue
and is committed to building a Raleigh that is affordable, safe, and sustainable long-
term.

District A

Mitchell Silver

An urban planner and former NYC Parks commissioner, Silver brings extensive
experience in planning, land use, and city systems. Silver believes that public safety
requires creating public spaces where everyone feels safe and welcome. He supports
increased pay and benefits for law enforcement and first responders.

District C

Corey Branch

First elected to the Council in 2015, Branch serves as chair of the Community Safety
and Quality of Life Committee and as a member of the Transportation and Transit
Committee. A private-sector information technology manager, he has served twice as
mayor pro tem. Among his top Council priorities are public safety and economic
development. Branch supports equipping police with adequate compensation,
equipment, and expanding social workers within the Addressing Crises through
Outreach, Referrals, Networking, and Service – or “ACORNS” – team.

District D

Jane Harrison

Current mayor pro tem and District D representative, Harrison understands that public safety is closely tied to how the City Council supports residents, workers, and families. She supports additional training opportunities for first responders, as well as equipping them with the necessary tools to do their jobs effectively.

District E

Marc Scruggs

Former Raleigh City Council member, Scruggs served Raleigh during a period of
significant growth, helping advance pivotal projects including the Lenovo Center and the
North Carolina Museum of History. Scruggs believes that support for first responders is
essential, and that all residents should feel safe in their homes and neighborhoods.