Population
499,825
City of Raleigh
Median Age
34.7
Young, professional
Political Lean
D+38
Solidly progressive
Candidates
6
For 2 seats
Race Summary
Six candidates are competing for two at-large seats on Raleigh City Council. The March 3 primary narrows the field to four, who will then face off in the November 3 general election. Early voting runs February 12-28.
Under a new term structure, the top vote-getter in November receives a 4-year term, while the runner-up gets a 2-year term. Municipal primaries typically draw only 15-20% of registered voters, making ground game and name recognition critical.
The N&O endorsed Forte and Siddiqui but praised the "fresh thinking" of Rinehart and Zamot. The primary is effectively a competition to avoid being one of the two eliminated candidates (Bledsoe and Bradley are least likely to advance).
Raleigh Demographics
White52.8%
Black26.6%
Hispanic12.6%
Asian5.2%
Other2.8%
44%
DEM
36%
UNAFF
20%
REP