Raleigh voters will pick a new mayor and City Council members this November.
All eight council seats, including the mayor’s, are up for grabs, with all the incumbents except for current Mayor Mary-Ann Baldwin seeking another two-year term.
Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 5. Early voting runs from Thursday, Oct. 17, through Saturday, Nov. 2.
To help inform voters across the state, this candidate questionnaire is available to be republished by local publications in North Carolina without any cost. Please consider subscribing to The News & Observer to help make this coverage possible.
Name: Jane Harrison
District/seat: Raleigh City Council, District D
Political party: Democrat
Age as of Nov. 5, 2024: 39
Campaign website: janeforraleigh.com
Current occupation: Environmental economist
Education: PhD, Natural Resource Management
Offices sought/held: Incumbent City Council, District B
Please list any notable government or civic involvement .
•City Councilor, District D
•Chair, Raleigh City Council Growth and Natural Resources Committee
•Vice Chair, Upper Neuse River Basin Association
•Advisory Board Member, NC Water Resources Research Institute
•Past Chair, West Raleigh CAC (Community Advocacy Council)
Which Raleigh City Council district do you live in? D
What is the top issue facing Raleigh now and how would you address it?
Environmental Stewardship: We need to take the long view to care for our environment. We all benefit from clean air and water, parks for recreation, and beautiful places to take a pause.
I am committed to protecting our waterways and greenspaces. I advocate for investments in our natural amenities and improvements to transit infrastructure to reduce fossil fuel dependence. I am a strong voice for climate adaptation. We must act to reduce flooding and heat waves, and protect our tree canopy.
During my term, we prohibited the use of invasive plants in the city, authorized a tree preservation and planting master plan, and completed a residential solar incentive program to incentivize alternative energy. We also broke ground on the New Bern Bus Rapid Transit line and are beginning an e-bike incentive program to help folks ditch their cars.
I will continue to advocate for forward-thinking environmental policy that improves our quality of life and safeguards our natural resource assets.
What is your strategy for increasing affordable housing in Raleigh?
I am committed to using every tool in our toolbox to ensure housing affordability. One major step the City Council taking is a new program to provide direct rental assistance for individuals experiencing homelessness. Federal programs from HUD offer housing vouchers but they take on average 5 years to access. The city’s program will have much less red tape and allow us to assist folks in need immediately. The idea is to get people into apartments and bypass shelter beds completely. The Raleigh City Council approved $5 million in pilot funding, and I expect we will need to increase funding to meet demand and achieve housing stability for our most vulnerable residents.
At EVERY Raleigh City Council meeting, we approve funds and policy to increase the availability of affordable housing and preserve affordable housing for low and moderate-income residents. The city of Raleigh is purchasing property like the DMV site on New Bern Avenue to convert into income-restricted housing. We also provide funds to subsidize affordable housing projects and reduce rents in partnership with nonprofit housing developers. For example the City Council approved funds to maintain naturally occurring affordable housing with the Grosvenor Gardens apartment complex in my district. Without our emergency funds, they would have had to raise rents for low-income tenants.
Should the city be more aggressive about requiring affordable units from developers or partner with nonprofits?
It’s critical that we evaluate developers’ proposals with a focus on public benefits, including affordable housing. In assessing rezoning cases, I examine city planning documents like community area plans; analyze staff reports on infrastructure concerns; assess opportunities for benefits like affordable housing, greenway connections, and green stormwater management; and consider perspectives from impacted and concerned neighbors. In my term, District D has had more rezoning cases that include affordability conditions than any other district. I spend a great deal of time negotiating for public benefits and can show receipts.
Do you think Raleigh can support concert venues both downtown and in Dix Park?
The Red Hat Amphitheater is essential to downtown, contributing significant economic impact and providing a beloved concert experience. I am committed to Red Hat staying downtown for years to come. Dix Park has a concert venue in its master plan but no current funding to support it. I would need more details about the Dix Park venue size and goals to determine whether any public tax dollars should support concert infrastructure there.
Would you describe Raleigh’s growth as too fast, too slow or just right?
Raleigh’s growth puts a strain on resources, and the city must reinvest in infrastructure and amenities for Raleigh residents to continue a high quality of life. Growth also adds to the tax base which allows the city to pay for improvements, from sidewalk repairs to parks to new sports and entertainment venues. It’s a double-edge sword.
Do you think Raleigh is losing too many historic properties? If so, how should this be addressed?
Raleigh’s unique history and iconic neighborhoods should be protected. Local government doesn’t always have a say in private property owner decisions, but when we do have influence, we work to protect historic assets. I value recommendations from the Raleigh Historic Development Commission and work to maintain our most beloved historic resources. I tend toward compromise, attempting to safeguard historic character and still allow change for the betterment of our greater community.
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