{"campaigns":[{"candidatename":"Whitney Hill","chatgptsummary":null,"notes":null,"party":"","person":{"biography":"Whitney Hill is a candidate for Raleigh City Council District\u202fA in the 2026 municipal election, with the general election scheduled for November\u202f3, 2026. The Raleigh City Council operates under a council\u2011manager system; eight council members serve two\u2011year terms, three are elected at\u2011large and five represent districts, including District\u202fA. Council members set city policy, enact ordinances, and adopt the annual budget, while the mayor appoints a professional city manager to run day\u2011to\u2011day operations\u30106\u2020L1-L9\u3011.\n\nHill earned a Bachelor\u2019s degree in Computer Science from North Carolina State University and spent many years in corporate management as a project manager and IT director. In 1996 he founded Carolina Web Consultants, Inc., a firm that provides web\u2011marketing and credit\u2011card processing services to local businesses\u30104\u2020L9-L14\u3011. His professional background includes extensive project\u2011management experience and a long\u2011standing presence in the Raleigh business community.\n\nBeyond his private\u2011sector career, Hill has been active in civic and nonprofit organizations. He chaired the CEO Roundtable program for the Raleigh Chamber of Commerce for two years, served on the Raleigh City Club\u2019s membership committee for over six years, and helped the club raise funds for hospice services. He volunteers with Jobs for Life and has been involved with the Triangle Christian Center for more than three decades. Currently he chairs the Raleigh North Citizen Advisory Committee (RCAC), is a member in good standing of the Raleigh Chamber of Commerce, and continues to volunteer at his church\u30104\u2020L15-L23\u3011.\n\nHill\u2019s campaign platform emphasizes public safety, affordable housing, responsible tax policy, support for small\u2011business owners, and the preservation of Raleigh\u2019s parks. He argues that rapid growth must be managed to keep the city livable for current and future residents, and he pledges to be a \u201cthoughtful and responsive advocate\u201d for District\u202fA constituents\u30103\u2020L1-L9\u3011\u30103\u2020L10-L15\u3011. Endorsements for his 2024 and 2026 runs include former Wake County Sheriff Donnie Harrison, who highlights Hill\u2019s focus on safety and responsible growth, and retired Chapel Hill police Sergeant Ed Brooks, who cites Hill\u2019s community service and advocacy for police staffing and salaries\u30105\u2020L1-L12\u3011\u30105\u2020L13-L20\u3011.\n\nHill previously ran for the same council seat in 2022 and 2024, receiving 28.8% of the vote in 2022 and 33.0% in 2024, though he was not elected in either cycle\u30101\u2020L31-L38\u3011. The 2026 primary was canceled, placing him directly on the November ballot opposite incumbent Mitchell Silver\u30101\u2020L13-L18\u3011. His campaign website provides additional resources for District\u202fA residents and a contact form for volunteers and constituents\u30107\u2020L1-L4\u3011.\n\n## Sources\n- [1] [Whitney Hill - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Whitney_Hill)\n- [3] [Whitney Hill for Raleigh City Council - Whitney Hill for Raleigh NC](https://whitneyforraleigh.org)\n- [4] [About - Whitney Hill for Raleigh NC](https://whitneyforraleigh.org/about-whitney-hill/)\n- [5] [Endorsements - Whitney Hill for Raleigh NC](https://whitneyforraleigh.org/endorsements/)\n- [6] [Raleigh NC District A Resources - Whitney Hill for Raleigh NC](https://whitneyforraleigh.org/raleigh-nc-district-a-resources/)\n- [7] [Let me hear from you! - Whitney Hill for Raleigh NC](https://whitneyforraleigh.org/let-me-hear-from-you/)","firstname":"Whitney","lastname":"Hill","middlename":"W","suffix":"JR","token":"90d07b93d237f28b"},"token":"PAHWFFMcP7pIBocC"},{"candidatename":"Mitchell Silver","chatgptsummary":null,"notes":null,"party":"","person":{"biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\n\nMitchell Silver serves as a member of the Raleigh City Council for District A [1]. He is a nonpartisan candidate seeking re-election to the council in the 2026 cycle [1][9]. On May 18, 2026, Silver officially filed for re-election to the Raleigh City Council [8].\n\nSilver\u2019s campaign website describes him as an experienced leader and former Chief Planning Officer and Planning Director for the City of Raleigh, as well as the former New York City Parks Commissioner [3]. He states that his top concern is housing affordability, particularly for low- and middle-income families, asserting that housing is a human right [7]. His platform emphasizes addressing housing affordability, promoting sustainable growth, and creating a more connected and accessible city [8]. Silver has received endorsements from the Wake County Democratic Party and RaleighForward [6][9].\n\n## Background and education\n\nMitchell Silver is a former New York City Parks Commissioner and the former Chief Planning Officer and Planning Director for the City of Raleigh [3]. He was appointed as Raleigh\u2019s Planning Director in 2005, later adding the role of Chief Planning and Development Officer to his work [4]. While serving as Raleigh Planning Director, Silver was lauded for his unique and community-focused efforts in planning [4]. He made history as the first Black president of the American Planning Association [4].\n\nSilver is running for Raleigh City Council District A to serve the city again [3]. As Raleigh\u2019s Planning Director from 2005 to 2014, he worked to craft a blueprint to guide Raleigh\u2019s growth and development, including the 2030 Comprehensive Plan and Unified Development Ordinance [5]. He states that the top concern for Raleigh is housing affordability, particularly for low- and middle-income families [7]. Silver believes that housing is a human right and that the City Council needs to be bold and innovative to guarantee that housing is affordable and attainable for all [7].\n\nSilver filed for re-election to the Raleigh City Council on an unspecified date in 2026, stating he is proud of the progress Raleigh has made regarding housing affordability, sustainable growth, and connectivity [8]. He describes himself as an experienced leader with a vision for Raleigh\u2019s future [3]. Silver is listed as a nonpartisan incumbent on the ballot [1], [7].\n\n## Career\n\nMitchell Silver was appointed as Raleigh\u2019s Planning Director in 2005, a role he held until 2014 [4]. During his tenure, he later added the title of Chief Planning and Development Officer to his responsibilities [3][4]. While serving as Planning Director, Silver worked to craft a blueprint to guide Raleigh\u2019s growth and development, specifically leading efforts to develop the 2030 Comprehensive Plan and the Unified Development Ordinance [5]. His community-focused planning efforts were lauded during this period, and he made history as the first Black president of the American Planning Association [4].\n\nSilver also served as the New York City Parks Commissioner [2][3]. He has served in local government roles for over 30 years [7].\n\n## Office history\n\nMitchell Silver was appointed as Raleigh\u2019s Planning Director in 2005 [4]. During his tenure, he later added the role of Chief Planning and Development Officer to his responsibilities [3][4]. He served in this capacity until 2014 [5]. As Planning Director, Silver led efforts to develop the 2030 Comprehensive Plan and the Unified Development Ordinance [5].\n\nSilver was appointed as the New York City Parks Commissioner following his time in Raleigh [2][3]. He served in this role until he returned to Raleigh to run for local office [2].\n\nSilver ran for Raleigh City Council District A in 2024 [9]. He is currently an incumbent on the council [7]. In 2026, Silver filed for re-election to the Raleigh City Council [8].\n\n## Legislative record and accomplishments\n\nAs Raleigh\u2019s Planning Director from 2005 to 2014, Mitchell Silver led efforts to develop the city\u2019s 2030 Comprehensive Plan and Unified Development Ordinance, a forward-thinking initiative that engaged residents, neighborhood groups, developers, and small business owners [5]. During his tenure as Planning Director, he also assumed the role of Chief Planning and Development Officer [4].\n\nSilver identifies housing affordability as the top concern for Raleigh, particularly for low- and middle-income families [7]. He states that housing is a human right and argues that the City Council must be bold and innovative to ensure housing remains affordable and attainable for all residents while protecting existing communities [7]. His platform emphasizes addressing this issue alongside promoting sustainable growth and creating a more connected and accessible city [8].\n\nSilver has expressed support for policies related to \"missing middle\" housing, aiming to address issues of density, displacement, and transit data [6]. He self-describes as an experienced leader with over 30 years of service in local government roles, including his time as Raleigh\u2019s Planning Director and Chief Planning Officer [7].\n\nIn the context of his current campaign for re-election to the Raleigh City Council, Silver states that he has taken important steps during his tenure to address housing affordability and promote sustainable growth [8]. He filed for re-election in 2026, noting that there is more work to be done in these areas [8].\n\n## Business interests and wealth source\n\nMitchell Silver\u2019s professional background is rooted in public service and urban planning rather than private business ownership or traditional wealth accumulation. He served as Raleigh\u2019s Planning Director from 2005 to 2014, where he led the development of the 2030 Comprehensive Plan and the Unified Development Ordinance [5]. During his tenure, he also held the title of Chief Planning and Development Officer [4]. Prior to his work in Raleigh, Silver served as the New York City Parks Commissioner [2], [3].\n\nSilver is noted for being the first Black president of the American Planning Association during his career [4]. His financial disclosures and campaign materials focus on his experience in government planning roles rather than personal business interests or family wealth sources. He self-describes as an experienced leader with a vision for Raleigh\u2019s future, emphasizing his history in public administration [3].\n\nIn the context of his current political activity, Silver filed for re-election to the Raleigh City Council in 2026 [8]. Campaign materials indicate that he views housing affordability as a primary concern for residents, stating that housing is a human right and advocating for bold city actions to ensure attainable housing for low- and middle-income families [7]. There are no available sources in the provided list detailing specific business ownership stakes, sales of private enterprises, or significant personal wealth accumulation outside of his government roles.\n\n## Sources\n[1] [Mitchell Silver - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Mitchell_Silver)\n[2] [Mitchell Silver - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mitchell_Silver)\n[3] [Mitchell Silver for Raleigh](https://silverforraleigh.com/)\n[4] [Meet Mitchell \u2014 Mitchell Silver for Raleigh](https://silverforraleigh.com/meet-mitchell)\n[5] [Mitchell's priorities for raleigh](https://silverforraleigh.com/priorities)\n[6] [Mitchell Silver \u2014 RaleighForward](https://raleighforward.org/2024-candidate-questionnaire/mitchell-silver)\n[7] [Endorsements for Mitchell Silver - Blue Voter Guide](https://bluevoterguide.org/NC/candidate_Mitchell_Silver/575661)\n[8] [It's official - today I filed for re-election to the Raleigh City Council!](https://www.instagram.com/p/DR3EuL6jzwo/)\n[9] [Candidate Info - Mitchell Silver - Wake County Democratic Party](https://www.wakedems.org/election-central-2024/candidate-info-mitchell-silver/)","firstname":"Mitchell","lastname":"Silver","middlename":"Joseph","suffix":null,"token":"b73da9109ca447f0"},"token":"MBjH5I1vClfjF3XP"}],"choices":null,"description":null,"district":null,"districtgroup":null,"districtgroupname":null,"districtname":null,"job_type":"city_council","o.office":"city_council","office":"city_council","officedescription":"A city council member (alderman in some towns) serves on the municipality's legislative body, approving the city budget, setting the tax rate, and passing ordinances and resolutions. Members represent a district or the city at large.","officequalities":"- Policy judgment on city matters \u2014 ordinances, services, and land use.\n- Budget literacy: the council approves the city budget and sets the city property-tax rate.\n- Legislative process: drafting, amending, and voting on ordinances and resolutions; committee work.\n- Constituent relations within the district or city.\n- Familiarity with the city charter and municipal issues such as utilities, transit, development, and blight.","officeterm":4,"officetitle":"City Council Member","partisan":0,"pgr":"general","quantity":1,"referendum":null,"source":null,"title":"City Of Raleigh City Council District A"}