Safiyah Naeemah Jackson

Safiyah Jackson is the incumbent Wake County Board of Commissioners member for District 2 and is seeking re‑election in the November 3, 2026 general election as the Democratic candidate. She currently serves as vice chair of the Board, a role she assumed after her appointment to the seat in 2025, and chairs the Affordable Housing Committee while acting as liaison to the Wake County Housing Authority and Passage Home Boards【3†L1-L8】. The Democratic primary for the 2026 race was cancelled, so she advanced to the general ballot unopposed in the primary【1†L13-L18】.

Jackson earned a Bachelor of Business Administration and an MBA from Florida A&M University, followed by two master’s degrees—one in Early Childhood and another in School Psychology—from National Louis University【4†L31-L38】. Her academic background underpins a career focused on early‑childhood advocacy and community development.

Professionally, Jackson has held senior nonprofit and strategic roles. She is the chief strategy officer for the North Carolina Partnership for Children/Smart Start Network, where she guides policy and program initiatives aimed at improving outcomes for the state’s youngest residents【8†L13-L18】【9†L1-L4】. Earlier, she managed day‑to‑day operations for Ford Motor Company and has served on the board of Raleigh Little Theatre, reflecting a blend of corporate, nonprofit, and arts experience【4†L45-L53】. Her résumé also includes leadership positions in museums, preschools, family child‑care homes, early elementary schools, and both public and private philanthropic organizations【4†L45-L53】.

Jackson first entered electoral politics in 2024, running for North Carolina House District 37. She lost to incumbent Republican Erin Paré, receiving 45.3 % of the vote【1†L31-L38】. Following that campaign, she was selected by the Wake County Democratic Party and unanimously appointed by the Board to fill the vacated District 2 seat after Matt Calabria’s resignation【9†L1-L8】. In her first year on the Board, she was elected vice chair and took on the Affordable Housing Committee, emphasizing her focus on housing stability for families.

Her platform for the 2026 commissioner race centers on early‑childhood development, affordable housing, transportation infrastructure, and cost‑of‑living relief. She highlights continuity with the county’s 2029 strategic plan, improvements to greenways and traffic congestion, and expanding access to health‑care and childcare services【5†L1-L22】. Jackson also stresses the importance of preserving democracy and voting rights, public safety, and balanced fiscal solutions as part of a broader “Strong Foundations, Balanced Solutions” agenda【5†L23-L30】.

Jackson’s public statements consistently reference her personal background—granddaughter of a domestic worker, daughter of middle‑class parents, and upbringing in a close‑knit church and community—as shaping her commitment to nurturing environments for children and families【4†L1-L9】. She continues to write children’s books on civic engagement and remains active in the local arts scene, reflecting a holistic approach to community building.

If elected to a full term, Jackson aims to build on her work as vice chair, advancing affordable housing initiatives, supporting early‑learning programs, and addressing transportation challenges to ensure Wake County remains a multi‑generational home for all residents.

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