Cyril Anthony Jefferson

Cyril Anthony Jefferson is the Democratic nominee for the U.S. House of Representatives in North Carolina’s 6th Congressional District in the 2026 election, appearing on the November 3, 2026 general‑election ballot after winning the March 3 Democratic primary with 39.2% of the vote【1†L31-L38】. The U.S. House requires members to be at least 25 years old, have been a U.S. citizen for seven years, and reside in the state they represent; Jefferson meets these constitutional criteria and is a resident of Guilford County, part of the 6th District【1†L1-L4】.

Born in Utica, New York, Jefferson pursued higher education in North Carolina, attending North Carolina A&T State University and High Point University for his undergraduate studies【1†L13-L15】. He began his professional life as a public‑ and private‑school teacher, later expanding into youth development consulting, motivational speaking, and business ownership through his Change Often Social Innovation Firm【15†L9-L13】.

Jefferson entered local politics as a member of the High Point City Council, serving four years before running for mayor. In the 2023 municipal election he won the mayoral race with 56.55% of the vote, becoming the city’s first Black male mayor and the second person of color ever elected to that office【20†L1-L7】【19†L1-L3】. As mayor, he has emphasized public‑private partnerships that delivered a 67% reduction in violent crime, secured $10 million for workforce‑development programs, and helped attract the professional soccer team Carolina Core FC to the region【7†L1-L4】【8†L1-L4】. He also joined the national “Take BAC Congress” reform initiative, advocating for congressional term limits, overturning Citizens United, and banning stock trading by members of Congress while in office【10†L1-L8】.

In August 2025 Jefferson announced his candidacy for Congress, filing with the Federal Election Commission and stating he would not use personal funds above federal thresholds【18†L1-L5】. The campaign is organized under the website CyrilForCongress.com, which outlines priorities such as affordability, healthcare, education, public safety, economic development, and national‑security reforms【7†L5-L12】. His congressional platform builds on his mayoral record, promising to bring the same results‑first approach to Washington.

Jefferson’s electoral résumé includes a 2019 victory for High Point City Council Ward 1, where he defeated incumbent Willie Davis with 55% of the vote【1†L24-L27】, and a 2023 mayoral win that made history for the city【20†L1-L5】. In the 2026 Democratic primary he prevailed over three opponents, securing 15,237 votes【1†L33-L38】, and now faces incumbent Republican Rep. Addison McDowell and Independent Joshua Hager in the November general election【1†L19-L22】. Throughout his career he has been affiliated with organizations such as the United Way, the Chamber of Commerce, the NAACP, and the Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative【1†L16-L18】.

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