The NC State Society of Afrikan American Culture and Queen In You joint-hosted Raleigh mayoral candidates Charles Francis (Democrat) and incumbent mayor Nancy McFarlane (Independent) at a forum Monday night, where they discussed their campaigns for election and visions for the city.
The forum was attended by members of the Society and other campus organizations as well as the broader campus community.
“I grew up in D.C. and saw what poor planning could do to a city, and how it was real important to have a plan,” McFarlane said. “I know how important public transportation is to that plan and affordable housing, and that affordable housing is not just what you pay for your unit. We are very focused on integration and public transportation.”
McFarlane is currently running for her fourth re-election bid as mayor. In 2015, McFarlane garnered approximately 75 percent of of 42,103 votes cast.
“We don’t want Raleigh to become another Atlanta, with horrible horrible congestion and even greater division between neighborhoods,” McFarlane said. “Equity is important.”
McFarlane also elaborated on initiatives and policies directly related to the NC State community.
“I like what your chancellor is doing, he is doing some amazing things,” McFarlane said. “I like talking about the possibility of collaboration between NC State and the City of Raleigh.”
A native of Raleigh, Charles Francis has been endorsed by the Wake County Democratic Party for the office of mayor.
“I am running for mayor because we need change in the mayor’s office, we need social mobility, we need people of color to succeed,” Francis said. “It is ridiculous how much it costs for your apartments or your first homes.”
Francis spoke at the forum about reaching out specifically to college campuses and the NC State community.
“I love being on college campuses … one of the most important groups of people in our campaign is millennials,” Francis said. “I don’t want you to think you have to have wait until you are in your 40s to step out there, we need you now. I was in the city council at 29, we need you now.”
In the 2015 municipal elections, turnout in Raleigh was low, with 11 percent of eligible voters casting ballots.
“I need every one of you to vote but I don’t just need every one of you to vote, I need you to bring five people to the polls with you,” Francis said. “I talk to 200 people every day at least, if they all bring five people to the polls with them that’s 1,000 people, times 50 or 60 days we been doing this, that’s 50 or 60,000 versus 40,000 who normally vote in Raleigh, that’s a landslide.”
Francis and McFarlane will face off against Paul Fitts (Republican) in the municipal general election Oct. 10. A runoff election will be held Nov. 7 if no candidate obtains a majority of the vote.
For more information on McFarlane and Francis, check out Dialogue with Technician podcast episodes available on iTunes, Overcast and at technicianonline.com
