The filing period for nonpartisan municipal elections in Wake County begins at noon Friday, July 7, and runs through noon on Friday, July 21. Election Day is Nov. 7.
We know there will be a contest for the mayor’s office because Mayor Vivian Jones has long said she will try for a fifth term and first-term Commissioner Jim Thompson announced in April he will challenge her and not seek a second term as commissioner.
Three-term Commissioner Margaret Stinnett said this week she will not try for a fourth term, meaning no incumbents will be running, leaving the field clear for newcomers. One new candidate, planning board member Thad Juszczak, announced in April he will seek a seat on the town board. Stinnett replied to an email question Wednesday about her intentions, “I have truly loved my time on the board, but three terms is enough. I’ll miss it, but time to move on to my next chapter whatever that may be!!!!”
The filing fee for the office of Wake Forest mayor is $50 and it is $15 for commissioners. The only requirements are that candidates be registered voters and live inside the town. There are no voting districts in Wake Forest so the top two candidates for commissioner seats will be elected.
Wake Forest town elections follow a staggered schedule with the mayor and two commissioners to be elected in 2017, three commissioners to be elected in 2019. Officials are paid; the mayor’s salary is $10,000 and the commissioners are paid $8,000 each.
