RALEIGH, NC –  Raleigh voters will pick a new mayor and City Council members this November. All eight council seats, including the mayor’s, are up for grabs, with all the incumbents except for current Mayor Mary-Ann Baldwin seeking another two-year term.

Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 5. Early voting runs from Thursday, Oct. 17, through Saturday, Nov. 2.

The News & Observer
By Josh Shaffer
September 26, 2024

To help inform voters across the state, this candidate questionnaire is available to be republished by local publications in North Carolina without any cost. Please consider subscribing to The News & Observer to help make this coverage possible.

Name: Joshua Bradley

District/seat: Raleigh City Council, at-large

Political party: Socialist Party USA and North Carolina Green Party

Age as of Nov. 5, 2024: 50

Campaign website: bradleyforraleighworkers.com

Current occupation: Hotel accountant

Education: Some college

Please list any notable government or civic involvement.

Co-Chair of Northern Piedmont Local of the Socialist Party USA, frequent speaker at City Council, organizer. Offices Sought/Held: 2019, ran for Raleigh City Council, District A. 2022, ran for Raleigh City Council At Large.

Which city council district do you live in?

A.

What is the top issue facing Raleigh now and how would you address it?

Housing for workers, the poor, and the unhoused. This is not a quick answer. I would work to find a way to expand access to housing for people who make less than 50% of the AMI.

Inclusionary zoning would help, and it has been used in other cities in NC. I would also push for a city building department to develop city-owned land for housing that is affordable to workers, the poor, and the unhoused. Until enough housing is achieved, I would push to expand services for the unhoused and work to get them access to necessities until such time as housing can be constructed for everyone that needs it. I would also push to use more city buildings to keep people safe during high-temperature days, white-flag days, and during weather emergencies. I would push to keep the Raleigh Police Department from harassing the unhoused in the city.

What is your strategy for increasing affordable housing in Raleigh?

See above. Also, If inclusionary zoning is not allowed by the NC General Assembly, I would push to halt all rezoning until a way is found to allow for inclusionary zoning. I would work to find a way to expand access to housing for people who make less than 50% of the AMI. Inclusionary zoning has been used in other cities in NC. I would also push for a city building department to develop city owned land for housing that is affordable to workers, the poor, and the unhoused.

Should the city be more aggressive about requiring affording units from developers or partner with nonprofits?

Both.

Do you think Raleigh can support concert venues both downtown and in Dix Park?

Maybe. Would you describe Raleigh’s growth as too fast, too slow or just right? Too fast. We need to make sure everyone currently in the city is taken care of before encouraging more people to move here.

Read more at: https://www.newsobserver.com/news/politics-government/election/voter-guide/article292962609.html#storylink=cpy