I didn't arrive at this decision lightly or impulsively. After exploring a potential run this summer and talking to community members and local residents, I came to a clear conclusion that right now I can best serve my city by running for mayor.

Our future is bright within the City of Raeford however there are valley areas that have some shared concerns:

• Economic Development: We must focus on growing our economy and supporting small businesses, while also building larger partnerships that benefit our city.

• Public Education: We must strengthen our schools and ensure our children succeed so they can return to Raeford as productive citizens.

• Social Concerns: We must invest in our aging population and expand opportunities for youth activities, community engagement, and entertainment.

• Infrastructure: We must create a long-term, sustainable plan to address parking and other downtown infrastructure challenges.

• Leadership: We must have a leader who champions our growth, celebrates our community’s spirit, and positions Raeford to become an All-American City.

To be clear, these are challenges that would've faced any mayor over the past three years, so I am not going to blame our current mayor for the existence of these issues. But how a mayor leads and how an administration responds to challenges can make all the difference both in how a problem is addressed and how the public feels about the response. And I believe my accessible, collaborative, and decisive approach to leadership is what Raeford needs to take this city forward.

As your mayor, I will continue my commitment to being available by email, text, and phone, while also holding regular evening office hours at City Hall. My door will always be open. I never forget who I work for, and I value hearing directly from the people of Raeford. This is how I will keep my ear to the ground and know what's happening around the city.

As a person that is a relentless problem-solver. I'll aggressively pursue a policy agenda that creatively addresses the problems and concerns of our community, while constantly looking to improve our delivery of programs and services, and totally rethinking how we're engaging with the public to ensure strong two-way communication.

This campaign will not be about slogans—it will be about conversations. I plan to personally connect with every voter and encourage those who do not usually participate in local elections to make their voices heard. If you are interested in hosting a small gathering of friends and neighbors, I would love to join you for an honest conversation about Raeford’s future.
Running for mayor is expensive, and I'm bringing on top-quality, experienced campaign staff to help ensure I get my message out to voters effectively. Campaigns are often judged by their fundraising, so it is important to build early momentum. If you believe in this vision for Raeford, I invite you to invest in our city’s future by making a financial contribution.

Together, we can build on what makes Raeford special, address the challenges ahead with creativity and care, and write the next great chapter in our city’s story.