Two more candidates emerge as filing closes – THE RANT

Louis is a carpenter. He has also worked within the legal, retail and homeless sectors.

Louis D. Williams (Sanford City Council At-Large, North Carolina ...

Petty knocks off longtime incumbent Williams for Sanford Council seat

Louis previously served on the Sanford City Council for 26 years, from 1997 to 2023. He ran for an at-large seat on the council in 2025 but did not win.

Q&A: City Council candidates Linda Rhodes and Louis Williams

Wants to make Sanford a "self sustainable region, with farming and industry work side by side..."

Believes the council has neglected business owners by tabling issues without follow-up.

- Wants to make Sanford a "self sustainable region, with farming and industry work side by side..."
- Believes the council has neglected business owners by tabling issues without follow-up.

Economy

Supports physical town hall meetings, saying "The public should know and fully participate in the planning of projects before seeking contracts and not just in the paying process."

Wants to improve relations with the Latin community.

- Supports physical town hall meetings, saying "The public should know and fully participate in the planning of projects before seeking contracts and not just in the paying process."
- Wants to improve relations with the Latin community.

Public Services

Believes Sanford lacks sufficient dining and entertainment options.

Believes growth will change Sanford in ways that will make it more like the Triangle, which is not why people moved there.

Believes that rapid development without revitalizing older neighborhoods harms the community.

Supports community gardens on vacant lots and incentivizing the updating or selling of abandoned properties.

- Believes Sanford lacks sufficient dining and entertainment options.
- Believes growth will change Sanford in ways that will make it more like the Triangle, which is not why people moved there.
- Believes that rapid development without revitalizing older neighborhoods harms the community.
- Supports community gardens on vacant lots and incentivizing the updating or selling of abandoned properties.

Housing & Urban Development

Supports updating or selling abandoned properties to reduce crime.

Supports updating or selling abandoned properties to reduce crime so that "the resources spent in policing and apprehending criminals can be rerouted to more benevolent uses."

Believes resources spent on policing and apprehending criminals can be redirected to more "benevolent uses."

- Supports updating or selling abandoned properties to reduce crime so that "the resources spent in policing and apprehending criminals can be rerouted to more benevolent uses."
- Believes resources spent on policing and apprehending criminals can be redirected to more "benevolent uses."

Public Safety

Believes the top issue facing the city is providing water and sewer for various businesses through TriRiver Water.

- Believes the top issue facing the city is providing water and sewer for various businesses through TriRiver Water.

Transportation & Infrastructure

Education

Louis D. Williams

Believes the top issue facing the city is providing water and sewer for businesses through TriRiver Water.

Believes the top issue facing the city is providing water and sewer for businesses.

As of September 25, 2025, Louis D. Williams did not have a website or any information online.

Buket Urgen

Linda Kelly Rhodes (Sanford City Council At-Large, North Carolina ...

Linda Kelly Rhodes: Sanford

Linda is a retired professional working at UNC-Chapel Hill within the General Alumni Association, the School of Social Work, and the Department of Athletics.

Linda Kelly Rhodes currently serves on the Sanford City Council, at-large. She was elected in 2022 and is serving her first term. 

Q&A With Candidates

Supports continued economic development to provide local career opportunities and values the impact of Central Carolina Community College (CCCC) on the labor market.

- Supports investment in small businesses.
- Supports continued economic development to provide local career opportunities and values the impact of Central Carolina Community College (CCCC) on the labor market.

Supports maintaining Sanford's unique identity through thoughtful planning, protecting historic neighborhoods, and investing in community spaces.

- Supports maintaining Sanford's unique identity through thoughtful planning, protecting historic neighborhoods, and investing in community spaces.
- Supports expanding broadband access.

As of September 25, 2025, Linda Kelly Rhodes did not have a website or any information online.

Supports public safety measures such as police, fire, and emergency medical services (EMS) and wants to invest in parks, recreation, and community spaces.

- Supports public safety measures such as police, fire, and emergency medical services (EMS) and wants to invest in parks, recreation, and community spaces.

Advocated for large projects to support long-term planning for downtown growth.

Supports investments in infrastructure, including roads, water, and transportation.

- Advocated for large projects to support long-term planning for downtown growth.
- Supports investments in infrastructure, including roads, water, and transportation.

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Linda Kelly Rhodes

Linda Kelly Rhodes (Democratic Party) is running for election for an at-large seat of the Sanford City Council in North Carolina. Rhodes is on the ballot in the general election on November 4, 2025. Linda Kelly Rhodes and Louis D. Williams are running in the general election for Sanford City Council At-Large on November 4, 2025.

Linda's campaign for an at-large seat on the Sanford City Council is her first entry into politics. 

Advocated for large projects to support long-term planning for downtown's growth.

- City council members work together to set and implement city policy. 
- The city council is tasked with ensuring the health, comfort, and safety of residents of the city.
- City council members work with the mayor to govern city departments, such as the police department, fire department, transportation department, and parks and recreation department. 
- City council members represent either the whole city or residents of a specific district. 