John Staford

John Staford earned a bachelor’s degree in architecture from the University of Southern California. He and his wife, Deborah, have been married for 31 years and have lived in Statesville for 19 years. He has served on the Statesville Historic Commission, the Habitat for Humanity board, and as past president of Statesville Historic Preservation. He and his wife have also volunteered with mission work and founded the Statesville Parkinson Support Group.

Election Watch: Staford announces candidacy for Ward 5 seat on ...

John previously served on the Statesville City Council.

Supports business growth and relocation by simplifying city rules and regulations.

Proposes to address vacant and derelict properties by foreclosing on tax or violation liens and reselling them to return to the tax roll.

Plans to make City Utilities policies and practices fair and less burdensome on customers.

Supports foreclosing on tax or violation liens for vacant properties and reselling them to return to the tax roll.

Supports reasonable minimum housing standards and enforcement, and believes in encouraging infill and renovation of existing dwellings.

Supports providing law enforcement with necessary resources, equipment, and personnel.

Proposes moving Highway 64 to improve safety for college students and promote private restoration of historic homes.

As of September 4, 2025, John Staford did not have a website or any information online.

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Walter Ley

John Staford earned a bachelor’s degree in history from the University of California, Los Angeles. He and his wife, Deborah, have been married for 31 years and have lived in Statesville for 19 years. He has served on the Statesville Historic Commission, the Habitat for Humanity board, and as past president of Statesville Historic Preservation. He is also a former member of the Statesville Appearance Commission and founded the Statesville Parkinson Support Group.

Economy

Public Services

Supports reasonable minimum housing standards and enforcement to ensure safe, viable neighborhoods.

Housing & Urban Development

Public Safety

Transportation & Infrastructure

Education

Alex Walker

Shelton L. Moore

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Tip Nicholson

Election Watch: Nicholson announces candidacy for Ward 5 seat on ...

Born and raised in Statesville, Nicholson graduated from Statesville High School and has an undergraduate degree from the University of North Carolina-Charlotte and a masters degree from East Carolina University. He and his wife, Nancy Davis, have two daughters and six grandchildren.

Tip is the general manager of the Statesville ABC Board, where he has worked since 2009. He previously served as the executive director of the YMCA of Iredell County for 25 years and taught school for several years.

Tip previously served on the Iredell-Statesville Schools Board of Education.

Supports boosting the local economy by helping small businesses thrive and creating local jobs.

Supports finding ways to support local schools, especially underperforming schools, despite the city no longer providing funding for the local school system.

Supports boosting the local economy by helping small businesses thrive and creating jobs that stay in Statesville.

Believes in maintaining safety, inclusivity, and community well-being.

Supports "smart, timely investments" in infrastructure to ensure streets are "safe, smooth, and ready for growth."

Wants to support underperforming schools.

- 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. 