Mario (Be) Benavente

Buket Urgen

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Housing & Urban Development

Public Safety

Transportation & Infrastructure

Education

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Clifton L. Johnson

Courtney Banks-McLaughlin

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Courtney Banks-McLaughlin (Mayor of Fayetteville, North Carolina ...

Courtney Banks-McLaughlin earned a bachelor's degree from Arkansas Baptist College in 2006 and a graduate degree from Webster University in 2009. She is married to an 82nd Airborne Division disabled veteran and they have five children. The family are members of Lewis Chapel Missionary Baptist Church.

Council Member Banks-McLaughlin seeks censure of Mayor Colvin ...

Courtney is currently a member of the Fayetteville City Council, representing District 8. She was first elected in 2019 and is currently serving her third term. She ran for the North Carolina House of Representatives in District 42 in 2024 but did not win.

Believes investing in water access, electricity, and transportation will attract high-quality employers and residents.

Wants to see the city step up its role in addressing homelessness, particularly by contributing to shelter space and collaborating with the county's larger efforts.

Wants to see the city contribute to shelter space and collaborate with the county to address homelessness.

Supports programs that connect youth and community members with law enforcement.

Believes investing in water access, electricity, transportation, and other critical infrastructure will attract high-quality employers and residents.

Established a memorial endowment through the Cumberland County Foundation in honor of her daughter, to benefit students.

Freddie de la Cruz

John Ashford

Kathy Keefe Jensen

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Mitch Colvin

Mitch Colvin jumps into crowded race as 10 candidates file for ...

Mayor Mitch Colvin says he will not run for reelection

Mitch is currently serving his fourth term as mayor of Fayetteville. He was first elected in 2017 and re-elected in 2019 and 2022. Before becoming mayor, he served two consecutive terms on the Fayetteville City Council from 2013 to 2017.

As mayor, focused on economic development, infrastructure, and job creation.

Supports investing in parks, recreation, and infrastructure.

Supports the expansion of Fayetteville Regional Airport and the passage of two voter-approved parks and recreation and public safety bonds totalling $132 million.

Supports increasing affordable housing opportunities and addressing homelessness.

Supports increasing affordable housing and addressing homelessness.

Advocated for and implemented a youth curfew in Fayetteville, applying to those 16 and younger from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m.

Supports expanding the Fayetteville Regional Airport.

Nahlee Iris Smith

Nahlee Iris Smith running for mayor of Fayetteville

Nahlee Iris Smith hopes lived experience resonates with voters in ...

Nahlee Iris Smith is from Orange, New Jersey. She attended Fayetteville Technical Community College and is currently going to seminary school through True Vine Ministries. She lives with her two sons in Fayetteville.

Nahlee Iris Smith (Mayor of Fayetteville, North Carolina, candidate ...

Nahlee's campaign for Fayetteville Mayor is her first entry into politics.

As of September 3, 2025, Nahlee Iris Smith did not have a website or any information online.

Cites her lived experiences, including homelessness, as giving her a unique perspective on the city's challenges.

Paul A. Williams

Tisha S. Waddell

Tisha S. Waddell (Mayor of Fayetteville, North Carolina, candidate ...

Tisha Waddell is from Fayetteville, North Carolina. She has an associate's degree from Fayetteville Technical Community College and attended Hardaway High School. She lives with her husband and children in Fayetteville. She is a Christian.

'Solutions over soundbites': Why former City Council member Tisha ...

Tisha previously served two terms on the Fayetteville City Council from 2017 to 2021, representing District 3. 

Believes in collaborating to prepare local talent for high-wage industries and attract employers who invest in people and the community.

Supports investing in infrastructure, including highways and water systems.

Supports investing in infrastructure to improve regional access and support long-term growth.

Supports balancing law enforcement with crime prevention, youth investment, and cross-agency coordination.

Supports infrastructure investment in Fayetteville and surrounding municipalities to improve regional access and support long-term growth.

As of September 3, 2025, Tisha S. Waddell did not have a website or any information online.

- The mayor leads the executive branch of local government, presiding over city council meetings, making sure city departments run smoothly, and providing services to citizens. 
- The mayor attends and runs City Council meetings, serving as an important leader for how local laws get set. These laws affect local services, such as Police, City Planning, Parks & Recreation, and Transportation.  
- The Mayor in some circumstances may vote to break a tie in council meetings. They do not have veto power.