Name: Mitchell Silver

Age: 66

Party affiliation: Democrat

Campaign website: silverforraleigh.com

Occupation & employer: Professional Planner

Years lived in the area: 15

1. Given the direction of Raleigh’s government, would you say things are on the right course? If not, what specific changes will you advocate for if elected? 

Raleigh is moving in the right direction, but needs better partners in the General Assembly and federal government to bring down the cost of living and ensure public services are adequately funded. On the local level, Raleigh has made positive changes on community engagement, particularly as we move toward crafting the 2050 Comprehensive Plan. Last year, Raleigh directly engaged over 12,000 residents and gathered feedback on key priorities like housing and growth. I will continue to advocate for the Comprehensive Plan driving our planning decisions. The affordable housing and transportation bonds will also help us move forward by expanding access to affordable housing and reliable transportation services.

2. If you are a candidate for a district seat, please identify your priorities for your district. If you are an at-large candidate or running for mayor, please identify the three most pressing issues the city faces. 

The top concerns in District A are affordability and traffic. The housing and transportation bonds on the ballot this year are important steps to improving both, while keeping property taxes stable. The housing bond works to address housing priorities I have had throughout this term such as investing in new affordable housing, encouraging affordable housing units in new developments, supporting first time homebuyer incentives, expanding the housing supply, and promoting policies that ensure longtime residents can remain comfortably in their homes.

3. What in your record as a public official or other experience demonstrates your ability to be effective as a member of the city council and as an advocate for the issues that you believe are important? 

I have served in appointed public service roles for over 30 years, including as planning director, parks commissioner, and town manager. In each of these roles, my priority was creating inclusive, equitable communities. As Raleigh’s Planning Director, I brought neighborhood groups, developers, small business owners, and community leaders, together to create positive change and unite around a vision for the future. On the city council, I have worked closely with each of my colleagues to build consensus and move our city forward. I’m proud that some of my feedback on issues such as preventing gentrification and displacement have been prioritized by city staff.

4. Raleigh voters will have the option to support a $101.5 million housing bond and a $101.5 million transportation bond this fall. Do you support the bonds? Why or why not?

I supported advancing the bonds on the City Council and encourage residents to vote yes. The majority of Raleigh’s affordable housing bond will support the preservation of existing affordable housing, helping residents stay in their homes, as well as the construction of new affordable housing developments. It will also support homebuyer assistance for first-time homebuyers and assist unhoused individuals in transitioning to permanent housing. The transportation bond goes hand-in-hand with the affordable housing bond, investing in public transportation infrastructure along key mobility corridors. Importantly, both bonds make these critical investments without a property tax increase. 

5. As climate change leads to more intense rainfall, communities are at greater risk of inland flooding, such as the historic floods in parts of the Triangle caused by Tropical Storm Chantal in July 2025. How would you like Raleigh to address climate resilience, particularly flooding? 

I am proud that the City of Raleigh has a Climate Action Plan that has a focus on sustainability, climate and resilience efforts. I will continue to support the Office of Sustainability and other departments to prepare Raleigh against future climate threats. As a former parks commissioner, I used our parks and public spaces as the first line of defense against climate change to capture stormwater, plant more trees to clean the air, water and cool the city. I will continue to advocate for Raleigh to do the same.

6. After a decade of planning, Raleigh scrapped a proposal for the Six Forks Road widening project for bike and pedestrian lanes that would have been financed by transportation bonds that voters had already approved. In southeast Raleigh, construction on Phase 1 of the city’s Bus Rapid Transit system was delayed two years after the city initially failed to attract a bidder. How can city leaders ensure Raleigh keeps its commitments to voters and taxpayers and keeps projects on track from planning through construction, as well as within their budgets?   

City staff is changing its approach to capital planning to ensure commitments to residents are kept while maintaining a balanced budget. After the Six Forks Road widening funds were reallocated, I shared lessons learned with staff based on my tenure as NYC Parks Commissioner managing a multi-billion-dollar capital program. Some of those improvements include advancing design before a project is placed on a bond, developing realistic cost estimates based on the construction start date to adjust prices based on inflation and rethinking the public engagement process to get input with an agreed upon timeline. Raleigh is a growing city and needs to start thinking bigger to deliver for residents.

7. Last fall, Customs and Border Protection agents carried out immigration enforcement operations in Raleigh with no official warning to elected officials or the public. At the same time the Trump administration is working to ramp up deportations and curtail visas, while the legislature has passed laws requiring cooperation with ICE. What do you think Raleigh officials can or should do to ensure safe, welcoming communities for immigrants in light of these policies? 

Everyone deserves to feel safe in Raleigh. President Trump has weaponized ICE to target areas that he feels are not sufficiently supportive of him politically rather than targeting violent criminals. This has not made our community safer and it has caused increased fear and division. Raleigh Police did not participate in last year’s ICE operations and should not in the future. Our focus should be on the safety of the people that call Raleigh home and ensuring the public is aware of their legal rights and resources. 

8. Many local municipalities, including Cary, Durham, and Apex, have introduced moratoriums on new data centers in order to study their impacts and develop regulatory policies. Should Raleigh consider a data center moratorium like its neighbors or should it continue to evaluate proposals for data center projects that require the city’s approval on a case by case basis?

I am proud that the City of Raleigh is ahead of other municipalities in that the City already has rules in place in the Unified Development Ordinance to regulate data centers. Given their rapid expansion and resource usage across the country, I believe a moratorium is necessary to review the existing regulations and create clear guidelines to ensure residents, the environment, and resources are protected. 

9. Last year, the Raleigh Police Department came under scrutiny for its handling of the investigation into the crash that killed Tyrone Mason. Additionally, a former senior officer was fired in May 2025; it was later revealed that the officer conducted illegal searches. How do you think the city should work to build trust between residents and RPD and what role do you think the council should have in overseeing the culture of the police department?

I support the steps that the Raleigh Police Department and Chief Boyce have taken since he began the role last year. He holds both himself and his department accountable for their actions. I also support the Chief’s determination to lead a police force that embraces their oath to serve and protect. I believe trust is increasing and the new Chief has proven he is a community-focused leader who understands the importance of culture, morale, accountability and transparency and I am confident trust will improve over time. 

10. How should the city of Raleigh address homelessness encampments? Have city initiatives such as the Bringing Neighbors Home pilot program been successful in your view? What more should the city do to address unsheltered homelessness?

Raleigh’s Bringing Neighbors Home has been successful. The Care Navigation Team has assisted over 80 households by focusing on housing and resources. The City should expand our work with partners to ensure we have a strong supply of affordable housing under construction and in the development pipeline to ensure housing is available and attainable. Raleigh’s affordable housing bond will also allocate funds specifically to assist individuals in transitioning to permanent housing.

11. As the city adds to its housing stock, how should it continue to address affordability? Do you have ideas on ways the city can work with housing developers or property owners to keep housing affordable for residents? 

Passing the 2026 affordable housing bond, streamlining the approval process, and increasing housing of all types is the best way to keep housing affordable. I am optimistic that the new Anti-Displacement Tools and Strategies I advocated for will help protect residents and help the City Council make decisions to protect vulnerable areas that face displacement pressures.

12. Raleigh’s CACs have been fully restored, and the city has introduced civic assemblies for paid community outreach, among other measures. What more could or should the city do to engage and inform residents?  

I have routinely attended CAC meetings and held community meetings in District A. In-person attendance is often low and could be significantly improved. Raleigh’s community engagement strategy should focus on meeting people where they are, which could include direct door-to-door engagement, online surveys and meetings, and pop-ups at community events. Some of these strategies have already been employed to gather community feedback on the 2050 Comprehensive Plan and we should continue to expand outreach.

13. How should the city address public safety downtown, including around the central bus station and Moore Square Park and in Glenwood South?

Within the last 30 days, the City Council revised two public updates on strategies to improve public safety downtown. The Police Chief has shared his plan for making Glenwood South safer. The Chief also shared his plan to shift the hours of operation for the ACORNS staff to nights and weekends to address public safety concerns. Raleigh is one of the safest metropolitan areas in the country. Crime is down by 20%. Staff is exploring transportation options and routes to alleviate the congestion at Moore Square Bus Terminal and plans are underway to enhance Moore Square. Council authorized the first streetscape improvement to Fayetteville Street. I believe addressing Downtown Raleigh must be a top priority for the next City Council. Downtown must be a place to live, work and play. In addition to public safety, the City must focus on more housing, great public spaces and ground floor experiences for residents and visitors.

14. If there are other issues you want to discuss, please do so here.