Full name: Shannon Russell Hardy

Party affiliation: Unaffiliated

Campaign website: Shannon-Hardy.com

1) In 300 words or less, please give our readers your elevator pitch: Why are you running? Why should voters entrust you with this position? What prior experience will make you an effective member of the Knightdale town council?

I’m a mom that has been raising my two twenty-somethings in Knightdale since 2001. I understand the real challenges of childcare, doctor appointments, traffic as you race to after school care, carpools, and rising costs. I coordinated Planter’s Walk swim meets, co-founded Knightdale 100, served on Lockhart and Knightdale High PTA’s, co-founded the Wake County Community Remembrance Coalition, and currently serve on the East Wake Education Foundation Board. 

I am also a 32-year in-service, public school teacher that sees the best in people, and I believe we are our best when we are in the service of one another. I have a Masters in Educational Leadership from ECU, and was a teacher leader at Exploris, one of NC’s first charter schools. I currently teach 8th and 9th grade math at a WCPSS early college with Shaw University. 

As a council member I will work closely and diligently with my fellow council members, be intentional in supporting family, our diversity, and our connections to natural spaces. As Knightdale grows our challenges are complex, and we need to have difficult conversations rooted in divergent thinking. We need to deepen our partnerships with our HOA’s, non-profits, churches, businesses, schools, and the other municipalities in eastern Wake County. 

2) What would your priorities be as a member of the town council? Please identify three of the most pressing issues Knightdale currently faces and how you believe the town should address them. 

My greatest concern is supporting our families that are our current homeowners. In ten years our town has doubled, and 65% are homeowners. As our community is reeling with higher costs we must secure the stability of our long time residents. Last year our homes were reevaluated and increased 51% in value. Wake County and most towns remedied this impact by lowering the tax rate by $5-14 cents per $100 in value. Knightdale lowered just 1 cent. Knightdale’s budget has increased 59% in just 3 budget cycles. Knightdale has designed a number of progressive programs, but I believe it is creating too much pressure on families that were thriving. The largest employer of Knightdale residents is Wake County Public Schools, and teacher salaries have not caught up to the boom. As a mother and teacher I think I can offer a new perspective as we make future budget decisions.

3) What’s the best or most important thing the town council has done in the past year? Additionally, name a decision you believe the town should have handled differently. Please explain your answers.

In 2024 the town published “Affordable Knightdale & Housing” which defines affordable housing. The plan includes a trust to support home repairs for qualified residents, metrics for efficient permitting, and goals for livability including public transit and walkability. The plan includes a number of thoughtful elements including partnerships. Unfortunately the plan does not address child care, track out camps, or support for our public schools. We must be leaders in collaborating with private, non-profit, and government partners to ensure that every Knightdale resident has access to a quality education.

4) President Trump is working to ramp up deportations and curtail visas. At the same time, the state legislature has passed laws requiring agencies to cooperate with ICE. What do you think the town council can or should do to ensure safe, welcoming communities for immigrants in light of these policies?

My commitment to the Fourth and Fifth Amendment is one of the primary reasons I have decided to run for office. I have every confidence in the professionalism of Knightdale Police Department, but it is not clear to me their authority when working with federal agents. As a co-founder of Wake County Community Remembrance Coalition I am well aware of how lynching ravaged NC in the 1920’3, and will do all that I can to prevent the repeating of this horror in 2025. Lynching was a systemic tool to intimidate and control residents. Wake’s only documented lynching, George Taylor was abducted, hung, and littered with bullets on a critical election night, November 5, 1918. As part of his torture he was tied to the front of a vehicle and driven from Wendell, through Knightdale to Rolesville. As a council member I will insist that we track all persons that “disappear” in our town limits. That we are able to identify the persons, where they have been taken, and do our best to determine if they are treated humanely. I hope that our town will have a plan that includes coordinated welfare checks and support to family members.

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. How would you like the town council to address climate resilience, particularly flooding? 

Knightdale’s UDO is mindful of flooding. I support the many ways that developers are required to design roads and communities to hold water and slow stormwater runoff. The Mingo Creek wetland is a highlight on our greenway, and it is space I believe we can elevate residents connection to our watershed. A holiday “glows” bike parade on Mingo Creek – anyone?

6) Describe what sustainable growth and development mean to you. Additionally, what is another municipality you believe has made smart decisions related to growth and development that could be similarly implemented in Knightdale?

Knightdale is one of the fastest growing towns. I have not been part of many of the challenges and decisions made up until now. I look forward to understanding our “lessons learned.” I appreciate Wendell’s growing downtown/night-life, and look forward to this stage of Knightdale’s growth.

7) In what ways should Knightdale work to promote economic development? What are your goals for Knightdale’s downtown, from historic Old Town to Knightdale Station, and what does the town need to do to achieve those goals?

I live in Knightdale Station and I am invested in Old Town’s success. The community is ready to support this economic opportunity and I look forward to community charrettes to understand unforeseen barriers.

8) Knightdale adopted an affordable housing plan last year. What do you consider to be the most important components of the plan, or are there other areas where the town should be doing more to promote affordability for lower-income residents and families? 

The most important component of our affordable housing plan is partnerships with developers that have successfully built and sustained affordable housing. 

9) Municipalities in western Wake County are recruiting major companies and many have announced plans for expansion into these municipalities. Do you support a similar recruitment strategy for Knightdale? How would you ensure Knightdale remains competitive?

Knightdale has hired a leader to guide Knightdale through a business expansion. I do believe one key step is the opening of the newest Wake Tech Community College campus.

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

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