Full name: Ben Clapsaddle
Party affiliation: Democrat
Campaign website: ben4wf.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 mayor?
I am Ben Clapsaddle, and I am seeking the office of Mayor of Wake Forest. As a Town Commissioner, I have consistently prioritized fairness, respect, and thoughtful planning in our Town government. My candidacy for Mayor is rooted in a commitment to people-first leadership—through responsible budgeting, robust infrastructure, and the unwavering belief that everyone deserves dignity and respect.
My family—Nancy, Ranie, Nathan, and I—have called Wake Forest home for more than two decades. Drawn by the town’s beauty, welcoming spirit, and exceptional schools, we became part of this vibrant community. My background includes service as the North Carolina National Guard’s Senior Army Advisor and membership on the Governor’s Anti-Terrorism and Security Advisory Committee. My leadership experience extends globally, with assignments in Germany, Korea, Iraq, and Pakistan/Afghanistan.
After nearly 30 years of service, I retired as a U.S. Army Colonel and transitioned to roles including Project Manager at Booz Allen Hamilton and Division Chief at Fort Bragg, NC, where I oversaw the integration and training of new technologies and equipment.
These experiences, along with my steadfast belief that “all people are created equal,” uniquely qualify me to represent everyone in Wake Forest.
2) What would your priorities be as mayor? Please identify three of the most pressing issues Wake Forest currently faces and how you believe the town should address them.
I am dedicated to making sure that our exemplary Police and Fire Departments, along with all Town Staff, remain fully staffed, well-trained, and equipped to address our community’s needs—both now and in the future.
Proactive planning will ensure our infrastructure keeps pace with Wake Forest’s growth. I will also strive to maintain top-tier Parks and Recreation facilities, while safeguarding our historic sites and natural spaces.
Fiscal responsibility and openness to community concerns are central to my approach. I will work in close collaboration with Town Commissioners, the Town Manager, Town Staff, neighboring municipalities, County Leaders, Wake County Commissioners, the Wake County School Board, and our State and Federal Representatives to achieve our collective goals.
My priority is to listen to, advocate for, and represent every resident and worker in Wake Forest. I am committed to ensuring that every voice is heard and that all are represented fairly and equally.
3) What’s the best or most important thing the board of commissioners has done in the past year? Additionally, name a decision you believe the town should have handled differently. Please explain your answers.
The most important action the Board of Commissioners has taken was adopting the Wake County Non-Discrimination Ordinance. This was my first priority because it affirms our commitment to ensuring Wake Forest is a community where every resident, employee, and visitor is treated with dignity and respect. By taking this step, we strengthened our values of fairness and inclusivity while also making our town more welcoming to businesses and families who want to be part of a community that celebrates diversity.
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 board of commissioners can or should do to ensure safe, welcoming communities for immigrants in light of these policies?
As Mayor of Wake Forest, I can’t change federal or state immigration policies, but I can set the tone for how our community responds. My priority will always be to ensure that Wake Forest is a safe, welcoming place for everyone who lives, works, and visits. That means treating all residents with dignity, supporting community policing that focuses on safety rather than fear, and making sure Town services are accessible to all families. By collaborating with community groups, nonprofits, and faith leaders, we can strengthen trust, celebrate diversity, and make our public spaces places where everyone feels they belong. This is the climate and culture we must always strive to protect and build upon, regardless of the national or state political climate.
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 this summer. How would you like the board of commissioners to address climate resilience, particularly flooding?
We need to take a proactive approach that prioritizes protecting our natural resources, especially sensitive areas like Smith Creek. Smith Creek flows directly into the Wake Forest Reservoir, shaping its health and water quality. While the reservoir may no longer be our primary source of drinking water, keeping it healthy ensures safe recreation and preserves a valuable asset for our town.
The Smith Creek watershed does even more: it filters water naturally, reduces flooding, and sustains thriving habitats for fish, birds, and other wildlife. And what happens here doesn’t stay here—pollution or careless development in Wake Forest can damage Smith Creek, flow into the reservoir, and travel downstream, affecting communities across the Neuse River Basin.
We must control stormwater runoff through smart planning and investment, protect and expand our green spaces and parks, and ensure that new development doesn’t come at the expense of our environment. Balancing growth with sustainability is essential to safeguard our creeks, reduce flooding risks, and preserve the natural beauty that makes Wake Forest such a special place to live.
6) Federal funding cuts this year have hit the Triangle particularly hard, from cancelled grants to layoffs, and local government officials are having to make difficult decisions about what to fund and how. What are your ideas for how the city council can prioritize competing funding needs, close funding gaps, and balance the financial burden on residents?
As a retired Army Colonel and trained project manager, I understand how to manage resources effectively. Every tax dollar should be respected and put to work for the people. My approach is straightforward: prioritize essential needs, eliminate waste, and invest in what matters most, public safety, roads and infrastructure, parks, and community services.
Our budget should never be just numbers on a page; it’s a reflection of our values. Even in the face of federal funding cuts, I will ensure we make disciplined, responsible choices that protect core services while balancing the financial burden on residents.
7) 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 Wake Forest? How can Wake Forest manage its rapid population growth while ensuring affordability and quality of life?
Sustainable growth means planning ahead so that as Wake Forest grows and we don’t lose what makes this community special. It means protecting our creeks and green spaces, making sure infrastructure keeps up with development, and offering a mix of housing so families, seniors, and young professionals can all afford to live here. It also means creating walkable, vibrant spaces — with community centers and programs that support active aging, so people of all generations feel connected.
One town I really admire is Davidson, NC. They’ve done a great job requiring walkable development, protecting open space, and making sure new projects add to affordability and character instead of taking away from it. Davidson shows that small towns can grow and still keep their identity.
We can do the same. We can expand our parks and greenways, manage stormwater more effectively, and make sure development includes a variety of housing options. By strategically planning, we can manage rapid population growth, keep our town affordable, protect our environment, and keep the high quality of life that brought us all to Wake Forest in the first place.
8) How would you like to see Wake Forest address issues of traffic congestion and transportation access as the town grows and adds density?
Traffic congestion is one of the biggest concerns I hear from residents, and it’s something we have to get ahead of as Wake Forest continues to grow. A lot of our traffic is “pass through” from neighboring communities, so this is truly a regional issue. That means we need to work closely with neighboring municipalities, county, state, and federal partners to improve our major corridors, while also making sure new development is integrated into our existing infrastructure.
We will take steps like improving traffic signal timing, building safer intersections, and calming speeds in our neighborhoods. At the same time, we should expand transportation options — making it easier and safer to walk or bike, investing in greenways that connect neighborhoods to downtown, and supporting regional transit so residents have real alternatives to sitting in traffic.
9) Downtown Wake Forest was selected as a future site for the S-Line passenger rail system, connecting to Raleigh, Richmond, and Washington, D.C. A mobility hub is planned for downtown Wake Forest; what amenities do you think should be included?
The S-Line passenger rail is a great opportunity for Wake Forest!
It will connect us directly to Raleigh, Richmond, and beyond. The mobility hub isn’t just a transportation project, or a train stop, it will be a gateway to Wake Forest and an investment in the future of Wake Forest.
It needs to have safe and convenient parking, bike racks, and connections to bus and shuttle service so people can get where they need to go. It should have comfortable waiting areas, restrooms, and clear signage that’s easy for visitors to navigate. And because this will be many people’s first impression of Wake Forest, the hub should reflect our character — with public art, green space, and maybe even small retail or café options to welcome travelers.
10) How do you feel about the rollout of Wake Forest’s social district? What is your overall vision for downtown development in Wake Forest?
I supported the rollout of Wake Forest’s Social District because it creates a welcoming, inclusive gathering place for everyone — residents, families, visitors, and businesses. The “opt in or out” approach respects individual business owners while encouraging new businesses to join us and contribute to a vibrant downtown.
To gain my support, I insisted on several steps: conducting a study on the placement of public restrooms, exploring options for mini-parks and outdoor seating, ensuring public safety through patrols, technology, and traffic management, and requiring regular reviews of the district’s impact so we can make adjustments as needed. The Board of Commissioners agreed to these measures, which gives us a strong foundation moving forward.
With these safeguards in place, Wake Forest will continue to grow into a destination that truly reflects our community — welcoming, accessible, and enjoyable for all.
11) If there are other issues you want to discuss, please do so here.
This campaign isn’t about politics, it’s about people. It’s about our neighbors, our families, and the community we love here in Wake Forest.
We are at a crossroads. Growth is coming, and with the right leadership, we can manage it in a way that protects what makes Wake Forest special while opening doors for the future.
I’ve built a career bringing people and ideas together to achieve the common good. Now, I want to bring that same dedication and problem-solving spirit to serve Wake Forest.
Together, we can honor our history, strengthen our community, and build the kind of future our children and grandchildren will be proud to call home.
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