Cary elects its mayor, two at-large town council members, and four district town council members to staggered four-year terms in odd-year elections. This year, one at-large seat and two district seats are on the ballot.
There are about 35,000 registered Democrats in Cary, 23,000 Republicans, and 61,000 unaffiliated voters, according to data collected by Wake County this month. The town council leans even more blue, with five Democrats, one Republican and one unaffiliated council member serving currently—though like all of Wake County’s municipal races, Cary’s elections are officially nonpartisan. Voters can check which district they live in here.
Last year, Cary moved its elections from October to November and got rid of its runoff system, which could boost turnout and make it easier for a candidate to win in a crowded field. But that’s not particularly relevant this year, since only two candidates are running in each of the races.
Across the political spectrum, this year’s crop of candidates seem to be focused on housing, the cost of living, environmental preservation and sustainability, and keeping Cary’s tax rates—which are the lowest in the county—stable as the town grows. Here’s who’s running.
Town Council At-Large
One-term incumbent Democrat Carissa Kohn-Johnson is running against unsuccessful Republican senatorial candidate Marjorie Eastman for one of Cary’s two at-large seats.
Kohn-Johnson was elected in July 2022 after Cary postponed its 2021 elections because of the pandemic. According to her campaign website, she’s a marketer at a software company and volunteers as a precinct vice-chair with the Wake County Democratic Party. She writes on the site that she wants to find “practical ways to create a more inclusive and greener Cary,” with affordable housing and sustainability ranking among her top priorities.
Eastman, who filed for this race at the eleventh hour on Friday, previously ran against Tedd Budd for the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate in 2022. She is an author and army veteran, and currently serves on Cary’s Economic Development Committee. She does not appear to have a campaign site.
Town Council District A
Political newcomer Brittany Richards, a registered Democrat, is challenging six-term Republican town council member Jennifer Robinson, who’s occupied this seat since 1999.
Robinson works in software development and has served as Cary’s mayor pro-tem since late 2023. On her website, she touts accomplishments like approving parks and greenways, setting environmental standards, and implementing policies that make the town an “aesthetically pleasing, safe, and easy place to live.”
Richards, Robinson’s challenger, talks on her website about keeping Cary “welcoming” and “vibrant”—specifically by protecting the tree canopy, maintaining the quality of town services like senior centers and the 311 service, and supporting the development of housing that is affordable to “public servants, seniors, and workers earning below the median area income.” She writes that she has experience working for universities and nonprofits, and that advocating for the preservation of Lake Crabtree County Park is what galvanized her to run for office.
Town Council District C
Sitting District C town council member Jack Smith isn’t seeking reelection after 36 (!) years in office, leaving this race wide open.
Bella Huang is a registered Democrat who’s already locked down endorsements from a laundry list of state senators, representatives, county commissioners, and school board members. According to her website, she’s the VP of a small business and the co-founder of the NC Asian Americans Alliance and the Margin of Victory Empowerment NC Foundation—which hosts youth programs and operates a PAC that advocates for voter participation. Her campaign website mentions addressing the high cost of living in Cary and improving the town’s walk- and bikeability as some of her policy goals. She appears to be a first-time candidate.
Renee Miller is a management consultant and registered Republican who lists public safety, environmental conservation, and “common sense” (read: low taxes) among her top priorities. Miller previously ran against Smith for the District C seat in 2022, falling short by fewer than 600 votes.
Correction: A previous version of this article incorrectly stated Miller appeared to be a first-time candidate.
Chloe Courtney Bohl is a Report for America corps member. Follow her on Bluesky or reach her at [email protected]. Comment on this story at [email protected].