Name as it appears on the ballot: Courtney Banks-McLaughlin

Previous elected offices held: Fayetteville City Council Member (3 terms, since 2019)

Age as of Election Day: 42

Occupation (employer, where you work, what you do): Entrepreneur

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1. Give us your elevator pitch in 200 words or less. Why are you running for this office? What makes you the most qualified candidate?

I’m running for Mayor to bring fresh energy and accountable leadership to our city. What sets me apart as the most qualified candidate is a strong blend of proven experience and deep community connection. With over six years serving District 8 on the Fayetteville City Council, I bring both the experience and institutional knowledge needed to lead effectively.

2. What do you view as the three most pressing issues facing the city as a whole? How will you address them as mayor?

During my three terms, the biggest challenges I have encountered include securing funding for water infrastructure, managing sewer annexation projects, improving drainage systems, and developing the watershed master plan.

To address these challenges, it’s important to secure diverse funding for water infrastructure through grants, partnerships, and budget allocations while maintaining transparency. For sewer annexation, engaging the community early and working with regulatory agencies can ease the process. Drainage improvements should focus on prioritizing high-risk areas and using green infrastructure, with collaboration across jurisdictions when needed. Developing the watershed master plan requires involving stakeholders, using data to guide decisions, and setting clear goals to track progress.

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

In 2024, the City of Fayetteville approved a $97 million bond referendum focused on public safety, infrastructure, and affordable housing. Additionally, the city secured $96.3 million in competitive federal funding, bringing total new investments to $336 million.

However, I believe the council and city staff could have been more proactive in managing the construction projects. With closer oversight and stronger contract enforcement, the delays and extra costs caused by this situation might have been avoided. Early intervention would have better protected the city’s investment and kept projects on track.

4. Last year, the City of Fayetteville sued a contractor for abandoning over $6 million in construction projects. The city has since hired new contractors to finish the projects. What steps will you take to ensure Fayetteville is able to successfully complete capital projects in the future?

As your next mayor, I will prioritize protecting taxpayer dollars by ensuring development projects are delivered efficiently and responsibly. We’ll enforce strong financial safeguards, including escrow accounts that release funds only after verified milestones are met, preventing premature spending.

5. While overall crime in Fayetteville has decreased by around 13% this year, the number of homicides and incidents of juvenile crime have increased. The Fayetteville City Council recently enacted a youth curfew ordinance. Would you have voted in favor of it? How will you work to improve public safety and reduce crime in the city?

Yes, I supported the youth curfew ordinance, not as a quick fix, but as part of a comprehensive strategy to protect our young people and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. While a curfew alone can’t solve deep-rooted issues, it sends a clear message that we are committed to supporting our youth before problems escalate.

6. How will you work to attract and retain new businesses and other development to Fayetteville? Name another municipality you believe has made smart decisions about sustainable growth and development, and describe what it has done that could be implemented in Fayetteville.

I would attract and retain new businesses by boosting economic growth through targeted economic mapping to identify prime development areas, encouraging innovation by supporting entrepreneurs and forward-thinking ideas, and creating vibrant neighborhoods that draw residents, businesses, and long-term investment such as Wake County.

7. The county and city have often struggled to determine who is responsible for addressing homelessness. How would you work with the Cumberland County government and other community partners to decrease homelessness in the city?

The city and county have struggled to coordinate on homelessness, causing delays and gaps in services. I spearheaded Fayetteville’s Day Resource Center to provide vital support like housing, jobs, and mental health services. Moving forward, I’ll work closely with Cumberland County and community partners to build a unified, compassionate system that helps people regain stability and move forward.