Suffice it to say that some in this city believed Mitch Colvin had worn out his welcome as Fayetteville’s mayor, but 6,754 city voters or 47.61% beg to disagree, according to unofficial results by the Cumberland County Board of Elections. “First, let me say thank you to God and all of those who voted in the primary election,” Colvin, 52, said Wednesday after a landslide victory in Tuesday’s city primary. “It says to me the people of this city believe that strong, stable leadership is important during these difficult times. Over the next few weeks, we will highlight the importance of collaborative leadership and building a vision for moving our community forward. The largest most successful economies in America are those which are diverse and inclusive. We must continue to open doors for small businesses to have access to opportunities and resources, and build our health care, cyber and technology sectors. This can only be achieved through thoughtful collaboration with our partners. I am up for the challenge.” Colvin, according to unofficial returns, won by 4,185 unofficial votes over Mayor Pro Tem Kathy Keefe Jensen in the 10-candidate race.
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“I’m deeply grateful to the voters of Fayetteville for their confidence and support,” Mayor Pro Tem Kathy Keefe Jensen, 60, said Tuesday night after her 2,459 unofficial votes or 18.11%, according to the Cumberland County Board of Elections, qualified the six-term District 1 councilwoman for a run against Mayor Mitch Colvin for the city gavel in the Nov. 4 general election. “This campaign has always been about you, the citizens and the future of our city — about building a safer, stronger and more connected Fayetteville that works for every family. Tonight’s results show that our message is resonating across our community. As we head toward November, I’ll keep doing what I’ve always done — listening, working hard and bringing people together to get things done. The momentum we’ve built is just the beginning.” Jensen isn’t giving up her quest for mayor, which comes as no surprise to those who know Kathy Keefe Jensen.
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“Utmost gratitude to my family and our incredible team of volunteers and voters,” two-term District 3 Fayetteville City Councilman Mario Benavente, 35, said Tuesday evening after finishing with 1,359 unofficial votes or 9.58% in his failed mayoral bid to qualify for the Nov. 4 general election. “We have no regrets, because we put in the hard work. Today, that work produced important data for us to continue working towards a more just Fayetteville.” Say what you will about Benavente, but he was incredibly gracious in defeat.
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Efrain “Freddie” de la Cruz has failed for a third time to become the Fayetteville mayor, and the retired military veteran could give it another run in 2027. “First and foremost, before I announce another run for mayor, we need new leadership in the Cumberland County GOP,” de la Cruz, 63, said Wednesday in the wake of his fifth-place showing in Tuesday’s mayoral primary, where he garnered 945 unofficial votes or 6.66% in the 10-candidate field, according to the Cumberland County Board of Elections. “We have a dysfunctional party that lacks the ability to get the Republican voters to the polls. Of the 14,000 voters, less than 1,700 voted for Republican candidates. The fact the Independent Conservative Alliance members are all on the executive committee of the Cumberland County GOP and endorsed an unaffiliated over two Republican mayoral candidates during a primary should send an alarm to all the Republicans in the state of North Carolina. As the top Republican vote-getter, during our next convention, if not done beforehand, I plan to use my energy to get the chair for the Cumberland County Republican Party to enforce the plan of the organization’s automatic resignation rule of board members and executive committee members for endorsing a non-Republican.” He says you can learn more by visiting Defending Truth on Facebook.
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“Mr. Kirby, I am writing to respectfully express concern regarding recent coverage that referred to my candidacy for mayor of Fayetteville as a ‘longshot,’” Clifton Johnson wrote in an email about my Oct. 1 column regarding the 10 candidates vying for Fayetteville mayor in the Oct. 7 primary. “While I understand the role of commentary in political journalism, such characterizations — particularly when repeated — can unintentionally discourage civic engagement and diminish the value of voter choice. Voters deserve to feel that their voice matters, regardless of which candidate they support. Additionally, I would like to correct a factual inaccuracy in your reporting. This is not my first bid for mayor; it is my second. Since my previous campaign, I have remained actively engaged in public service. I currently serve as co-chair of the Joint Fort Bragg & Cumberland County Food Policy Council and lead the Transportation and Communication Committee. I was elected to this position by the Board of County Commissioners last year, and my term was extended from two to three years to ensure continuity during critical infrastructure projects, including sidewalks, recreation centers and road improvements. My candidacy is rooted in experience, service and a commitment to the people of Fayetteville. I welcome fair and accurate coverage that informs voters and encourages thoughtful participation in our democratic process. Thank you for your attention to this matter.” You are a nice individual, Mr. Johnson, with good manners, from what I observed in your campaign. But you were a long shot in your quest for mayor. Tuesday’s unofficial returns speak to it: 63 votes for 0.44%. And something else all candidates and government leaders should know: I don’t write for politicians. I write about them.
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“Tuesday’s mayor’s primary was a blow-out for Mayor Colvin,” George Breece, the longtime Cumberland County and state politico, says about the city primary, which saw the four-term mayor obliterate the 10-candidate field with 6,754 unofficial votes or 47.61%, according to the Cumberland County Board of Elections. “He ran up significant numbers, 48% of the vote, and was ahead of the second-place finisher by almost 30 percentage points. Mayor Pro Tem Kathy Jensen made a formidable showing and will move on to the Nov. 4 general election with Mayor Colvin. A 11% turnout of 14,200 voters was more than most thought would vote. I am hopeful that the voters from our nine municipalities in Cumberland County will show up [in the Nov. 4 general election], and just maybe we can come close to setting a record for an off-year election in the last two decades?”
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City residents can hear firsthand from Mayor Mitch Colvin and Mayor Pro Tem Kathy Keefe Jensen about their respective bids for mayor at the Greater Fayetteville Chamber Candidates Forum, which is scheduled from 5:30 p.m.- 9 p.m. Tuesday at Hull Auditorium on the Fayetteville Technical Community College campus. Also participating will be Stephon Ferguson and James L. Thomas III in the Fayetteville City Council District 1 race; City Councilman Malik Davis and challenger Gail Morfesis in District 2; former councilman Antonio Jones and Jeremy Wright in District 3; Councilman D.J. Haire and challenger Stuart A. Collick in District 4; Councilman Derrick Thompson and challenger Kenneth Odegard II in District 6; Councilwoman Brenda McNair and challenger Kathy Greggs in District 7; Shaun McMillan and Rodney Garvin in District 8; and Councilman Deno Hondros and challenger Joe McGee in District 9.
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A Hope Mills candidates forum for mayor and five commissioners’ seats is scheduled for 11 a.m. Saturday at the Hope Mills Recreation Center, according to Erika Burns, who is first vice chair of the Cumberland County Democratic Party. This could be an eye-opening forum where incumbent commissioners Bryan Marley and Joanne Scarola likely will be queried about their July 7 votes to extend two-year terms to four years. Current Mayor Jesse Bellflowers may find himself in the middle of the four-term decision, too. Todd Henderson is challenging Bellflowers for mayor and there are 10 candidates for commission seats.
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If you are into country cooking at its best, you’ll want to be at the 54th Annual Gray’s Creek Woman’s Club Bazaar and Buffet, which is scheduled from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Thursday at the Gray’s Creek Community Building. The menu will include country ham, chicken tenders, chicken and pastry, green beans, lima beans, collards, cabbage, sweet potatoes, potato salad, deviled eggs, relishes, cornbread, rolls, cakes, pies and puddings. Plates are $15, and it’s all you can eat. There will be plenty of political candidates there, too, and it’ll be a perfect time to ask ‘em where they stand on issues.
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Dixon Soffe, a local banker, has been elected to serve as chair of the Fayetteville Technical Community College Foundation, according to a news release. Other officers are Alex Keith, vice chair; Donna Dawkins, treasurer; Whitaker Grannis, assistant treasurer; and Jamie Terracciano, secretary. Newly appointed board members to three-year terms are Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Al Aycock, Sharon Lewis and Deontae Watson.
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Brig. Gen. (Ret.) William “Jay” Gothard was honored by the Cumberland Community Foundation on Sept. 25 as the recipient of the 2025 Mary Lynn McCree Bryan Leadership Award for his board leadership in support of the Armed Services YMCA. Additionally, he serves as a branch representative on the Armed Services YMCA of the USA national board of directors, which elevates Armed Services YMCA Fort Bragg’s mission at the national level. The award was created in honor of Mary Lynn Bryan for her outstanding leadership on the board of directors of Cumberland Community Foundation.
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If you see folks Saturday in kilts and marching around with bagpipes, it’s part of the Scottish Heritage Celebration with a musical performance at 10:30 a.m. at Highland Presbyterian Church in Haymount, and to be followed by the Scottish Heritage Festival Choir featuring the Cross Creek Pipes and Drums at 11 a.m. in the church. The day includes food and activities until 2 p.m. for young and old, and all are welcome.
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Oelfke Leon Canaj, 9, a Chinese immersion fifth-grade student at New Century International Elementary School, recently made international headlines by winning the U.S. Eastern Region Chinese Bridge Competition on May 24 at the China Institute in Manhattan, N.Y., and then traveling with his parents to Beijing, China, where he finished in the top 15 out of 80 students worldwide, according to a news release from Cumberland County Schools. New Century International Chinese teacher, Zhifang Liu, guided the youngster throughout the competitions.
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“Cool Spring Downtown District is pleased to receive funding from the Arts Council in support of our cultural programming for downtown Fayetteville,” Ashanti Bennett, president and chief executive officer, says in a news release about a $55,000 2025-2026 Cultural Organization Resources grant from the Arts Council of Fayetteville-Cumberland County. “With this support, we will be able to expand the engagement of regional performers for the District Vibe at 4th Fridays, a limited series within the regular 4th Friday event that brings artists, vendors, food trucks and performers to the streets of the downtown district, as well as offer additional cultural events and programs throughout the year. We are honored to have this level of support for the work that we do as the management entity of downtown Fayetteville’s arts and entertainment district.” The grants are awarded to nonprofit agencies, universities and government agencies in Cumberland County that demonstrate financial and administrative stability.
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There is a pall along 1800 Seabrook Road, where E.E. Smith High School students and educators are mourning the tragic deaths of three students who lost their lives Wednesday night in a singular vehicle wreck on the 2700 block of Rosehill Road in north Fayetteville. “On behalf of the City of Fayetteville, I extend my deepest condolences to the families, loved ones, teammates and educators mourning the loss of three E.E. Smith High School football players,” Mayor Mitch Colvin said in a statement Thursday. “Our heartfelt sympathies are with the family of the three young members of the E.E. Smith 1800 Family, and our prayers are for healing for the other passenger. We are here for you. Our community’s heart is broken. These young men were part of the Golden Bulls family and of Fayetteville’s future, and their loss is felt across our city. We are keeping the injured individual in our prayers and ask our community to join us in lifting up all who are hurting. In moments like this, Fayetteville leans on one another through our faith leaders, neighbors, alumni and friends to surround the Golden Bulls family with compassion and care.” The mayor doesn’t just speak for the city alone. The mayor speaks for all of us in this community.
Coming Sunday: “I am not guilty of any of this,” censured Hope Mills commissioner says.
Bill Kirby Jr. can be reached at billkirby49@gmail.com or 910-624-1961.
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