If you’re walking down Fayetteville Street or grabbing a coffee in the Warehouse District, you might still hear people mention Mary-Ann Baldwin. It makes sense. She was the face of the city for years. But things changed recently. Janet Cowell is the Mayor of Raleigh, North Carolina. She took the oath of office on December 2, 2024.
Honestly, if you haven't been glued to local municipal news, the shift might have passed you by. Cowell didn't just stumble into the role; she won a pretty decisive victory in the November 2024 election, pulling in nearly 60% of the vote against a crowded field of challengers.
The Transition from Baldwin to Cowell
Mary-Ann Baldwin decided not to seek re-election in 2024, citing family health reasons. That opened the door for a massive shift in leadership. While Baldwin was known for a "pro-growth" stance that sometimes rankled neighborhood preservationists, Cowell entered the race with a massive resume.
You've probably seen her name before if you follow state politics. She wasn't just some newcomer. Janet Cowell was the first woman to serve as North Carolina’s State Treasurer. Before that, she was a State Senator and even served on the Raleigh City Council back in the early 2000s. Basically, she knows where the bodies are buried—politically speaking.
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What Janet Cowell Is Doing Right Now
It is January 2026, and Cowell is deep into the meat of her two-year term. The "honeymoon phase" is officially over.
Her administration just pushed through a $1.78 billion budget for the 2026 fiscal year. One of the biggest wins she’s touting? No property tax increase for residents this year. That’s a tough needle to thread when the city is growing as fast as Raleigh is.
The Big Issues on the Mayor’s Desk
- The "Missing Middle" Housing Debate: Raleigh is expensive. We all know it. Cowell has been trying to balance the need for more housing density with the vocal concerns of long-time residents who don't want a duplex next to their 1950s ranch house.
- Public Safety and Chief Rico Boyce: One of Cowell’s first major moves was overseeing the transition to a new Police Chief, Rico Boyce. They’ve been leaning hard into programs like "Cops on the Block" to try and get response times down.
- The Red Hat Amphitheater Move: This has been a saga. To expand the Raleigh Convention Center, the city has to move the beloved outdoor music venue. Cowell’s office has been the primary mediator between downtown business owners and developers to make sure the music doesn't stop.
Is Raleigh Actually Getting More Affordable?
If you ask the average person waiting for the bus on Wilmington Street, they’ll probably say no.
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A poll from late 2025 showed that about 70% of Raleigh voters feel the city isn't doing enough for affordable housing. Cowell is caught in a hard spot. She’s been pushing for "diversified housing options," which is politician-speak for building more stuff that isn't just luxury condos.
She has a net +19% approval rating as of December 2025. That’s decent for a mayor in a high-growth city, but it shows there’s a lot of "wait and see" happening.
The 2026 Election Looming
Believe it or not, because Raleigh mayoral terms are only two years, the cycle is already starting again.
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Janet Cowell is running for re-election in November 2026. She’s already facing a challenge from Ashleigh Heath Armstrong. The primary that was supposed to happen in March 2026 was actually canceled, so it’s going to be a straight shot to the general election in November.
Actionable Steps for Raleigh Residents
If you actually want to have a say in how the city is run, just knowing who the mayor is isn't enough. Raleigh’s government structure gives a lot of power to the City Council, not just the Mayor's office.
- Watch the "Mayor's Corner": The city website (raleighnc.gov) actually has a decent blog where Cowell posts updates on things like the Dix Park Gipson Play Plaza and the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) projects.
- Sign up for the "Bringing Neighbors Home" updates: If you care about housing, this is where the actual zoning changes get announced before they happen.
- Check your voter registration: Since the municipal election is coming up in November 2026, make sure your address is current with the Wake County Board of Elections, especially if you've moved recently to one of those new apartment complexes downtown.
The Mayor of Raleigh is more than just a figurehead; they set the tone for how the "City of Oaks" handles the massive influx of people coming here every day. Janet Cowell has the financial background to manage the growth, but the next twelve months will determine if she can keep the "Raleigh feel" while the city scales up.
To stay informed, you should attend a City Council meeting at the Raleigh Municipal Building on West Hargett Street; they are open to the public and usually happen on the first and third Tuesdays of the month.