Candidate Info - Mitchell Silver - Wake County Democratic Party

Mitchell Silver

Raleigh City Council
District A

Mitchell Silver - Raleigh City Council District A

Candidate Statement:

As a former Raleigh Planning Director, New York City Parks Commissioner, and professional urban planner, Mitchell Silver has wide-ranging experiences and a passion for creating equitable cities and public spaces that benefit everyone.

Throughout his career, Mitchell has brought diverse perspectives and experiences together to solve big problems, strengthen communities, and plan a better future. He’ll bring the same approach to the Raleigh City Council, advocating for innovative strategies that make housing more affordable, ensure a sustainable future that preserves our environment, and protect the health and safety of all residents.

Importance of this Race:

Raleigh is growing and changing. We need experienced leadership committed to building a city that works for everyone — and a future that is equitable, affordable, and sustainable. Raleigh’s City Council helps guide our city’s growth, making critical zoning decisions and crafting long-term plans for development. The City Council also sets budget priorities, which include public safety, transportation, parks and recreation, and affordable housing funds. As a City Council member, Mitchell will ensure our city’s budget and policies reflect our values — supporting working families by investing in affordable housing and expanding access to reliable transportation, preserving our environment to protect public health and fight climate change, and keeping our communities safe.

Office Responsibilities:

Members of the City Council are the governing body for for the City of Raleigh. Their responsibilities include:

Appointing the City Manager, City Attorney and City Clerk.
Approval of the budget for the operations of all departments within City government.
Setting the vision and policy for Raleigh’s core services such as the Police Department, Fire Department, and 911 services, as well as the provisioning of clean water, collection of solid waste, and maintenance of our city streets.
Making legislative decisions regarding land use. They set both the broad vision for where development should occur and decide upon individual rezoning cases within Raleigh City limits. Review and approval of grants to nonprofit organizations providing services within the city.
Review and approval of bonds addressing affordable housing, completing transportation projects, and enhancing parks and green spaces.

Issues:

Affordable Housing:

Mitchell Silver knows housing is a human right, and that making housing more affordable for everyone will require bold and innovative thinking at all levels of government. He is proud to support VP Kamala Harris and her plan to build millions of new housing units for working families across the country and to make purchasing a home easier. As a City Council member, Mitchell will advocate for direct investment in affordable housing through housing bonds, community land trusts, and preservation of existing affordable neighborhoods. He’ll support expanding and diversifying our housing supply by allowing additional density in the right places to stabilize property taxes and alleviate development pressure in Raleigh’s existing neighborhoods.

Smart Growth:

Raleigh’s growth presents significant opportunities and challenges. As a professional planner, Mitchell knows Raleigh’s growth should benefit all residents, including both it’s longtime residents and newcomers. That means creating spaces for necessary growth while maintaining the soul of our communities. He’ll advocate for a deliberate, transparent, and community-centered planning process that ensures every resident has a voice in our city’s future. As Raleigh moves to create a new long-range comprehensive plan, Mitchell will use his experience to advocate for growth in the right places, preserving existing neighborhoods, as well as the expansion of public transportation along key transit corridors.

Public Health and Safety:

Mitchell believes healthy and safe communities are key to creating a Raleigh where everyone can live, grow, and thrive. He’ll invest in our law enforcement officers and first responders — raising pay and benefits, providing the highest standard of training, and ensuring we have sufficient infrastructure across the city to respond to emergencies. As a planner and former Parks Commissioner, Mitchell knows that public safety includes creating public spaces where everyone feels safe and welcome. He’ll support investing in parks and community centers equitably throughout Raleigh and protect our green and natural spaces — supporting our environment, natural resources, and the physical health and mental well-being of all residents.

External Candidate Links:

Mitchell Silver's Website