Janet Cowell
| |
| Office | Mayor of Raleigh |
|---|---|
| Term started | December 2, 2024 |
| Education | University of Pennsylvania (B.A.) |
| Profession | Public administrator; nonprofit executive |
Janet Cowell is the current Mayor of Raleigh. She was elected in November 2024 and sworn into office on December 2, 2024. Cowell previously served as North Carolina State Treasurer from 2009 to 2017 and has held multiple elected and appointed roles at the local and state level.[1]
Mayor of Raleigh
editRaleigh’s 2024 mayoral election was held on November 5, 2024. Cowell won a five-candidate race to succeed outgoing Mayor Mary-Ann Baldwin.[2][3]
Cowell took the oath of office on December 2, 2024 at a public ceremony alongside the incoming City Council.[4]
Biography
editCowell was raised in Raleigh and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Pennsylvania.[5]
She was first elected to the Raleigh City Council as an at-large candidate in October 2001 and again in 2003.[6] After leaving the Council, Cowell ran for the North Carolina Senate and was elected to represent District 16 in 2004, serving from 2005 to 2009.[7]
In November 2008, Cowell was elected North Carolina State Treasurer. She served two terms from January 2009 to January 2017, overseeing the state pension system, debt issuance, and unclaimed property programs during and after the Great Recession.[8]
After leaving state office, Cowell transitioned into nonprofit leadership. She served as president and CEO of the Dix Park Conservancy and stepped down from that role in October 2024 prior to launching her mayoral campaign.[9]
References
edit- ↑ "About Mayor Janet Cowell" (link). raleighnc.gov. (). Accessed January 30, 2026.
- ↑ "Janet Cowell Wins Five-Way Race for Raleigh Mayor" (link). INDY Week. (November 5, 2024). Accessed January 30, 2026.
- ↑ "Election results: Raleigh NC mayor race. Did Cowell win?" (link). The News & Observer. (November 6, 2024). Accessed January 30, 2026.
- ↑ "City of Raleigh swears in Mayor Janet Cowell, city council members" (link). ABC11 WTVD. (December 3, 2024). Accessed January 30, 2026.
- ↑ "2024 Raleigh mayor candidate profile: Janet Cowell" (link). WRAL News. (October 24, 2024). Accessed January 30, 2026.
- ↑ "Official Summary - Wake County Board of Elections" (link). archive.org. (October 7, 2003). Accessed January 30, 2026.
- ↑ "2024 Raleigh mayor candidate profile: Janet Cowell" (link). WRAL News. (October 24, 2024). Accessed January 30, 2026.
- ↑ "Janet Cowell wins NC treasurer race" (link). The News & Observer. (November 5, 2008). Accessed January 30, 2026.
- ↑ "Janet Cowell to step down as Dix Park Conservancy CEO, eyes Raleigh mayoral run" (link). WRAL News. (July 31, 2024). Accessed January 30, 2026.