McFarlane Beats Out Incumbent Raleigh City Councilman

Incumbent Raleigh City Council Member Tommy Craven was ousted Tuesday after voters chose his challenger, Nancy McFarlane.

McFarlane received 54 percent of the votes while Craven had 46 percent.

In a questionnaire posted on WRAL.com, McFarlane, 51, said she wants to increase impact fees to developers, promote an adequate school ordinance and make sure police and fire departments have enough resources to keep the community safe.

Incumbent Russ Stephenson and fellow candidate Mary-Ann Baldwin were elected as Raleigh City Council members At-Large. Stephenson had 29 percent of the votes and Baldwin had 27 percent.

Stephenson said his priorities include planning for quality growth, keeping taxes low and working on natural resource conservation.

Baldwin's priorities include more effective communication among leaders, passage of a new comprehensive plan and preservation of the Dorothea Dix property as a destination park.

For Raleigh's District B council seat, Rodger Koopman led the field with 44 percent of the votes. Incumbent Jessie Taliaferro had 33 percent, and fellow candidate Angel Menendez had 22 percent.

Koopman, 47, said he supports increasing impact fees on new developments, protecting nature parks and making sure he serves citizens and not development special interests.

For more information about the candidates, visit WRAL.com’s election page.