Mayor Baldwin resigns from controversial job at Barnhill Contracting

Mayor of Raleigh Mary-Ann Baldwin has resigned from her position at Barnhill Contracting, she confirmed to WRAL News in a text message.

Posted 8:17 p.m. Oct 4, 2021 — Updated 8:38 p.m. Oct 4, 2021

RALEIGH, N.C. — Mayor of Raleigh Mary-Ann Baldwin has resigned from her position at Barnhill Contracting, she confirmed to WRAL News in a text message.

Baldwin was the director of business development at Barnhill Contracting, a major Triangle construction company. Although some critics say the position is a conflict of interest because Barnhill does business with the city, Baldwin has claimed that's not the case.

"During COVID, many people have been assessing their careers," the Mayor wrote on her LinkedIn page. "I'm no different. Last month, i resigned my business development position at Barnhill and am looking to return to my roots in marketing or in the non-profit sector."

Potential conflicts arise when part-time public leaders have private-sector jobs. Days before Baldwin says she was approached to work for Barnhill, the company won a $6.3 million contract to resurface Raleigh roads by a unanimous vote of the City Council.

Barnhill won a a more lucrative resurfacing contract in 2018, when Baldwin wasn't in office. The company also lost out last on two other Raleigh-based projects: road resurfacing and the widening of Tryon Road.

Baldwin said she would be "open and transparent" and recuse herself from any votes regarding Barnhill. She added that, while the City Council gives final approval on contracts, members don't get involved in the bidding process.

"While I really enjoyed my tenure at Barnhill (and all the wonderful people I met), I am excited to find the next opportunity to make a positive difference," Baldwin said on LinkedIn.

She resigned in September, and her resignation went into effect on Sept. 30, she told WRAL News.

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