Quick Read
- Three candidates are running for Wilmington mayor in 2025.
- Affordable housing and public safety are top issues for all candidates.
- Early voting starts October 16; Election Day is November 4.
- Incumbent Bill Saffo highlights $20 million in affordable housing investments.
- Candidates oppose tolling the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge.
Who’s on the Ballot? A Closer Look at Wilmington’s Mayoral Race
The city of Wilmington gears up for its 2025 municipal elections with a sense of urgency and anticipation. This year, three candidates stand in the spotlight for the mayoral seat, while seven contenders vie for three open positions on the city council. The stakes? Not just leadership, but the future direction of a city navigating rapid growth, a changing economy, and infrastructure challenges. Early voting begins October 16, with the official election day set for November 4. Source: WilmingtonBiz
Key Issues: Affordable Housing, Public Safety, and Infrastructure
Affordable housing dominates the conversation. Incumbent mayor Bill Saffo, who has helmed Wilmington since 2007, touts the city’s $20 million investment over five years in affordable housing initiatives. Saffo points to programs aiding seniors and first-time homebuyers, and highlights the city’s $11 million commitment in this year’s budget. His vision: “Affordable housing is critical to our great city.”
Jonathan Barfield Jr., a seasoned Democrat and broker, brings a regional approach. He’s served on the New Hanover County Commission for 16 years, advocating for direct investment and partnerships to tackle housing costs. Barfield recalls his role in opening Estrella Landing apartments, where low-income tax credits made rents as low as $335 possible for seniors. “More direct investment like that,” he says, “is needed to lessen the housing burden many feel.”
On the other end, Republican Billy Craig, a retired Wilmington Police officer and current law enforcement instructor, wants to incentivize developers and create options for families and singles alike. He sees potential in linking employment opportunities with housing access, aiming for creative solutions to affordability.
Public safety is another flashpoint. Craig sounds the alarm on police staffing: “I want our police department to return to minimum staffing – it is dangerously below minimum now.” He also emphasizes transparency, employee well-being, and rigorous budget oversight to curb waste and abuse. Saffo echoes the need for top-notch public safety and a competitive workforce, while Barfield stresses neighborhood policing and relationship-building with law enforcement.
Growth, Green Spaces, and the Infrastructure Challenge
Wilmington’s growth rate, though steady at 1.2% annually within city limits, is eclipsed by the explosive expansion of the wider region. This puts pressure on roads, utilities, and green spaces. Saffo and Barfield both advocate for regional cooperation with neighboring counties to manage development and infrastructure strain. Saffo notes, “We must invest to ensure our quality of life and economic resilience amidst this region’s growth.”
Environmental stewardship is a particular concern for Craig, who warns of vanishing tree canopies and the ecological impacts of high-density development. “As the tree lines disappear, this is creating an environmental impact,” he says, pointing to the city’s need to balance growth with habitat preservation.
Cape Fear Memorial Bridge: A Test of Advocacy and Policy
The aging Cape Fear Memorial Bridge is a focal point of debate. Saffo and Barfield are united in their opposition to tolling the bridge, calling it an undue burden on working families and seniors. Both stress that the state bears responsibility for its upkeep and replacement, given decades of tax contributions from Wilmington’s residents. Craig, meanwhile, favors leveraging federal and state grants, with a focus on keeping costs low for taxpayers and avoiding a “monolithic monstrosity.” All three agree: regional collaboration and persistent advocacy are essential.
Economic Prospects: Film, Small Business, and Job Creation
Each candidate identifies economic growth as pivotal. Barfield reminisces about Wilmington’s heyday as a film hub and hopes to see a resurgence, citing the sector’s “dramatic multiplier effect.” Craig also supports incentives for locally owned businesses and a revitalized film industry, aiming to boost the city’s economic base while preserving its landscape. Saffo, meanwhile, champions economic diversification, entrepreneurship, and investments in education and workforce development, emphasizing the city’s progress in attracting major employers and raising median wages.
What Sets the Candidates Apart?
Experience and perspective are the candidates’ main differentiators. Saffo highlights his two decades of service and his role in transforming Wilmington’s downtown into a vibrant economic center. “Fighting for its prosperity is my passion and my life’s work,” he says. Barfield brings a regional lens, with connections at the county and state levels, and a track record in housing and human services. Craig offers insights from inside city employment, pledging transparency and protection for workers.
Voter Logistics: How, When, and Where to Cast Your Ballot
Voters in New Hanover County have multiple opportunities to participate:
- Voter registration deadline: Friday, October 10
- Early voting: October 16 – November 1
- Absentee ballot request deadline: Tuesday, October 21
- Election Day: Tuesday, November 4
- Canvass of results: Friday, November 14
Polling places include Northeast Library, Carolina Beach Town Hall, Cape Fear Community College, and the New Hanover County Senior Resource Center, with varied hours for accessibility.
The Broader Picture: Election Trends Across the Region
While Wilmington’s municipal race unfolds, regional election trends indicate heightened engagement on issues like housing, infrastructure, and economic growth. In neighboring states, such as Virginia, polling data tracked by The New York Times shows Democratic candidates with a consistent lead, suggesting broader patterns in voter priorities and party strength ahead of the 2026 midterms.
Looking Ahead: A City at a Crossroads
The 2025 Wilmington municipal election is more than a contest of personalities. It’s a referendum on how the city will navigate growth, equity, and sustainability. With each candidate presenting distinct priorities – from affordable housing to public safety and green space preservation – voters face a choice that will shape Wilmington’s trajectory for years to come.
Assessment: Wilmington’s 2025 municipal race reveals a community grappling with the consequences of rapid regional growth, strained infrastructure, and persistent affordability concerns. The candidates’ responses reflect not only their political philosophies but the lived realities of residents. Ultimately, the outcome will hinge on which vision best resonates with voters seeking security, opportunity, and a sense of belonging in a changing city.