James Bledsoe
James Bledsoe ran for election for an at-large seat of the Raleigh City Council in North Carolina. He lost in the general election on November 5, 2024.
Bledsoe completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. Click here to read the survey answers.
Biography
James Bledsoe was born in Bowling Green, Kentucky. He served in the United States Army beginning in 2005. He earned a bachelor's degree from Strayer University in 2012. Bledsoe's career experience includes working as a correctional officer and IT technician for the North Carolina Department of Public Safety. Bledsoe has been affiliated with the Veterans Party of North Carolina, the NC VFW, and American Legion.[1][2]
Elections
2024
See also: City elections in Raleigh, North Carolina (2024)
General election
General election for Raleigh City Council At-large (2 seats)
The following candidates ran in the general election for Raleigh City Council At-large on November 5, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Stormie Forte (Nonpartisan) | 28.7 | 99,779 |
| ✔ |  | Jonathan Melton (Nonpartisan)  | 24.3 | 84,441 |
 | James Bledsoe (Nonpartisan) | 14.1 | 48,990 | |
 | Reeves Peeler (Nonpartisan) | 9.9 | 34,214 | |
| Katherine Pate (Nonpartisan) | 9.3 | 32,423 | ||
 | Joshua Bradley (Nonpartisan) | 7.7 | 26,727 | |
| Robert Steele Jr. (Nonpartisan) | 5.2 | 18,230 | ||
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.7 | 2,541 | ||
| Total votes: 347,345 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Endorsements
Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Bledsoe in this election.
2022
See also: City elections in Raleigh, North Carolina (2022)
General election
General election for Raleigh City Council At-large (2 seats)
The following candidates ran in the general election for Raleigh City Council At-large on November 8, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Stormie Forte (Nonpartisan) | 23.2 | 61,026 |
| ✔ | | Jonathan Melton (Nonpartisan) | 19.2 | 50,539 |
 | Anne Franklin (Nonpartisan) | 14.8 | 38,975 | |
 | John Odom (Nonpartisan) | 14.0 | 36,700 | |
| James Bledsoe (Nonpartisan) | 11.9 | 31,257 | |
 | Portia Wilson Rochelle (Nonpartisan) | 9.6 | 25,256 | |
| Joshua Bradley (Nonpartisan) | 6.9 | 18,143 | |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.4 | 1,069 | ||
| Total votes: 262,965 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
2019
See also: City elections in Raleigh, North Carolina (2019)
General election
General election for Raleigh City Council At-large (2 seats)
The following candidates ran in the general election for Raleigh City Council At-large on October 8, 2019.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Nicole Stewart (Nonpartisan) | 33.7 | 30,960 |
| ✔ | | Jonathan Melton (Nonpartisan) | 23.1 | 21,183 |
 | Russ Stephenson (Nonpartisan) | 19.4 | 17,805 | |
| Portia Wilson Rochelle (Nonpartisan) | 12.5 | 11,449 | |
 | Carlie Allison Spencer (Nonpartisan) | 6.0 | 5,502 | |
| James Bledsoe (Nonpartisan) | 4.9 | 4,484 | |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.4 | 382 | ||
| Total votes: 91,765 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
2017
The city of Raleigh, North Carolina, held municipal elections for mayor and city council on October 10, 2017. A runoff took place on November 7, 2017, in those races where no candidate received a majority of the vote. The filing deadline for candidates who wished to run in this election was July 21, 2017. All seven council seats were up for election.
Incumbent Corey Demont Branch defeated Crash Gregg, Olen Watson, James Bledsoe, and Jeff Stewart in the Raleigh City Council District C municipal election.[3]
| Raleigh City Council, District C Municipal Election, 2017 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes |
 Corey Demont Branch Incumbent |
87.05% | 8,708 |
| Crash Gregg | 3.69% | 369 |
| Olen Watson | 3.59% | 359 |
| James Bledsoe | 3.24% | 324 |
| Jeff Stewart | 2.13% | 213 |
| Write-in votes | 0.31% | 31 |
| Total Votes | 10,004 | |
| Source: North Carolina State Board of Elections, "10/10/2017 Unofficial Municipal Election Results - Wake," accessed October 10, 2017 | ||
Campaign themes
2024
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
James Bledsoe completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Bledsoe's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
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- The heroes who keep us safe deserve to call Raleigh home. I'm committed to improving the lives of our first responders by ensuring they receive competitive pay and benefits. Let's work together to ensure our city is a safe, supportive place for those who protect and serve us every day.
- Raleigh's growth should reflect in our city's financial health, without overburdening its citizens. I propose a balanced approach to our budget, focusing on efficiency and careful planning. By prioritizing our spending and embracing accountability, we can ensure a thriving, sustainable Raleigh for generations to come.
- It's time for us to rethink how we approach housing in Raleigh. I envision a city where everyone, regardless of income, has a chance at home ownership. By thoughtfully adjusting our housing codes and inviting more diverse development, we can make this vision a reality. Together, let's build a Raleigh that welcomes more families into their first homes.
Along with our overpaid CM, the DEI department needs to go. It, along with the DEI movement across the nation, has not produced any significant achievements. Instead, DEI has made net negative results while employee receive glamorous paychecks.
Vision and Forward-Thinking: Raleigh’s growth trajectory demands leaders who can envision the city’s future and proactively address its evolving needs. A forward-thinking mindset ensures that policies align with long-term goals, fostering sustainable development and prosperity.
Balancing Growth and Quality of Life: As a rapidly growing city, Raleigh faces the delicate task of accommodating new residents and businesses while preserving its unique character. Elected officials must strike a balance, ensuring that growth enhances residents’ quality of life, rather than compromising it.
Advocacy for Housing Reform: The housing market poses challenges, particularly in terms of affordability. Officials who champion housing reform—promoting affordable options and smart development—play a crucial role in addressing this pressing issue.
Ethical Leadership: Upholding integrity, transparency, and accountability is non-negotiable. Elected officials must lead by example, adhering to ethical standards and fostering public trust.
Community Engagement: Effective governance involves active listening and meaningful engagement with constituents. By involving residents in decision-making processes, officials can better understand local needs and aspirations.
Enacting Laws and Ordinances: Council members actively participate in shaping local laws. Whether it’s zoning regulations, environmental protections, or public safety measures, their decisions directly impact residents’ lives.
Budget Adoption and Resource Allocation: Approving the annual city budget is a pivotal responsibility. Allocating resources to essential services—such as education, public safety, and infrastructure—requires careful consideration.
Light blue.
Government Accountability: Elected officials are stewards of the public trust. They must be answerable for their actions, decisions, and policies. Accountability transcends party lines; it is a fundamental duty. Our constitutional framework provides checks and balances, ensuring that no branch of government operates unchecked. Oversight committees, investigative journalism, and engaged citizens contribute to this delicate balance. Corruption erodes the very fabric of our democracy; we must have zero tolerance for unethical behavior. Swift action against corrupt officials sends a powerful message that our system prioritizes integrity. In summary, financial transparency fuels accountability, and both are essential for a healthy republic.
Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.
2022
James Bledsoe completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2022. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Bledsoe's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
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- Less spending and taxes.
- First responders first.
- Donating half my council pay to Raleigh seniors going into STEM or the trades.
This budget cut comes right as our economy goes into a recession, so we must take action now to alleviate the cost of living for Raleigh residents. This council has spent $1 million for TVs in the convention center, a D.E.I. office, a resident artist, etc... That's frivolous spending and it must go.
I also plan to deregulate housing and business zoning in Raleigh to let the free market and land owners build what they need to on their land so they can bring much needed housing, jobs, and revenue into the city.
Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.
2019
James Bledsoe did not complete Ballotpedia's 2019 Candidate Connection survey.
Campaign website
Bledsoe's campaign website stated the following:
| “ |
Raleigh's citizens have said they want scooter rentals, that we want revenue generating kiosks, that we want mobile retail, that we want food trucks, & that we want the vibrance, innovation, creativity, and fun of a thriving city... not a new regulation or ban at every meeting.
When you have a fire, you call the Fire Department. When you have an emergency, you call the Police. These people are here for you, but who is here for them? Not our council.
Here is my stance on why we need STRs and ADUs. Lets present Raleigh as a welcoming place that shows a hospitable people that care about our visitors and helps add revenue to home owners and the city.
How do we tackle the housing affordability? ADUs, micro homes, tiny apartments, modular housing, etc. Build up, not out and allow for new types of housing to exist. Challenge demand with MORE supply!
Bike riders are everywhere in Raleigh and the numbers of those who wish to reduce their use of cars is growing. Painted white lines aren't enough for our two wheeled friends. They need a bit of protection and a larger connected network.
I will not support any new tax raises, with exception to infrastructure emergencies. Anything we cannot budget, will not be paid or endorsed. We are taxing everyone, college students to senior citizens, out of Raleigh. My first apartment in Raleigh was an 800 sq ft for $840, now it costs over $1,200. Taxes must go down while revenue goes up. How do we increase revenue? Remove barriers that hold citizens and small businesses back from earning income and thriving. I will do this buy fully supporting STRs(AirBnB) with moderate regulation, removal of many food truck/mobile retail regulations, allowing and supporting multi family homes as well as additional dwelling units (ADUs), & many other options.
As the only candidate running for council who is a Combat Veteran and has ties to the military, I understand the plight of the Veteran community. Many have gone on to lead successful lives, while others struggle with PTSD or have succumbed to the high rate of suicide of 22 a day. Templates exist from other municipalities on how to help our Veterans, I want that help in Raleigh too. [4] |
” |
| —James Bledsoe’s campaign website (2019)[5] | ||
See also
2024 Elections
External links
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Candidate Raleigh City Council At-large |
Personal |
Footnotes
- ↑ Elect James Bledsoe, "About," accessed August 24, 2019
- ↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on April 9, 2024
- ↑ North Carolina State Board of Elections, "10/10/2017 Unofficial Municipal Election Results - Wake," accessed October 10, 2017
- ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ James Bledsoe’s campaign website, “On the Issues,” accessed August 25, 2019
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