James Shaughnessy IV (North Carolina)

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James Shaughnessy IV

Nonpartisan

Elections and appointments

Last election

November 5, 2024

Personal

Birthplace

Raleigh, N.C.

Religion

Catholic

Profession

Hospitality management

Contact

Campaign website

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James Shaughnessy IV ran for election for Mayor of Raleigh in North Carolina. He lost in the general election on November 5, 2024.

Shaughnessy completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

James Shaughnessy IV was born in Raleigh, North Carolina. His career experience includes working in hospitality management. Shaughnessy also worked as a volunteer in Ukraine during the Russo-Ukrainian War.

Elections

2024

See also: Mayoral election in Raleigh, North Carolina (2024)

General election

General election for Mayor of Raleigh

Janet Cowell defeated Paul Fitts, Terrance Ruth, Eugene Myrick, and James Shaughnessy IV in the general election for Mayor of Raleigh on November 5, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Janet Cowell (Nonpartisan)	59.7	132,315
		Paul Fitts (Nonpartisan)	18.3	40,688
		Terrance Ruth (Nonpartisan)	11.4	25,355
		Eugene Myrick (Nonpartisan)	6.5	14,359
		James Shaughnessy IV (Nonpartisan)	3.6	8,038
		Other/Write-in votes	0.5	1,045

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 221,800
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Endorsements

Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Shaughnessy in this election.

Campaign themes

2024

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

James Shaughnessy IV completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Shaughnessy's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

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Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

My name is James Shaughnessy, and I’m proud to call Raleigh my lifelong home. I’m a hospitality professional by trade, a political science student by education, and a dedicated public servant at heart. I even volunteered in the Ukrainian War, where I learned the importance of serving others, no matter the circumstances. As a working-class Raleigh native, I have a deep understanding of the challenges our residents face daily and see the growing pains of my home. I believe in using my experience to push for unapologetic real change. Service has always been my driving force. Initially, I planned to serve my country through the military, but when life took me in a different direction, I channeled that same passion for service in my trip to Ukraine. Now, I’m running for office to ensure that Raleigh works for all its people—no matter their background or income.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

• Party politics has no place in addressing local issues, and as an independent candidate, I am committed to putting people over party agendas. My focus is on working across all divides to ensure Raleigh gets what it truly needs—solutions, not partisanship. I believe in collaborating with everyone, regardless of political affiliation, to move our city forward. Let’s Make It Happen for Raleigh.
• In order for not only Raleigh to move forward positively, but America. We need more young leaders in office. The younger generation needs to know their lives do not need to be dedicated by those much older than them and they can change their community. Let’s give the young people a voice. I’d be happy to fill that role.
• Raleigh faces big city challenges, yet operates within a small city government structure. This creates unique obstacles, but I’m not afraid to confront them. By voicing concerns about the "handcuffs" limiting our local government, we can push for the changes needed to serve the people of this great city better. It’s time for bold leadership that will break through these barriers and get things done for Raleigh.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Many people think local politics is boring, and in some ways, they’re right—but it’s also the most impactful and rewarding. Unlike abstract philosophical debates, local politics involves solving concrete issues that have real, immediate consequences for people's daily lives. I am passionate about tackling public policies that directly improve the quality of life for residents, such as housing, transit, and policing. Local government has to be nimble, responding to state and national economic pressures while working hard to maintain a strong job market and happy community. For me, local politics is where meaningful change comes to life, making it the most essential level of governance to engage with.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

The core responsibilities of someone elected to the office of mayor are Communication, Representation, and most importantly, Leadership.

Communication: The mayor must ensure that city executives, council members, and other officials are aligned and well-informed to perform their duties effectively. Clear communication is essential for the smooth operation of city government. Additionally, fostering transparent communication with constituents is vital—residents need to feel heard, and their concerns should be reflected in city policies. This helps bridge the gap between local government and the people it serves, making citizens feel involved in decision-making.
Representation: The mayor serves as the face and voice of the city, both locally and on a broader scale. It’s critical that the mayor represents the interests of all Raleigh residents, from working-class families to business owners, advocating for their needs and ensuring that city policies are inclusive and beneficial to the entire community. This includes being a strong advocate for Raleigh in state and national discussions, bringing resources and attention to the city.

Leadership: Leadership in this office means making difficult decisions that may not always be popular but are necessary for the long-term well-being of the city. The mayor must be able to weigh competing interests and make decisions that benefit the majority, even if it means facing criticism from certain groups. Strong leadership involves standing by those decisions, managing crises, and inspiring a vision for the city's future, while fostering collaboration among council members and other officials to bring that vision to life.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

My first official job was scooping ice cream at Baskin Robbins during high school. I took the job to help my mom out—money was tight, and every little bit helped. I actually loved that job. It was simple, easy, and of course, the ice cream was great. But after a few months, a friend of mine who worked at a catering company mentioned that it paid more, so I made the switch, and I've been with that catering company ever since.

Originally, I had planned to drop out of high school and join the Army to help my mom pay for my sisters’ college education, and because it was something I wanted to do. But when that didn’t work out, I stuck with the catering job. After high school, I found myself making good money, so I decided to continue in hospitality.

It’s been a blessing. I believe the hospitality industry is one of the best in the world. It brings together people from all different backgrounds, ages, and walks of life, and somehow, we all typically get along. Some of my closest friends from that job were people 20 years older than me. It’s a unique industry, full of strange dynamics, but it’s one I’m proud to be a part of. It’s taught me so much about hard work, adaptability, and the importance of teamwork.

What do you perceive to be your city's greatest challenges over the next decade?

Raleigh's greatest challenge over the next decade will be managing the rapid growth the city has experienced. This growth will create significant pressure on housing, infrastructure, and public transit systems. Balancing development with maintaining Raleigh's quality of life will require the city government to address these growing pains head-on. Ensuring affordable housing, improving infrastructure, and expanding public transit will be crucial in keeping Raleigh a great place to live while adapting to the demands of a larger population.

What do you believe is the ideal relationship between the mayor's office and law enforcement?

The ideal relationship between the mayor's office and law enforcement should be built on mutual respect, accountability, and partnership. The mayor must support law enforcement, but not blindly—acknowledging that, like any profession, mistakes can occur. When issues arise, the mayor should address them openly while collaborating with the department to create solutions that prevent future problems. Both the mayor and the police department should work together as partners, with the mayor fully understanding the risks, responsibilities, and challenges that officers face. Strong leadership and a healthy relationship between the mayor and the police are crucial for maintaining trust and safety in 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.

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