Jasmine Zavala (Wake Forest Town Council, North Carolina, candidate 2025)
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Jasmine Zavala is running for election to the Wake Forest Town Council in North Carolina. She is on the ballot in the general election on November 4, 2025.[source]
Zavala completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. Click here to read the survey answers.
[1]Biography
Jasmine Zavala provided the following biographical information via Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey on September 29, 2025:
- Birth date: February 20, 1995
- Birth place: Houston, Texas
- Bachelor's: Meredith College, 2017
- Graduate: University of North Carolina Wilmington
- Gender: Female
- Religion: Catholic
- Profession: Business Manager
- Incumbent officeholder: No
- Campaign slogan: An independent spirit guided by a passion for public service. Let’s take care of Wake Forest with equity, data & heart.
- Campaign website
- Campaign Facebook
- Campaign Instagram
Elections
General election
The general election will occur on November 4, 2025.
General election for Wake Forest Town Council (2 seats)
The following candidates are running in the general election for Wake Forest Town Council on November 4, 2025.
Candidate | ||
Thomas Dement (Nonpartisan) ![]() | ||
![]() | Haseeb Fatmi (Nonpartisan) ![]() | |
![]() | Pam James (Nonpartisan) | |
R. Keith Shackleford (Nonpartisan) | ||
Nick Sliwinski (Nonpartisan) | ||
Jasmine Zavala (Nonpartisan) ![]() |
![]() | ||||
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Campaign themes
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Jasmine Zavala completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Zavala's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
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|I am also a wife, pet mom, and first-generation college graduate with a bachelor's in business administration and economics, and a master's in public administration.
My journey has taken me from teaching at-risk youth to working with nonprofits to serving at the federal level on policies centered around equity. These experiences taught me the value of listening, collaboration, and data-driven decision-making. They also shaped my belief that strong communities are built on opportunity, representation, and heart.
Wake Forest is growing rapidly, and with that growth comes both challenges and opportunities. I am running for Town Commissioner because I believe every neighbor deserves a voice. My goal is to bridge education, small business, and public service to make sure our town grows smartly, inclusively, and in a way that reflects the community we love.- 1. Supporting Local Small Businesses & Community Strength As the daughter of a small business owner and someone who has managed my family’s restaurant for years, I understand the challenges and importance of local businesses. Small businesses are the backbone of Wake Forest’s economy and culture. I will champion policies and partnerships that uplift entrepreneurs, celebrate our diverse community, and ensure opportunities for all families to thrive.
- 2. Smart Growth, Data-Driven Decisions Wake Forest is projected to more than double in population in the coming years. We must make thoughtful choices about housing, infrastructure, and development to ensure balance and sustainability. My vision is a town where neighbors can truly live, work, and play—with accessible housing, thriving businesses, and community spaces that reflect who we are. I believe in using data, research, and community input to guide decisions that serve the greatest number of neighbors while keeping Wake Forest’s heart and character intact.
- 3. A Voice for All Neighbors Wake Forest is growing, and with that growth comes the need for leadership that ensures every neighbor feels seen and heard. As the daughter of immigrants, a first-generation college graduate, and a small business manager, I know what it means to work hard and advocate for representation. I am committed to giving a stronger voice to families, workers, and communities who have too often been left out of the conversation.
Smart Growth & Infrastructure: Data-driven choices on housing, transportation, and development so Wake Forest stays a place to live, work, and play.
Representation & Equity: Ensuring every neighbor, especially underrepresented voices, has access and representation.
Small Businesses & Economy: Uplifting entrepreneurs and creating opportunities that strengthen our town.
Community & Safety: Building trust between residents, law enforcement, and organizations.
This office is especially important in Wake Forest because we are one of the fastest-growing towns in the nation, with a rapid move-in ratio that brings both opportunities and challenges. Commissioners must guide how the town grows, ensuring that infrastructure, housing, and services keep pace. The role requires being proactive, not reactive, so that growth strengthens rather than overwhelms our community.
Their example taught me hard work, perseverance, and humility. But even more, I admire their commitment to giving back—supporting schools, youth sports, local groups, and nonprofits that keep our town strong. They’ve shown me that true success isn’t measured only in business, but in how you uplift others.
An elected official should also practice humility and openness, recognizing when others have greater expertise and being willing to listen and learn. Above all, they must serve with transparency, fairness, and a genuine commitment to building trust and unity within the community.
It is about taking care of the town with decisions that serve the greater good, not personal or political agendas. Commissioners guide policies on housing, infrastructure, transportation, public safety, and economic development to ensure growth that is smart, sustainable, and inclusive.
They must also support small businesses and strengthen the local economy, creating opportunities for entrepreneurs and families to thrive. Just as important is ensuring representation and equity, so that underrepresented voices have a seat at the table.
I hope people will say I helped Wake Forest grow in a way that was smart, fair, and caring—supporting small businesses, building community partnerships, and keeping our town a place where families can live, work, and play while still holding onto its character and charm.
I worked there all through high school and college, and over time, my role expanded. I went from small tasks to managing staff, overseeing operations, and leading marketing efforts. The restaurant not only supported me through school, but also taught me lifelong values of hard work, perseverance, and service to the community.
I connected strongly with Harry’s journey of loss, belonging, and resilience. Like him, I know what it feels like to struggle with fitting in, to search for where you belong, and to lean on the strength of friendship and community. His story reminded me that even in the face of challenges, courage and compassion can change lives.
Lilo reminds us of the importance of ohana—family—and community, and that love and acceptance can bring people together in powerful ways. Her story is about resilience, belonging, and seeing beauty in imperfection, which are values I try to live by every day.
At the same time, working in my family’s restaurant while balancing school taught me perseverance, empathy, and the value of hard work. Those experiences showed me firsthand the challenges that many families face and the sacrifices they make to create better opportunities.
Another area often overlooked is the Board’s role in budgeting and resource allocation. Commissioners decide how town funds are spent—on things like parks and recreation, road improvements, public safety, and community programs. These decisions have a direct and immediate impact on families, neighbors, and local businesses.
That said, my own background has given me a valuable perspective. I have worked in government at the federal, state, and local levels, and I’ve advocated for equity-centered policies while also collaborating with nonprofits to fill gaps where government could not always meet community needs. I’ve also worked behind the scenes to support leaders and programs, gaining firsthand experience in how policy is shaped and implemented.
As a former teacher, I bring the ability to educate, explain, and break down complex issues so neighbors can understand how decisions affect them. Strong communication and relationship-building skills are vital to ensure residents feel heard, respected, and included in shaping solutions.
I also recognize that I may not know everything—and that’s okay. Wake Forest has incredible specialists, town staff, and a community of smart, driven individuals. I am excited to work alongside them, learn from their expertise, and bring people together to make thoughtful, informed decisions.
This office is especially important in Wake Forest because we are one of the fastest-growing towns in the nation. The Board guides how the town grows, ensuring that infrastructure, services, and resources keep pace. Commissioners must be proactive rather than reactive so growth strengthens our community without losing the character that makes Wake Forest special.
Education gave me the chance to not only build a better future for myself, but also to become an advocate for others. I went on to become a teacher, and some of my proudest moments have been seeing myself in my students—especially those who were at risk or struggling—and helping them discover their own potential.
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See also
2025 Elections
External links
Footnotes