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Jennifer Talley
Elections and appointments
Personal
Contact
Jennifer Talley is running for election for Mayor of Graham in North Carolina. She is on the ballot in the general election on November 4, 2025.[source]
Talley completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. Click here to read the survey answers.
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Biography
Jennifer Talley provided the following biographical information via Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey on October 7, 2025:
- High school: Grace Christian Academy
- Bachelor's: Elon University, 1990
- Graduate: University of North Carolina Greensboro, 2000
- Gender: Female
- Religion: Christian
- Profession: Business Owner
- Prior offices held:
- City Council Member (2004-2010)
- Incumbent officeholder: Yes
- Campaign slogan: Standing up for You is What I Do
- Campaign Facebook
Elections
General election
The general election will occur on November 4, 2025.
Endorsements
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Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Jennifer Talley completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Talley'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 the mother of two children and a local small business owner. I have hosted 13 exchange students and enjoy traveling to visit them when I can. I grew up in Alamance County, graduated from Elon University, have a Masters in Business from UNC Bryan School of Business & Economics and have served on the city council for many years before being elected mayor in 2021. My husband and I have dedicated our professional careers to historic preservation and the rehabilitation of historic properties. I am a very hard worker and try to base my decisions as mayor on what I believe the majority of citizens in Graham want. I interact with the public on a daily basis and always appreciate the feedback I get and try to make sure that our citizens feel heard and appreciated for their contribution to Graham. Saying that, I believe that there are several key issues that set me apart from other candidates. The residents of Graham want a safe community, they want fiscal responsibility, and they want controlled and thoughtful growth that preserves the quality of life they have come to enjoy.
- Public Safety - I strongly support our local law enforcement and have worked hard to provide the resources that our police department has needed to make sure they are receiving adequate training and are CALEA accredited which certifies our police department according to national standards. Shortly after I was elected Mayor in 2021, we sought grant funding and received a $750,00O DOJ COPS grant which allowed us to hire 6 additional police patrol officers - the first new patrol positions since 1997. I am also very proud to accept the endorsement of the NC Police Benevolent Association. This organization does careful research and personally interviews all the candidates and only after doing so makes their endorsements.
- FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY - Graham residents expect responsible stewardship of their tax dollars, and I am proud to have delivered on that commitment. Under my leadership, we have secured more than $19 million in state funding—a historic investment in our city’s utilities and infrastructure. During emergencies such as Tropical Storm Chantal, Graham maintained uninterrupted access to clean water for all residents, while nearby communities faced mandatory restrictions and industrial shutdowns. I have built strong partnerships with our local legislators and with our congressional and Senate representatives, ensuring that Graham continues to receive vital funding and resources in our upcoming budget.
- GROWTH - Graham residents want controlled and responsible growth—and so do I. Under my leadership, the City has updated its inspection, utility, and development fee structures to ensure that new growth pays its fair share, protecting existing taxpayers from subsidizing new development. Our City Council remains firmly committed to managing development in a way that preserves Graham’s small-town charm while supporting smart progress. We were elected on a platform of thoughtful growth, and we’ve taken meaningful action to make that vision a reality. In addition, we are currently reviewing our Growth Management Plan, major development ordinance requirements, and our Downtown Master Plan to guide future development responsibly.
I am very passionate about our historic downtown and bringing events that make Graham a destination. Graham's historic downtown is the heart of Graham. Several years ago, an entire corner of Court Square was slated for demolition, and it was only through dedication, collaboration, and community pride that we were able to save those structures from being torn down. Today, they stand with thriving businesses as a reminder that progress and preservation can go hand in hand. Protecting our historic properties boosts tourism, supports local businesses, and ensures that future generations can experience the same charm and character that make Graham so special. A walkable vibrant historic downtown provides visitors a distinctive experience.
My pastor has been a major influence on me and my family. I look up to my pastor, who has been a major influence on me and my family, guiding us with wisdom, integrity, and a commitment to service. I also draw strength and inspiration from my family, friends, and church community. Their support and example remind me every day of the importance of leading with humility, serving others, and staying grounded in values that benefit both my family and the entire community.
The most important characteristics for an elected official are integrity, accountability, and a genuine commitment to serving the public. An effective leader must listen to all voices in the community, even when opinions differ, and make decisions based on facts, fairness, and what is best for the long-term good of the city. Transparency and honesty build trust, and fiscal responsibility ensures that taxpayer dollars are used wisely. Above all, elected officials should lead with humility—remembering that the office belongs to the people, not the individual who holds it.
Core responsibilities of any elected official are integrity, accountability and a genuine commitment to serving the public. You honestly have to have a heart for service. An effective leader must listen to all voices in the community, even those they don't agree with and make decisions based on facts, fairness and what they believe is in the long-term best interests of the city's residents. Transparency and honesty builds trust and fiscal responsibility ensures that taxpayer dollars are used wisely. Kathleen Sebulius once said, "The Essence of Good Government is Trust". Above all, elected officials should lead with humility always remembering that the office belongs to the people. I make it very clear to developers, staff, and influencers that I work for the people and that the city of Graham should always remember that we serve our citizens first and foremost.
That is a very important question. I hope my legacy will reflect a deep love for our community, its history, and the people who have served it. I want the historic properties we’ve worked so hard to rehabilitate and preserve to continue being enjoyed for generations to come. Our goal is to establish a historic properties trust that will ensure these treasured buildings remain protected and well maintained long into the future. We hope future generations will be able to enjoy them as much as we have.
My husband and I are also deeply committed to supporting veterans and first responders. We commissioned a local artist and various craftsmen to erect the 9/11 Veterans Memorial that is located in downtown Graham. The memorial is called "Together We Rise" and features an outline of the Twin Towers, life size first responders encircling an original beam from the World Trade Center. My husband also founded a nonprofit called ALCOVETS, through which they are developing Chesnut Ridge, a retreat for veterans. Through our efforts—and the dedication of countless volunteers, veterans, and local businesses—we hope to leave behind a lasting legacy of service, gratitude, and community that will continue to bless Alamance County for many years after we are gone.
The first historical event I remember was my father, who was a NASA scientist, coming to speak at my elementary school about his work on the Apollo XIII mission. I was about eight years old, and I was so proud that my dad was part of such an important historic operation. He explained how his work with mice helped understand the effects of oxygen on the human body and how plants are affected by gravity in space. NASA was a big deal at the time, and I remember how excited my friends and even our school staff were to hear him speak. That experience sparked my fascination with science and taught me the importance of hard work, curiosity, and dreaming big.
My first part-time job was as a bank teller while I was still in high school. I think I had it for 3 years. After college I was employed as a paralegal and then a corporate officer in the legal department of a Fortune 100 company. I was a certified by the NC State Bar as a Paralegal. I would consider this to be my first "real" job.
My favorite book would be the collective writings of Edgar Allan Poe. I have always been fascinated by his ability to tell a story with alliteration, his attention to detail, and his ability to explore the depths of the human experience. His works inspire me to appreciate creativity, thoughtfulness, and the power of words to leave a lasting impact.
One of my biggest struggles has been learning how to balance everything—family, work, public service, and community commitments. Most of the time I manage well, but when something major happens, it can be challenging to keep everything in balance. Over the years, I’ve learned to give myself grace, prioritize what truly matters, and rely on the support of my family, friends, and faith to stay grounded and keep moving forward.
Being mayor means leading by example and creating a place people feel welcome, want to visit and create a true sense of place. True leadership isn’t about titles or authority—it’s about service, integrity, and inspiring others to work together toward a shared vision. A good mayor not only makes decisions but also empowers others to lead, contribute, and take pride in their city. My goal has always been to bring people together, to listen, and to motivate others to join in the work of building a stronger, safer, and more vibrant Graham.
My top priority is to listen to the citizens and what their concerns are. As mayor along with our city council, we develop goals based off the concerns of residents that we want to see our city manager implement. We revisit those goals throughout the year and receive updates weekly on the manager's progress. Annually we re-evaluate these goals, measure progress and assess the performance of our city manager in reaching these goals with the support of the city council.
We have a manager - council form of government
What I love most about being mayor is the people of Graham. I take great joy in seeing families and visitors downtown creating special memories together—singing Christmas carols on the trolley, children hunting for Easter eggs, families walking their dogs, and residents of all ages dancing in the streets during our summer music series. Those moments of connection and happiness are what make Graham such a special place. It’s a community that truly feels like it's right out of a Hallmark movie.
Measured and Controlled Growth
Housing
Developing Infrastructure (utilities, roads, etc.) The ideal relationship between a city and the state government is collaborative and focused on serving residents. I am fortunate to have an excellent working relationship with our state legislators—Amy Galey, Dennis Riddell, and Stephen Ross—who have been instrumental in helping Graham secure critical funding for infrastructure and public safety improvements. Under my leadership, the City has received over $19 million from the state budget—an unprecedented amount in our city’s history. To put that in perspective, our General Fund Budget is $23 million. This state funding has increased our funding by 84% without raising taxes. We continue to work closely with our legislators to secure additional funding for the upcoming budget year and feel confident that we will continue to deliver on this joint funding.
The ideal relationship between a city and the federal government is also cooperative and results-oriented, focused on securing resources that directly benefit residents. As mayor, I have worked closely with our federal representatives and agencies to obtain funding for public safety, infrastructure, and community development projects. For example, under my leadership, Graham received a $750,000 Department of Justice COPS grant, which allowed us to hire six additional patrol officers—the first new patrol positions funded since 1997. In addition, we just secured millions in federal funding for the Tropical Storm Chantal damages (this funding is in addition to the FEMA funding). A strong partnership with the federal government ensures that Graham can address local priorities effectively while maximizing resources for our citizens and keeping taxes low.
I think this is an area I am exceptional proud of. The ideal relationship between the mayor’s office and law enforcement is built on mutual respect, support, and clear communication. As mayor, my role is to provide the resources, training, and policies our police department needs to keep our community safe while respecting their professional expertise. I work closely not only with our law enforcement leadership to understand their challenges and priorities, ensure accountability, and help set strategic goals that benefit the entire community but also with the county Sheriff so that we can support each other in times of need. Supporting our officers not only strengthens public safety but also builds trust between law enforcement and the citizens they serve. I think we have made great progress in our community policing efforts which was a strategic goal of this council.
NC Police Benevolent Association
Alamance County Sheriff Terry Johnson
Amy Galey NC Senator
Dennis Riddell, NC House Representative One story that has stayed with me is from our downtown Christmas trolley, which takes residents on a tour of the holiday light displays while singing carols. We initially started the trolley for children, but it quickly grew to include teens, young adults, and seniors. We originally scheduled just three rides the first year, but ended up doing 86 trips because I didn’t want to disappoint anyone.
One evening, a senior gentleman approached me and asked if it would be alright for him to sit down, as he could not stand in the long line. I said, "of course" and immediately got him a chair. He then shared that he had terminal cancer and knew this would be his last Christmas with his wife. He told me how much he appreciated us organizing the event and how much it meant to him to make his last Christmas special for his wife. They sang Christmas carols, had hot chocolate and took pictures with Santa that night. I was deeply touched, and it made me realize in a very personal way how important creating memories is not just for children but also for adults, and seniors alike.
I am very proud of the funding we have been able to secure for our citizens. This has kept taxes low while also allowing us to proceed with very needed infrastructure improvements.
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External links