Shaun McMillan (Fayetteville City Council District 8, North Carolina, candidate 2025)
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Shaun McMillan is running for election to the Fayetteville City Council to represent District 8 in North Carolina. He is on the ballot in the general election on November 4, 2025.[source] He was on the ballot in the primary on October 7, 2025.[source]
McMillan completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. Click here to read the survey answers.
[1]Biography
Shaun McMillan provided the following biographical information via Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey on August 28, 2025:
- Birth date: June 24, 1976
- Birth place: Fayetteville, North Carolina
- High school: Fitch HS
- Bachelor's: Elizabeth City State University, 1998
- Military service: United States Army, 1999-2016
- Gender: Male
- Religion: Unitarian Universalist
- Profession: Educator
- Incumbent officeholder: No
- Campaign slogan: Our Community. Our Future. All of Us or None
- Campaign website
- Campaign Facebook
- Campaign Instagram
Elections
General election
General election for Fayetteville City Council District 8
Rodney E. Garvin and Shaun McMillan are running in the general election for Fayetteville City Council District 8 on November 4, 2025.
Candidate | ||
| Rodney E. Garvin (Nonpartisan) | ||
 | Shaun McMillan (Nonpartisan)  | |
| ||||
| = 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. | ||||
Nonpartisan primary election
Nonpartisan primary for Fayetteville City Council District 8
Rodney E. Garvin, Mahmoud A. Hamed, Shaun McMillan, and Robbie Poole ran in the primary for Fayetteville City Council District 8 on October 7, 2025.
Candidate | ||
| Rodney E. Garvin (Nonpartisan) | ||
| Mahmoud A. Hamed (Nonpartisan) | ||
| Shaun McMillan (Nonpartisan) | |
| Robbie Poole (Nonpartisan) | ||
| ||||
| = 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. | ||||
Election results
Endorsements
Ballotpedia is gathering information about candidate endorsements. To send us an endorsement, click here.
Campaign themes
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Shaun McMillan completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by McMillan'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 a lifelong resident of Fayetteville, deeply rooted in the community I now seek to represent. My extensive background as a retired US Army Officer, a secondary education teacher, and a passionate community organizer has uniquely prepared me to serve the citizens of District 8.
My commitment to public service extends far beyond my military career. I am currently one of many local organizers fighting to enact critical initiatives aimed at enhancing community safety in Fayetteville, NC. My efforts have contributed to the establishment of an Office of Community Safety (OCS), a crucial step towards implementing comprehensive and proactive safety strategies. Furthermore, I champion the importance of independent oversight, advocating for transparency and accountability within local institutions to ensure the well-being of all residents. My vision for Fayetteville is one where every citizen feels secure, heard, and actively involved in shaping the future of their community.
- A Safe Community: We Keep Us Safe. True safety encompasses opportunity, equity, and collective responsibility, not just the absence of crime. My core safety strategy addresses the root causes of crime. To combat generational poverty, I will champion initiatives focusing on youth mentorship and connecting residents with living wage jobs. We will explore models to expand affordable housing and establish a land trust. We will expand accessible streets for all users, including sidewalks, bike lanes, safe crosswalks and public transit. I am fully committed to providing strong leadership in protection of our democracy. True community safety is rooted in economic mobility, stable housing, thoughtful urban planning, and strong democratic values.
- A Transparent & Accountable City Council. It's time for systemic reforms empowering residents through participatory budgeting and governance. Your tax dollars and priorities should be decided by and with you, not just for you. Participatory budgeting processes are crucial. These initiatives will foster a council that truly reflects the community's will, ensuring fiscal responsibility and open decision-making. We will also push to establish common-sense accountability measures, including Independent Oversight and the implementation of a Sentinel Event Review (S.E.R.) for Fayetteville, NC. This process allows for a thorough examination of significant incidents, ensuring lessons are learned and systemic improvements are made.
- An Empowered District 8: Strong community bonds are our greatest strength. We are committed to actively supporting District 8 residents across all facets of community life. This includes dedicated assistance for our schools, fostering growth in small businesses, enhancing recreation centers, bolstering neighborhood organizations, and nurturing youth mentorship groups. We will invest in cultivating vibrant “Third Spaces” that are uplifted by the community and anchored by a network of strong relationships. Our vision is to cultivate a thriving, interconnected community where every resident feels supported and empowered. Join us in building a stronger, more vibrant District 8 together.
The tragic police homicides of Nizja Hagans, Jada Johnson, Joshua Oxendine, Jason Walker and so many others are a stark reminder of why this work is so critical. We can, and must, do better. I am passionate about creating systems of accountability and transparency that will become public policy. For nearly a decade, my personal involvement has been focused on establishing independent oversight and the Sentinel Event Review (S.E.R) process. The goal is to identify systemic failures and implement changes to prevent similar tragedies from happening again. It's about proactive solutions, not just reactive consequences. It's about saving lives... turning our grief into action and demanding the changes that will protect our neighbors.
Council members are crucial for bridging the gap between institutions and residents. We serve as a direct point of contact for constituents, allowing residents to access services and voice concerns. By providing an accessible presence, we build trust and facilitate civic engagement, making government more responsive to the needs of its citizens.
I look up to so many people. From parents working hard to keep the lights on and keep their families fed to visionaries who dare to fight for a future we deserve. I would like to follow the example of one such visionary that I had the honor of meeting in 2023- Dr. Angela Davis. I look up to her, not only for taking a stand in the 1960s for black liberation and truth but especially for the more than five days of organizing and educating that she put in over her lifetime. She is still, to this day, speaking truth to power in ways that continue to inspire me. Her lifelong commitment to community is one that I hope to follow.
Moral Courage, Empathy and Humility
A city council member's core responsibilities are centered on building trust and acting as a representative for all residents. Our role extends beyond legislative duties, requiring a deep commitment to the community. We are tasked with passing ordinances and approving the city budget, making crucial decisions that directly impact local services and quality of life.
This means actively listening to the concerns of diverse groups—from small businesses to neighborhood organizations—and ensuring that every voice is heard. We must build a foundation of trust that allows us to effectively serve the district.
This means actively listening to the concerns of diverse groups—from small businesses to neighborhood organizations—and ensuring that every voice is heard. We must build a foundation of trust that allows us to effectively serve the district.
That of someone who loved deeply and did what he could to lift up others.
I very vaguely remember the assassination attempt on President Reagan. I would have been four- almost five at the time.
My first job was as a cashier at KFC many many many years ago:) I had it for a year.
Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates .. I love this book because I can relate in so many ways. Coates pens this as a love letter to his young son. I can relate as as a black man who came of age in the 90's and especially as a father who wants much better for his children's future.
Colossus from X-Men
I've struggled to slow down enough to heal and repair from past trauma and broken trust.
Little-known powers of municipal governments are participatory budgeting (a democratic process where residents directly decide how to spend a portion of a public budget) and equitable zoning (an approach that allows for a diversity of housing types and mixed-use developments).
With intention and proper planning, cities have the power to give residents a say in how their resources are allocated and to create affordable, and vibrant neighborhoods for all residents.
With intention and proper planning, cities have the power to give residents a say in how their resources are allocated and to create affordable, and vibrant neighborhoods for all residents.
Yes. I do believe so.
My background as a U.S. Army veteran and a public school teacher has given me a unique set of skills that I'll bring to the city council. My time in the military taught me the importance of problem-solving, accountability, and leadership. I also learned valuable lessons about to what it means to take care of each other and build the type of relationships that center resilience and solidarity . This same approach has guided my community activism, where I've consistently spoken at city council meetings on issues like transparency and harmful policies. This work led to my advocacy for creating the city's Office of Community Safety (OCS). I am proud to be a part of an extensive beloved community that is turning policy ideas into real, tangible results for the community.
As a public school teacher in Fayetteville, I've had the privilege of gaining a deep understanding of the needs of our children and their families. This experience gives me valuable insight into the challenges facing our public schools and highlights the importance of investing in education and youth mentorship.
As a public school teacher in Fayetteville, I've had the privilege of gaining a deep understanding of the needs of our children and their families. This experience gives me valuable insight into the challenges facing our public schools and highlights the importance of investing in education and youth mentorship.
This office is special because it's the closest form of government to the public, meaning I have a direct responsibility to put people over property and to value my neighbors over powerful institutions. My job isn't to serve the interests of developers or corporations; it's to be a fierce advocate for the residents who live here. This means fighting for affordable housing, safe streets, and well-funded schools—priorities that directly impact the well-being of our neighbors.
I am hearing a lot from voters. Particularly touching was a moment I definitely felt in my soul- I was talking to someone about accountability and transparency and I mentioned Jason Walker- who was shot and killed here in Fayetteville (January of 2022) by an off-duty Sheriff's deputy named Jeffrey Hash. Hash was never arrested or charged. I was speaking about the incident as an example of why we need independent oversight. Suddenly, I saw in the eyes and felt a powerful shift in the woman I was talking to. She explained that she went to school with Jason and knew him even through adulthood. I was touched. That moment and so many others over the years, underscore the value of human life and the need for those of us who still have breath to continue to fight for systems of accountability and justice. Jason's life still matters to his family, his friends, his son ... Our current publicly policy doesn't reflect a commitment to residents who are deserving of protection and truth. Moments like this highlight how important this work is.
Not my own... but I feel an immense sense of pride for accomplishment of my son who is law-school bound after recently taking the LSAT and doing exceptionally well!
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See also
2025 Elections
External links
Footnotes
