Terrance Ruth
Terrance Ruth ran for election for Mayor of Raleigh in North Carolina. He lost in the general election on November 5, 2024.
Ruth completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. Click here to read the survey answers.
Biography
Terrance Ruth was born in San Antonio, Texas. He earned a high school diploma from Deltona High School. He earned a bachelor's degree from Oglethorpe University in 2005, a graduate degree from Nova Southeastern University in 2008, and a Ph.D. from the University of Central Florida in 2014. His career experience includes working as an assistant professor at North Carolina State University, principal, and teacher.[1][2]
Ruth has been affiliated with the following organizations:[1]
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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 | ||
| Total votes: 221,800 | ||||
= 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
Ruth received the following endorsements.
2022
See also: Mayoral election in Raleigh, North Carolina (2022)
General election
General election for Mayor of Raleigh
Incumbent Mary-Ann Baldwin defeated Terrance Ruth, DaQuanta Copeland, and Paul Fitts in the general election for Mayor of Raleigh on November 8, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Mary-Ann Baldwin (Nonpartisan) | 46.6 | 71,521 | |
Terrance Ruth (Nonpartisan) ![]() | 40.6 | 62,371 | ||
DaQuanta Copeland (Nonpartisan) ![]() | 10.2 | 15,640 | ||
| Paul Fitts (Nonpartisan) (Write-in) | 1.4 | 2,191 | ||
| Other/Write-in votes | 1.1 | 1,749 | ||
| Total votes: 153,472 | ||||
= 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. | ||||
Endorsements
To view Ruth's endorsements in the 2022 election, please click here.
Campaign themes
2024
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Terrance Ruth completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Ruth's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
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Additionally, my time as the former State Executive Director of the NAACP NC State Conference provided me with a deep understanding of the systemic issues that continue to affect marginalized communities. This experience has honed my ability to identify and challenge inequities, ensuring that every resident of Raleigh has the opportunity to thrive.
My work at the Friday Institute and my PhD in Public Affairs from NC State University have further equipped me with critical skills in policy evaluation and research. These skills are essential for creating data-driven solutions to the complex issues facing Raleigh. My background in public affairs allows me to approach problems with a strategic mindset, ensuring that policies are not only effective but also equitable.
In my role as National Vice President of Programming for Repairers of the Breach and the Poor People's Campaign, I have demonstrated the ability to manage complex issues, build broad coalitions, and drive meaningful change.- I am running for Mayor of Raleigh to create a city where every resident feels a true sense of belonging and the opportunity to thrive. This is more than just a campaign; it's a commitment to building a Raleigh that prioritizes equity, affordable housing, and meaningful community engagement. My platform addressees the systemic challenges that have long marginalized certain communities, and in doing so, we can foster a city that works for everyone, not just a privileged few. Affordable housing is at the forefront of my agenda because housing stability is fundamental to ensuring that all residents can live with dignity and security. By expanding affordable housing options, we can make Raleigh a place where people from all
- To effectively support members of our unhoused community, I would advocate for the implementation of evidence-based models such as "Housing First," which prioritizes providing permanent housing as a foundational step before addressing other issues such as employment, mental health, or substance abuse. The Housing First model has been proven to reduce homelessness significantly by removing barriers to housing entry and offering supportive services tailored to individuals' needs. This approach respects the dignity of individuals by recognizing that stable housing is a basic human right and a critical component of recovery and stability.
- As a member of the Transit Authority and a strong advocate for community engagement, I believe that protecting low-income housing along the BRT corridor is essential to ensuring that Raleigh remains an inclusive and equitable city. The development of the BRT corridor presents both opportunities and challenges, particularly the risk of displacement due to rising property values and the threat of demolition. To safeguard low-income housing, I will advocate for policies that include affordable housing requirements in new developments along the corridor. This could involve leveraging tools like land acquisition, which allows the city to mandate that a percentage of new housing units be designated as affordable and equitable.
Additionally, "The Power Broker" by Robert Caro is another influential book that offers insights into the destructive effects of top-down urban planning. This book emphasizes the need for city development to be inclusive and equitable, highlighting the consequences of neglecting community input in favor of large-scale development projects that often lead to displacement. Dr. Ruth sees parallels between this and some of the challenges Raleigh faces, particularly in neighborhoods where market pressures threaten to push out long-time residents.
On the housing equity front, "Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City" by Matthew Desmond provides a critical examination of the housing crisis and how evictions disproportionately affect low-income and minority communities. This book speaks to Dr. Ruth’s advocacy for policies that prioritize affordable housing and prevent displacement in rapidly developing cities. It aligns with his vision of preserving community ties while ensuring that development benefits all residents.
In line with his philosophy of a strong community-centered approach and weak mayoral structure, Dr. Ruth emphasizes the importance of fostering partnerships between the local government and community organizations. He argues that elected officials should not see themselves as the sole problem-solvers but as facilitators who empower communities to develop and advocate for their own solutions. This belief shapes his view that government must be transparent and create space for community voices in decision-making, particularly those of marginalized groups that are too often overlooked.
Dr. Ruth also views advocacy as a critical responsibility. An elected official must not only listen to their constituents but also use their platform to amplify the voices of those who are often marginalized. His extensive work in education, housing, and social justice equips him with a unique perspective to address systemic inequities through evidence-based policymaking. He believes that elected officials should serve as bridges between the community and higher levels of government, advocating for policies that directly impact the lives of residents.
He views the mayor as someone who must deeply understand the needs and desires of residents, particularly those who feel left behind by the city’s rapid growth. To Dr. Ruth, leadership also means amplifying the voices of marginalized communities and ensuring their priorities are reflected in city policy. As a mayor who believes in the power of community-centered governance, he would prioritize creating more inclusive decision-making processes where residents play an active role.
Dr. Ruth would also prioritize fostering strong communication between the city manager, city council, and the public. Since the city manager handles day-to-day administration, it is critical that the mayor ensures transparency in how decisions are made and that there is accountability at all levels. This means pushing for data-driven policies and clear performance metrics to evaluate the effectiveness of city services.
Another aspect I love is Raleigh’s balance of growth and tradition. We are one of the fastest-growing cities in the country, yet we continue to celebrate our historic roots. From SE Raleigh’s strong legacy of Black culture and civil rights activism to the broader Triangle’s history of academic excellence and innovation, there’s a sense of continuity that keeps us grounded even as we evolve. This dynamic between honoring the past and embracing the future is something that makes Raleigh unique.
The issue of homelessness is directly tied to our housing crisis, and it’s one that will require comprehensive and compassionate solutions. As more people are priced out of the market, we’ve seen a rise in individuals and families experiencing homelessness. Addressing this challenge will require increased investment in affordable housing initiatives, but also a broader strategy that includes expanding mental health services, job training programs, and permanent supportive housing for those who need it most. We must treat housing as a human right, not a commodity.
Given the challenges we face, particularly in areas like affordable housing, transportation infrastructure, and public safety, it’s crucial that Raleigh has strong advocacy in the state legislature to secure funding and policy support. For example, housing equity and homelessness are issues where state and local governments must work together, particularly when it comes to providing affordable housing and protecting vulnerable residents. By leveraging relationships with state lawmakers, the mayor and city council can push for legislation that addresses the unique needs of Raleigh’s residents while also ensuring that statewide policies don’t inadvertently harm our communities.
For example, federal housing programs such as the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) and HUD's affordable housing grants are vital for Raleigh to address its affordable housing crisis. The city needs to work closely with federal agencies to secure funding for affordable housing projects and ensure that federal regulations support local initiatives aimed at preventing displacement and promoting equitable development. Federal collaboration is also crucial for securing funds to address homelessness, with programs like the Continuum of Care (CoC) offering support for individuals experiencing homelessness.
In particular, a key priority should be to maximize the potential of the ACORN unit (Addressing Crises through Outreach, Response, and Navigation) in Raleigh. By increasing investment in ACORN, the city can expand its capacity to respond to non-violent behavioral health and quality-of-life issues with specialized, non-police crisis responders. This approach allows law enforcement officers to focus on more serious crimes while ensuring that individuals experiencing mental health crises, homelessness, or substance abuse are met with care and expertise. The expansion of ACORN can significantly improve public safety outcomes, reduce unnecessary arrests, and strengthen trust between law enforcement and the community.
His approach to accountability is rooted in continuous dialogue with the community. Dr. Ruth believes that regular town halls, open data portals, and clear reporting mechanisms should be in place to ensure residents are kept informed about the city's financial decisions. He also advocates for participatory budgeting, a process in which residents can directly influence how a portion of the city’s budget is spent, especially in underserved communities.
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
Terrance Ruth completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2022. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Ruth's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
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- Housing affordability
- Restoring community trust
- Improving civic engagement
Raleigh is currently one of the fastest-growing cities in our nation, but all of the growth in the world means nothing if it means making it less affordable to live here. We’ve watched as changes presented as solutions to unaffordable housing resulted in rising rents in low-income areas. It seems backward to have an affordable housing solution play a part in displacing longtime residents and contributors to our environment as a city. With inflation becoming a stark reality for many people’s pockets, it is time to reconsider how to ensure that Raleigh is affordable at all.
Government
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.
See also
2024 Elections
External links
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Candidate Mayor of Raleigh |
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Footnotes
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