I believe that together we can build a different and better future for Raleigh.

I’m running for the District D Raleigh City Council seat this November.

I am a designer, a leader, and an optimist.

As a leader I am optimistic. Yes we can welcome new neighbors. Yes we can create affordable housing. Yes we can improve our transit system. Yes we can work with developers. Yes we can pay all our employees fairly. 

As a designer, trained in engineering and architecture, I’ve learned how to start with listening to create positive change in my community. We can achieve these goals by working collaboratively and building consensus towards our goals; understanding the impact of complex systems on individual lives; creating space for diverse voices; and considering critical issues from holistic viewpoints.

As an optimist, I believe in the potential of our local leaders, community members, city staff and local business leaders to work together on how we prioritize and act on these values to actually make positive change happen.

I have been involved and am ready to work. My professional and volunteer efforts in the community have consistently prioritized working together and looking for solutions.

Raleigh is at a critical moment in our growth.

With dozens of new residents each day, we have critical decisions to make on how to equitably and sustainably provide housing, quality of life, and opportunity to welcome new neighbors and support current residents.

I’m running to return the conversation to HOW we want to build OUR City’s future, which will never be a simple yes and no answer.

Do you live, work or play in District D?

District D spans from Downtown to the West along Wade Ave, Hillsborough Street and I-40 and from Downtown to the South along Wilmington Street to Tryon Road. Our district includes some of Raleigh’s most diverse neighborhoods, is home to my alma mater NC State, as well as Meredith University, 30 Raleigh Parks, 2 city pools, 6 community centers and dozens of local businesses and thriving community organizations.

Raleigh has a place for people at so many stages of life, it’s been home to me as I transitioned from student, to mother, to community advocate. I have lived and worked in Raleigh’s District D for 15 years.

As an active leader in the former CAC, now SouthWest Raleigh Community Engagement Forum, I have met many neighbors and spoken alongside them to advocate for the projects our community needs most. We can build better places by working together. I’ve been a long term advocate that designers and developers should work closely with community leaders on shared goals. Because I’ve been involved, I know optimistic and engaged leadership is just what our District needs.

 

ARE YOU REGISTERED TO VOTE?

Raleigh City Council election is in November.

Click here to find out how and where you can vote!

ARE YOU REGISTERED TO VOTE? Raleigh City Council election is in November. Click here to find out how and where you can vote!

 Priorities

  • Equitable and Sustainable Growth

    An equitable future and a sustainable future depend on building differently than we have for the past half century.

    We need to continue the work started by this Council, to encourage incremental and innovative building types that will shape Raleigh into a better place for all its residents.

    We can preserve our parks, natural systems and trees by building denser housing and supporting development of missing middle housing and multi-story mixed-use buildings along transit corridors.

    As things change we need to remember that every Raleigh resident deserves a place to live, work and play.

    To build a different future, we need to:

    - protect and prioritize public spaces and parks by supporting the Parks Bond

    - encourage density downtown and along Bus Rapid Transit corridors

    - continue and expand public funding for affordable housing

    - create zoning regulations that support edible landscaping and urban agriculture

    - incentivize building mixed-use projects that center community and support small businesses

  • Budget that reflects our People and Values

    Now, more than ever, attention is needed to align Raleigh’s spending choices with our values.

    There are always competing needs in a city, but our budget should make support for our employees and our climate goals a priority. City programs have the real ability to improve the safety and quality of life of every resident.

    How Raleigh City Council sets policies and funds ongoing work is the largest annual statement of what we value. How we spend our money matters.

    We should choose to:

    - incentivize public transit ridership with free bus fares and more frequent buses

    - adjust the police budget to meet community needs

    - pay all our part-time and full-time city employees fairly

    - prioritize funding for food security and urban agriculture with a Comprehensive Food Policy

    - support increased Community Engagement across City departments and initiatives with direct touchpoints within the community

  • Transit Choices and Walkability

    Getting around on a bus or bike is hard right now, but it shouldn’t be.

    A vibrant, healthy, and equitable Raleigh depends on supporting residents who walk, bike, and ride the bus as part of their everyday life.

    In our district, we should work to improve the walk score for neighborhoods and promote connectivity between neighborhoods and commercial districts.

    We need to prioritize alternative modes of transportation as primary ways of traveling around our city. Reducing our dependence on automobiles will help us reach multiple environmental and climate goals, as well as improve the health, wellness and quality of life of Raleigh residents.

    For a better sustainable future, we must:

    - prioritize pedestrians and alternative means of transportation

    - create stronger connections for bike lanes and trails to travel to work or school

    - encourage hyper-local neighborhood businesses

    - continue support for Bus Rapid Transit and the Wake Transit Plan

Jenn Truman smiling and standing with hands on hips, wearing a gray shirt and black pinstripe blazer and multi-color headscarf.

Will you support my campaign?

Running for office is a community effort. Support through time, energy and financial donations from friends, neighbors, and residents like you will help me reach more people.

JENN IS PROUD TO BE SUPPORTED AND ENDORSED BY:


  • Mayor Smedes York

    “I am pleased to endorse Jenn Truman for Raleigh City Council District D.

    Jenn would bring a depth of experience and knowledge to the Council. She has experience in civil engineering, architecture and all facets of transit. She understands that growth needs to be sustainable to be positive. She has the balanced approach to make our city continue to prosper.”

  • logo for NC STATE AFL-CIO

    NC AFL-CIO

    The largest association of local unions in North Carolina with over 140,000 union members. They advocate for all working people by fighting for good jobs, safe workplaces, workers rights, consumer protections, and quality public services. What's good for workers is good for business.
    See their full list of endorsements.

  • Matt Tomasulo

    “I've known Jenn for well over a decade now. Jenn is a super thoughtful leader in the community. She continues to bring a level of knowledge and inspiration to our community conversation / vision that is contagious.

    I wholeheartedly support her candidacy for City Council.”

  • County Commissioner Sig Hutchinson

    “Jenn Truman is exactly who we need representing us in District D of the Raleigh City Council.

    As a professional in civil engineering and architecture, she has the knowledge and expertise necessary to continue to move Raleigh forward and to represent us well on the City Council. She is also an experienced advocate for sustainable growth, transit and building walkable, healthy communities. It’s a real pleasure to be supporting Jenn Truman for District D of the Raleigh City Council.”

  • INDY Week

    “Jennifer Truman is an architectural designer and self-described optimist, and her contributions to the city are considerable. An active member of the Southwest CAC before the groups were disbanded, Truman understands that, though imperfect, one of the strengths of the CACs was facilitating community engagement (though she doesn’t support reinstating them). Truman contributed to the Dix Park master planning process, was a member of the community leader group for the Dix Edge study, and has served on the Raleigh Transit Authority for a year and a half. A mother of young children, Truman uses her bike and the public transit system to get around the district. She’s also a proponent and activist in the realm of urban agriculture.”

  • Maggie Kane

    “Jenn is the best!

    We are super lucky to have her in this community. She's always been supportive of A Place at the Table, even before we had a space. She's a regular customer and is often here loving on all the folks coming through the cafe.

    I can’t wait to see how she continues to change our city!

  • Mayor Mary-Ann Baldwin

    “Jennifer has always been a leader who engages citizens, ensures voices are heard and looks at what is best for the community. Her voice has been strong on housing affordability, transit investment, and important projects like downtown South and Dix Park that will build a better Raleigh. “

  • Triangle Apartment Association

    TAA endorses candidates that share the Association’s vision on issues ranging from smart growth and housing affordability to workforce and economic development.
    See their full list of endorsements.
    Founded in 1984, the Triangle Apartment Association is a non-profit trade association serving the multifamily rental housing industry. Their members are comprised of individuals and companies who develop, own, manage, and provide goods and services to the apartment industry in the Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill area.

  • Travis Bailey

    “In the years I've known Jenn she's been constantly active in Raleigh's community advocating for policy and changes to make our city a better place. Jenn's professional background as an architect gives her great insight into the challenges today's zoning policies and procedures face when looking to address affordable housing issues.

    Jenn is passionate about engaging with the community directly where she's attended plenty of in-person community meetings, and even helped arrange community gatherings online to be more inclusive of those who don't have the time to attend in person meetings.

    I'm lucky to have a friend like Jenn, and Raleigh would be very lucky to have her as our District D representative.”

  • Hector Ibarra

    “I’m a small business owner and I am supporting Jenn because I believe in her vision for Raleigh.”

  • Home Builders Association

    The Home Builders Association of Raleigh - Wake County represents approximately more than 90 percent of all housing starts in Wake County. They work closely with the municipal leaders to provide input into decisions that affect housing, housings role in the economy, and the building industry.

  • Tiayonna Liska

    I’m voting for Jenn because over the past few years Jenn has shown a me that she’s genuinely invested in urban agriculture in our city and dedicated to imparting the importance and knowledge of gardening / farming to the next generation.

    She and her family are always seen around town participating in local events and small businesses including several micro farms.

  • Realtor Champion

    Realtor® Champions are candidates identified by RRAR members as individuals who understand and align with our stances on issues vital to the real estate industry, the promotion of fair and equitable access to home ownership, and the protection of private property rights.

Let’s connect.

I'd love to hear your vision for Raleigh and District D!

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