Raleigh NC Mayor Janet Cowell Talks Growth, Grit, and Good Government

In her first 100 days as mayor of Raleigh, Janet Cowell is proving that experience and fresh energy can go hand in hand. Speaking with Dave Martin on The Good Government Show, Cowell reflected on returning to city leadership two decades after first serving on the Raleigh City Council. “It’s a very different place,” she said. “Twenty years ago, I was the only woman on council—now, we have a truly diverse team leading a fast-growing city.”

Cowell’s priorities mirror the pressures of Raleigh’s rapid expansion: housing, public safety, and infrastructure that keeps up with demand. “We’re 65,000 units short on housing,” she noted, while praising recent moves to deregulate development and streamline permits. She also highlighted progress on addressing homelessness, including the January launch of a new county shelter. “It’s all about momentum,” she added. “In this job, time matters—and so does the team you build.”

The mayor also touched on her unique path to office, which includes time as a state senator, state treasurer, and the head of a major public-private parks initiative. “Being mayor is gritty. It’s tangible. You see the trash trucks roll out at 5:30 a.m. and know you’re responsible for that,” she said. “But it’s also inspiring. Cities are where government hits the ground—street trees, public pools, safe roads. That’s real impact.”

When asked what good government looks like, Cowell didn’t hesitate: “It’s listening, building relationships, and solving hard problems—together. And it’s remembering that we all have a stake in making our city work.” To hear more from Mayor Cowell’s refreshingly candid and hopeful conversation, listen to the full episode of The Good Government Show at goodgovernmentshow.com or wherever you get your podcasts.