Ballotpedia - Paul Fitts

The News & Observer - Does Raleigh need 400 more cops? This new candidate for mayor says yes.

Paul grew up near Wendell and earned his undergraduate education from Pembroke State University (University of North Carolina at Pembroke). He and his wife, Joelle, live together in North Raleigh.

Paul currently works as a mortgage lender. He previously worked for Accent Imaging and has experience in business ownership in Raleigh and Wake County.

Paul Fitts previously ran for mayor in 2017 and 2022 but did not win. He has also run for a seat on the Raleigh City Council and the Wake County Board of Commissioners.

Candidate website

Believes in making the city more business-friendly to attract businesses and create livable areas.

Believes the state isn’t paying its fair share of property taxes and the city is being shorted more than $150 million.

Believes the state should be paying property taxes.

Believes Raleigh's heavy burden of non-taxed government property hinders tax base expansion. Plans to redevelop Central Men’s Prison site for commercial use.

Believes Raleigh's economy is stagnant due to increased remote work, with a 20-25% decline in the local workforce.

Believes the increase in remote work has hindered Raleigh's economic growth and incentives should be created for people to live downtown.

- Believes in making the city more business-friendly to attract businesses and create livable areas.
- Believes the state should be paying property taxes.
- Believes Raleigh's heavy burden of non-taxed government property hinders tax base expansion. Plans to redevelop Central Men’s Prison site for commercial use.
- Believes the increase in remote work has hindered Raleigh's economic growth and incentives should be created for people to live downtown.

Economy

Opposes funding the Durham Performing Arts Center (DPAC) with Raleigh tax dollars.

Supports promoting local venues like the Duke Energy Center, Raleigh Little Theater, and NCSU's performances while opposing constant funding of Durham Performing Arts Center's (DPAC) shows by Raleigh's citizens.

Believes the City should maintain its current park commitments but should not acquire new park lands until workforce and housing situations are stabilized.

Believes the city should maintain its current park commitments but should not acquire new parklands until workforce and housing conditions improve.

Supports providing long-term care or group homes for individuals who are mentally or physically incapable of self-care.

Supports providing long-term care or group homes for individuals who are mentally or physically disabled.

Opposes the Democrat-led council's focus on Dix Park, saying it has allocated $500M to parks that "WILL NEVER REPAY ITS INVESTMENT" and that "our Debt Servicing is more than our investment into Public Safety."

Opposes the city's large financial investment into Dix Park; believes it does not provide a positive return on investment.

- Supports promoting local venues like the Duke Energy Center, Raleigh Little Theater, and NCSU's performances while opposing constant funding of Durham Performing Arts Center's (DPAC) shows by Raleigh's citizens.
- Believes the city should maintain its current park commitments but should not acquire new parklands until workforce and housing conditions improve.
- Supports providing long-term care or group homes for individuals who are mentally or physically disabled.
- Opposes the city's large financial investment into Dix Park; believes it does not provide a positive return on investment.

Public Services

Believes the city needs at least 400 more police officers and plans to broaden the tax base to invest more money into public safety.

Believes the city needs at least 400 more police officers; plans to expand the tax base to increase funding for public safety.

Believes Raleigh has become a "soft-on-crime city" since the 2020 riots and wants to change its status as a "soft target" for crime.

Believes Raleigh has become a "soft-on-crime city" since the 2020 riots surrounding police brutality in the United States.

Supports relocating Central and Women’s Prisons from Downtown Raleigh to areas with cheaper land and potential for local economic growth through state paying jobs.

Supports relocating Central and Women’s Prisons from Downtown Raleigh to areas with cheaper land and potential for local economic growth through job creation.

Supports legal gaming in Raleigh, believing it would boost local revenue and fund public safety without increasing taxes.

Supports legal gaming in Raleigh; believes it would increase local revenue and help fund public safety without increasing taxes.

- Believes the city needs at least 400 more police officers; plans to expand the tax base to increase funding for public safety.
- Believes Raleigh has become a "soft-on-crime city" since the 2020 riots surrounding police brutality in the United States.
- Supports relocating Central and Women’s Prisons from Downtown Raleigh to areas with cheaper land and potential for local economic growth through job creation.
- Supports legal gaming in Raleigh; believes it would increase local revenue and help fund public safety without increasing taxes.

Public Safety

Believes the first step to affordable housing is making it available, and plans to convert underutilized commercial spaces to create urban homeownership.

Supports increasing affordable housing by converting underutilized commercial spaces to homes.

- Supports increasing affordable housing by converting underutilized commercial spaces to homes.

Housing & Urban Development

Opposes spending billions on light rail systems, believing telecommuting is a sufficient alternative.

Opposes large investments in the light rail system.

- Opposes large investments in the light rail system.

Transportation & Infrastructure

As of July 31, 2024, Paul Fitts’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Education

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Paul Fitts

Believes the city's economy has significantly declined since 2020, as evidenced by "Downtown Fayetteville Street looks like a ghost town daily."

Believes the state should be paying more in property taxes.

Believes the increase in remote work has hindered Raleigh's economic growth.

Believes state property such as the General Assembly building, the Governor’s Mansion, Carter Finley, PNC Arena, and NCSU campus should not be taxed.

Believes state property should not be taxed.

- Believes in making the city more business-friendly to attract businesses and create livable areas.
- Believes the state should be paying more in property taxes.
- Believes Raleigh's heavy burden of non-taxed government property hinders tax base expansion. Plans to redevelop Central Men’s Prison site for commercial use.
- Believes the increase in remote work has hindered Raleigh's economic growth.
- Believes state property should not be taxed.

Volunteers for charity and civic events, including Raleigh Parks and Recreation and the “Jingle Ball.”

Believes in the need for leadership and plans to run for office to benefit the city and community, saying, "I’m not running against a person."

Believes in the importance of community contribution and helping others achieve their dreams.

Opposes funding the Durham Performing Arts Center (DPAC) with city tax dollars.

- Opposes funding the Durham Performing Arts Center (DPAC) with city tax dollars.
- Believes the city should maintain its current park commitments but should not acquire new parklands until workforce and housing conditions improve.
- Supports providing long-term care or group homes for individuals who are mentally or physically disabled.
- Opposes the city's large financial investment into Dix Park; believes it does not provide a positive return on investment.

Believes public safety is a major concern due to rising crime rates in Raleigh, including murder, break-ins, and assaults.

Believes homelessness is a significant issue, saying "Homelessness is at an all-time high in Raleigh."

Believes in helping to transition homeless people to places where they need to be.

Believes underused state properties should be converted into housing (townhomes, rowhouses, condos) to create livable, taxable properties that will strengthen and revitalize the city.

Believes underused state properties should be converted into housing.

Believes in repurposing unused properties, such as the Central and Women’s Prisons, to create livable spaces.

Plans to maintain a clean city while addressing the needs of a changing population and not focusing on just one area of city responsibilities.

Opposes spending large investments on light rail systems.

- Opposes spending large investments on light rail systems.

Paul Fitts grew up near Wendell and attended East Wake High School and Pembroke State (now UNC-P). He was raised Southern Baptist. He currently lives in North Raleigh with his wife, Joelle, whom he married in 2015.

Paul Fitts is currently a mortgage lender. He previously worked at a graphics company called Accent Imaging and has experience in real estate and business ownership in Raleigh and Wake County.

Paul Fitts previously ran for mayor in 2017 but did not win. He has also run for an at-large seat on the Raleigh City Council and the Wake County Board of Commissioners.

- Believes in making the city more business-friendly to attract businesses and create livable areas.
- Believes the state isn’t paying its fair share of property taxes and the city is being shorted more than $150 million.
- Believes Raleigh's heavy burden of non-taxed government property hinders tax base expansion. Plans to redevelop Central Men’s Prison site for commercial use.
- Believes Raleigh's economy is stagnant due to increased remote work, with a 20-25% decline in the local workforce.
- Believes state property such as the General Assembly building, the Governor’s Mansion, Carter Finley, PNC Arena, and NCSU campus should not be taxed.

Opposes the Democrat-led council's focus on Dix Park, saying it has allocated $500M to parks that "will never repay its investment" and that "our Debt Servicing is more than our investment into Public Safety."

- Opposes funding the Durham Performing Arts Center (DPAC) with Raleigh tax dollars.
- Believes the City should maintain its current park commitments but should not acquire new park lands until workforce and housing situations are stabilized.
- Supports providing long-term care or group homes for individuals who are mentally or physically incapable of self-care.
- Opposes the Democrat-led council's focus on Dix Park, saying it has allocated $500M to parks that "will never repay its investment" and that "our Debt Servicing is more than our investment into Public Safety."

- Believes the city needs at least 400 more police officers and plans to broaden the tax base to invest more money into public safety.
- Believes public safety is a major concern due to rising crime rates in Raleigh, including murder, break-ins, and assaults.
- Believes Raleigh has become a "soft-on-crime city" since the 2020 riots and wants to change its status as a "soft target" for crime.
- Supports relocating Central and Women’s Prisons from Downtown Raleigh to areas with cheaper land and potential for local economic growth through state paying jobs.
- Supports legal gaming in Raleigh, believing it would boost local revenue and fund public safety without increasing taxes.

- Believes in helping to transition homeless people to places where they need to be.
- Believes underused state properties should be converted into housing (townhomes, rowhouses, condos) to create livable, taxable properties that will strengthen and revitalize the city.
- Believes the first step to affordable housing is making it available, and plans to convert underutilized commercial spaces to create urban homeownership.
- Believes in repurposing unused properties, such as the Central and Women’s Prisons, to create livable spaces.

- Opposes spending billions on light rail systems, believing telecommuting is a sufficient alternative.
- Plans to maintain a clean city while addressing the needs of a changing population and not focusing on just one area of city responsibilities.

Paul Fitts previously ran for mayor in 2017 against then Mayor Nancy McFarlane. He has also run for an at-large seat on the Raleigh City Council and the Wake County Board of Commissioners.

Believes public safety should be the top priority for the Raleigh City Council, saying it has become “a mess” and estimates the city needs 400 more police officers and support staff to alleviate current staffing issues.

Believes crime can be reduced by improving Rochester Police Department presence.

Supports increasing the police force, saying, "Does Raleigh need 400 more cops? This new candidate for mayor says yes."

Believes the Democrat-led city council has neglected public safety since 2011, focusing solely on Dix Park.

Wants to add 400 new police officers if elected.

- The mayor leads the executive branch of local government, presiding over city council meetings, making sure city departments run smoothly, and providing services to citizens. 
- The mayor attends and runs City Council meetings, serving as an important leader for how local laws get set. These laws affect local services, such as Police, City Planning, Parks & Recreation, and Transportation.  
- The Mayor in some circumstances may vote to break a tie in council meetings. They do not have veto power.