Meet Jasmine Zavala — the candidate promising smart growth and ...

Jasmine Zavala is from Wake Forest, where she still lives today with her husband. She has a bachelor’s degree in economics and business administration from Meredith College and a master’s degree in public administration from the University of North Carolina Wilmington.

Jasmine is a small business manager at Los Tres Magueyes. She also works as a teacher in low-income communities in Eastern North Carolina through Teach for America. 

Jasmine Zavala (Wake Forest Town Council, North Carolina ...

Jasmine's campaign for Wake Forest Town Commissioner is her first entry into politics.

Prioritizes addressing housing affordability.

Economy

Plans to prioritize data-driven decision-making, equity, and community building to enhance public services in Wake Forest.

- Wants stronger community engagement.
- Plans to prioritize data-driven decision-making, equity, and community building to enhance public services in Wake Forest.

Public Services

As of September 3, 2025, Jasmine Zavala’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Housing & Urban Development

Public Safety

Supports the planning of an Amtrak station, corridor revitalizations, and steps to improve walkability and biking access in Wake Forest.

Hopes to influence key upcoming plans, including the proposed Amtrak station, corridor revitalizations, and efforts to improve walkability and bike access in Wake Forest.

- Hopes to influence key upcoming plans, including the proposed Amtrak station, corridor revitalizations, and efforts to improve walkability and bike access in Wake Forest.

Transportation & Infrastructure

Education

LinkedIn

Jasmine Zavala

Supports ensuring affordable housing options for young families, seniors, and long-time residents.

Jasmine Zavala is from Wake Forest, North Carolina. She has a bachelor’s degree in political science from Meredith College and a master’s degree in public administration from the University of North Carolina Wilmington. She lives with her husband and their five rescue pets in Wake Forest.

Jasmine is a small business manager at Los Tres Magueyes. She previously worked as a teacher in low-income communities in Eastern North Carolina through Teach for America. 

As of September 3, 2025, Jasmine Zavala did not have a website or any information online.

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Buket Urgen

Wake Forest candidate Haseeb Fatmi champions thoughtful ...

Haseeb Fatmi holds a bachelor’s degree in political science and international studies from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a law degree from Fordham University. He lives with his wife in Wake Forest.

Haseeb works as an attorney at Ogletree Deakins, where he practices employment law. He is also an adjust professor at Campbell 
University Schools of Law. He previously worked as an adjunct faculty member at Fordham Law School and in private practice litigation. Fatmi also completed federal clerkships served as a special assistant U.S. attorney.

Haseeb Fatmi (Wake Forest Town Council, North Carolina ...

Haseeb's campaign for Wake Forest Town Commissioner is his first entry into politics.

Candidate website

Opposes tolls and fees, advocating for a balanced budget that does not shift the burden of costly projects onto citizens.

Wants to keep a balanced budget, avoid tolls and fees, and prevent costly projects from impacting residents.

- Opposes tolls and fees, advocating for a balanced budget that does not shift the burden of costly projects onto citizens.
- Wants to keep a balanced budget, avoid tolls and fees, and prevent costly projects from impacting residents.

Supports making government more accessible and responsive.

Supports making government more transparent, accessible, and responsive.

- Supports making government more transparent, accessible, and responsive.

Opposes "bullseye development," which concentrates jobs and retail in one area while housing sprawls outward, forcing long commutes. Instead, supports "pocket" or "core" development, smaller hubs that combine housing, schools, shops, and offices.

Supports 'pocket’ or ‘core’ development, which combine housing, schools, shops, and offices so residents can live, work, and shop in the same area.

- Supports 'pocket’ or ‘core’ development, which combine housing, schools, shops, and offices so residents can live, work, and shop in the same area.

As of September 3, 2025, Haseeb Fatmi’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Supports targeted micro transit, bike lanes, and safer walking routes, but only if they’re integrated into the planning process.

Supports targeted micro transit, bike lanes, and safer walking routes if they’re integrated into the planning process.

Believes in prioritizing infrastructural upgrades over unchecked expansion.

Supports promoting job growth and local businesses through strategic use of laws and ordinances.

- Supports targeted micro transit, bike lanes, and safer walking routes if they’re integrated into the planning process.
- Believes in prioritizing infrastructural upgrades over unchecked expansion.
- Supports promoting job growth and local businesses through strategic use of laws and ordinances.

Haseeb Fatmi

Haseeb Fatmi earned a bachelor’s degree in political science and international studies from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a law degree from Fordham University. He lives with his wife in Wake Forest.

Haseeb is an attorney at Ogletree Deakins, where he practices employment law. He previously worked in private practice litigation, completed federal clerkships, including with the chief bankruptcy judge in the Northern District of New York, and served as a Special Assistant U.S. Attorney handling Social Security disability cases.

As of September 3, 2025, Haseeb Fatmi did not have a website or any information online.

Nick is from Western Pennsylvania, but currently resides in Wake Forest with his family. 

Nick Sliwinski (Wake Forest Town Council, North Carolina ...

Who's Running 2025: Wake County Cities and Towns

Nick is currently a commissioner on Wake Forest's board of commissioners. He is running for his second term.

As of September 3, 2025, Nick Sliwinski’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Supports local police and fire departments and believes in providing them necessary resources to maintain community safety.

- Supports local police and fire departments and believes in providing them necessary resources to maintain community safety.

Supports development only if it includes necessary infrastructure improvements for rezoning.

- Supports development only if it includes necessary infrastructure improvements for rezoning.

Nick Sliwinski

As of September 3, 2025, Nick Sliwinski did not have a website or any information online.

Pam and her husband attend Richland Creek Community Church.

Pam James (Wake Forest Town Council, North Carolina, candidate ...

Pam James's campaign for Wake Forest Town Commissioner is her first entry into politics. 

Plans to lower taxes by identifying and eliminating waste in town government.

Supports developer-funded accommodations to avoid burdening taxpayers, such as building roads and fire stations during development.

- Plans to lower taxes by identifying and eliminating waste in town government.
- Supports developer-funded accommodations to avoid burdening taxpayers, such as building roads and fire stations during development.

Supports creating safe, fun alternatives for children to gather and socialize through public-private partnerships.

Supports additional amenities for seniors, including more opportunities for pickleball, and seeks public-private partnerships to enhance services for the aging population.

Supports a community-based workshop to help residents understand the Wake Forest Unified Development Ordinance, which covers zoning, land use, and development requirements.

Supports celebrating local history with town tours, highlighting the forgotten train, and continuing the Christmas Parade.

- Supports creating safe, fun alternatives for children to gather and socialize through public-private partnerships.
- Supports additional amenities for seniors, including more opportunities for pickleball, and seeks public-private partnerships to enhance services for the aging population.
- Supports a community-based workshop to help residents understand the Wake Forest Unified Development Ordinance, which covers zoning, land use, and development requirements.
- Supports celebrating local history with town tours, highlighting the forgotten train, and continuing the Christmas Parade.

Supports a moratorium on high-density apartment buildings until a logical plan to alleviate traffic is established.

- Supports a moratorium on high-density apartment buildings until a logical plan to alleviate traffic is established.

As of September 3, 2025, Pam James’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Supports responsible growth oversight and traffic alleviation.

Opposes tolling Capital Boulevard and adding passenger rail service without first understanding who would use it.

- Supports responsible growth oversight and traffic alleviation.
- Opposes tolling Capital Boulevard and adding passenger rail service without first understanding who would use it.

Supports collaborating with the Wake County School Board to improve educational opportunities and parental involvement.

- Supports collaborating with the Wake County School Board to improve educational opportunities and parental involvement.

Twitter

Pam James

Pam James has been rooted in Wake Forest for 16 years. She is a devoted wife, mom of two adult daughters, ‘grammy’ to five granddaughters and, after embracing two children whose parents died tragically, became an adoptive parent. She loves Wake Forest deeply. Pam is a faithful member of Richland Creek Community Church where she and her husband of 37 years have dedicated countless hours to mission trips, ministries and service. Her husband Rob is a veteran naval submarine officer and deacon at the church. Pam attended Appalachian Bible College and Southern West Virginia Community College.

Pam currently works as a driver for GoWake SmartRide, the town's free van service. She previously worked in customer service roles in Wake Forest.

As of September 3, 2025, Pam James did not have a website or any information online.

Walter Ley

Plans to partner with the Chamber of Commerce to improve the business climate and provide tax relief for residents.

Supports collaborating with the Wake County School Board to strengthen educational opportunities, increase parental involvement, and create a better future for children in Wake Forest.

Supports developer-funded infrastructure to avoid burdening taxpayers.

Believes in developer-funded infrastructure to avoid burdening taxpayers.

R. Keith Shackleford, Wake Forest Board of Commissioners

R. Keith Shackleford lives in Wake Forest. He holds a bachelor's degree from Wake Forest University and a law degree from Wake Forest University School of Law. He served as a trustee for Wake Technical Community College and of the Fishburne-Hudgins Education Foundation. 

Keith previously worked as an attorney at Warren Shackleford, Attorneys P.L.L.C.

R. Keith Shackleford (Wake Forest Town Council, North Carolina ...

Keith currently serves as a member of the Wake Forest Board of Commissioners. He was first elected in 2021 and is currently serving his second term. He previously served as a commissioner on the Housing Authority of Wake County for four terms. 

Supports collaboration with the Chamber of Commerce to attract businesses and industries.

Supports working with the Chamber of Commerce to attract businesses and industries.

Supports providing grants or low-interest loans to help upfit historic buildings into restaurants.

Supports offering grants or low-interest, short-term loans to help businesses upfit historic buildings along White Street.

- Supports working with the Chamber of Commerce to attract businesses and industries.
- Supports offering grants or low-interest, short-term loans to help businesses upfit historic buildings along White Street.

Supports the upcoming bond referendum for Parks and Recreation.

- Supports the upcoming bond referendum for Parks and Recreation.

Supports providing incentives to ensure growth includes more affordable housing for a broader range of income levels.

Supports using incentives to ensure growth includes expanding affordable housing for residents across diverse income brackets.

- Supports using incentives to ensure growth includes expanding affordable housing for residents across diverse income brackets.

Supports the current leadership of the Wake Forest Police and Fire Departments, emphasizing community trust and professional service.

- Supports the current leadership of the Wake Forest Police and Fire Departments, emphasizing community trust and professional service.

Supports the Renaissance Plan to attract more customers and businesses downtown, including expanding restaurants and retail downtown, staffing a Downtown Development Manager, and partnering with Wake Forest Downtown, Inc.

Believes in slowing development in areas with heavy traffic congestion.

Where to reduce the speed of development in areas that already have heavy traffic. 

Supports increasing the budget for roads and traffic control improvements.

Wants to  increase the budget for roads and traffic control improvements.

Believes improving public transit will reduce congestion and supports adding more bus routes.

Recognizes parking shortages downtown and supports solutions to improve convenience for visitors and shoppers.

- Supports the Renaissance Plan to attract more customers and businesses downtown, including expanding restaurants and retail downtown, staffing a Downtown Development Manager, and partnering with Wake Forest Downtown, Inc.
- Where to reduce the speed of development in areas that already have heavy traffic. 
- Wants to  increase the budget for roads and traffic control improvements.
- Believes improving public transit will reduce congestion and supports adding more bus routes.
- Recognizes parking shortages downtown and supports solutions to improve convenience for visitors and shoppers.

As of September 3, 2025, R. Keith Shackleford’s website did not contain information on this issue.

R. Keith Shackleford

R. Keith Shackleford earned a bachelor of arts in political science and government from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a juris doctor from Wake Forest University School of Law. He lives in Wake Forest, North Carolina.

R. Keith Shackleford is currently a member of the Wake Forest Board of Commissioners. He was first elected in 2021 and is currently serving his second term. He previously served as a commissioner on the Housing Authority of Wake County for four terms. 

Supports workforce development initiatives.

Linkedin

Thomas Dement is from Wake County, where he still lives today. He holds a bachelor's degree in agriculture and business and management from North Carolina State University. He is married and has 2 kids. He is a member and active volunteer at The Summit Church. 

Thomas is a strategic planning manager at James River Equipment. He previously worked at John Deere, where he was a deadly development manager, territory manager, and dealer development specialist. 

Thomas Dement (Wake Forest Town Council, North Carolina ...

Thomas's campaign for Wake Forest Town Commissioner is his first entry into politics. 

Supports small businesses and restaurants by streamlining permits and promoting local spending.

Plans to streamline permits and promote local spending.

Supports expanding community events and programming to support vendors and attract visitors to town.

Opposes higher taxes and believes in "smarter leadership" to manage existing funds.

- Plans to streamline permits and promote local spending.
- Supports expanding community events and programming to support vendors and attract visitors to town.
- Opposes higher taxes and believes in "smarter leadership" to manage existing funds.

Believes in "clear, smart planning and holding ourselves accountable in execution" to avoid past mistakes.

- Believes in "clear, smart planning and holding ourselves accountable in execution" to avoid past mistakes.

Wants to focus on neighborhood planning that avoids high-density overdevelopment, preserves small-town character, protects trees, and supports families of all ages. 

Supports improving walkability and bike-friendliness.

Wants to improve  walkability and bike-friendliness for "everyone—not just drivers."

Supports preserving and improving greenspaces, expanding parks, and connecting greenways to enhance community recreation and safety.

Plans to revitalize aging commercial corridors like South Main Street and Capital Boulevard to enhance their attractiveness and accessibility.

- Wants to focus on neighborhood planning that avoids high-density overdevelopment, preserves small-town character, protects trees, and supports families of all ages. 
- Wants to improve  walkability and bike-friendliness for "everyone—not just drivers."
- Supports preserving and improving greenspaces, expanding parks, and connecting greenways to enhance community recreation and safety.
- Plans to revitalize aging commercial corridors like South Main Street and Capital Boulevard to enhance their attractiveness and accessibility.

As of September 3, 2025, Thomas Dement’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Believes roads, sidewalks, and greenways should be built before or alongside new development.

- Believes roads, sidewalks, and greenways should be built before or alongside new development.

Thomas Dement

Thomas Dement is a Wake County native and proud resident of Wake Forest for 18 years. A dedicated husband and father of two, Thomas is deeply invested in the future of the town he and his family call home. A committed member and active volunteer at The Summit Church, Thomas also gives his time to a local animal rescue organization—reflecting his heart for service and compassion for both people and animals. This dedication to community, combined with his professional experience, has inspired him to run for Town Commissioner.

As of September 3, 2025, Thomas Dement did not have a website or any information online.

Supports revitalizing aging commercial corridors like South Main Street and Capital Boulevard to improve their attractiveness and accessibility.

Wants to change the city's approach to infrastructure by building roads, sidewalks, and greenways before or alongside new development, not years after.

Supports improving walkability and bike-friendliness to enhance safety and accessibility for all.

- Town commissioners serve as the legislative body for the town government. 
- Town commissioners have the authority to decide the services offered to the town, pass the budget, decide the property tax, acquire property, and enter into agreements with other governments. 
- The town commissioners can create or abolish any offices, positions, departments, etc. to improve the organization of the town. 
- Town commissioners may make investigations into the town or any of its departments or agencies. 
- Most town commissioners in Georgia are elected in odd years to staggered 4 year terms. Elections are nonpartisan. 