Forsyth County will hold general elections on Nov. 5. The city of Winston-Salem will elect its mayor and eight city council members, one for each of the eight wards in the city. Incumbent mayor Allen Joines (D) will run against James Knox (R), who decided to keep his name on the ballot after a tumultuous campaign.
This summer, controversial comments from Knox’s Facebook page surfaced and he was accused of making a racially insensitive remark to an election worker. Knox then lost the support of the local Republican Party in August, making it difficult for a successful campaign to continue. Knox defended the comments and claimed that they were not meant to offend anyone.
He initially decided to withdraw from the race, but eventually decided to leave his name on the ballot and let the voters decide.
Wake Forest is located in the Northwest Ward of Winston-Salem, where Lida Hayes Calvert (R) and Jeff MacIntosh (D) are running for an empty seat on the city council.
Students who are registered to vote in Winston-Salem will be able to vote at the Arts Council Theater on Coliseum Drive. Early voting will run through Nov. 2 at The Forsyth County Board of Elections located on Chestnut Street in Winston-Salem.
MAYORAL CANDIDATES
Allen Joines
Party: Democratic
Education: B.S.from Applachian State University, Masters of Public Administration from University of Georgia
Experience: Joines has served as the mayor of Winston-Salem since 2001. He was re-elected in 2005 and 2009. Joines has worked in Winston-Salem since 1971, when he became an assistant to the city manager.
Focuses: Since becoming mayor, Joines has focused on improving the economy in Winston. He created over 4,000 jobs in the area during his first term as mayor, and an additional 8,000 jobs in subsequent terms. Joines has also increased the city’s tax base during his tenure as mayor. If re-elected, Joines will continue to focus on improving Winston’s economy, by encouraging businesses in the area to expand and by attracting new business. Joines will also continue to focus on decreasing poverty in the area. He will focus on areas of high poverty and will continue social programs like the Our Winston-Salem Housing Assistance Program to increase home ownership and decrease homelessness in the area.
James Knox
Party: Republican
Education: Associate degree in business management and political science from Surry Community College
Experience: Knox has worked as a wrecker driver for Coliseum Towing since 1995. In November of 2012, Knox was elected as the Forsyth County Soil and Water Conservation District Supervisor.
Focuses: Knox has stated that he would like to be the voice of the “blue collar” citizens of Winston-Salem. Like Joines, he would focus on expanding Winston’s economy and decreasing the amount of poverty in the area. Knox also believes that creating jobs in the area is a priority and that Winston-Salem must separate themselves from other nearby cities to make the city more attractive to employers and businesses. Knox would also like to restore a sense of civic pride in the area.
Challenges: Knox does not have the support of his party in this campaign, making his campaign difficult. He decided to stay on the ballot to give the “blue collar” citizens of Winston-Salem a choice.
CITY COUNCIL CANDIDATES
Jeff MacIntosh
Party: Democratic
Education: B.A. in economics from Wake Forest University
Experience: MacIntosh has worked in real estate in the area since graduating from Wake Forest in 1980. He has worked in both commercial and residential real estate as a realtor and investor at Leonard Ryden Burr Real Estate. MacIntosh has also served on numerous volunteer boards in the area, many of which focus on urban restoration. MacIntosh is also a member of the Mayor’s Select Capital Needs Committee and the Mayor’s Select Development Review-Related Advisory Committee.
Focuses: If elected to the city council, MacIntosh will focus on making Winston-Salem a vibrant community that will attract small businesses, the arts and tourism. He will also focus on growing the city’s industrial and manufacturing industries. MacIntosh would also like to increase the pay of public safety jobs so that Winston-Salem can attract experienced police officers and firemen to keep Winston-Salem citizens safe.
Lida Hayes Calvert
Party: Republican
Education: Attended Eastern Carolina University
Experience: Calvert has owned a local small business in the area since 1986. Calvert is the owner of S&L Painting and Decorating Inc., a company that she started with her friend over 20 years ago with just $200. Now, the business generates about $6 million in sales annually. She has been recognized for being a local, female business leader and has received many awards for her accomplishments including the Winston-Salem Chamber of Commerce Small Business Award and Women of Vision Lifetime Achievement Award by the YWCA. She has also served on the Winston-Salem Chamber of Commerce Executive Board and the Citizens Organizational Efficiency and Review Committee.
Focuses: Additionally, Calvert aims to focus on creating and sustaining job growth in the area. She would also like to lower taxes in the area and cut wasteful spending. She would also focus on continuing to develop the downtown area if elected to the city council.