Mayor Allen Joines announces plans to seek re-election
Mayor Allen Joines announces plans to seek re-election in 2024.
Mayor Allen Joines has announced that he will seek re-election in 2024. Joines, who is Winston-Salem’s longest-serving mayor and currently serving his sixth term, made the announcement last Thursday while standing on the steps of City Hall.
Joines said he’s been weighing his options for about the past six months. He made his decision after being contacted by dozens of community leaders urging him to run again. When he made the announcement last week more than a dozen supporters stood with Joines on the steps of City Hall.
“In the past few weeks I have been contacted by many of our community leaders, including African American, white and Latinx, asking me to run for another term. I am humbled and encouraged by the support I’ve received from across the city,” Joines continued. “Today I am as excited about being your mayor as I was when I first ran … I love this city and I want to continue to tackle the issues facing our residents that are crucial to our future.
“So that’s why today I am announcing I am seeking re-election for the Mayor of Winston-Salem in 2024.”
When discussing his plans for the future, Joines said his first priority will be reducing gun violence. Joines also mentioned plans to improve the employment rate, creating more housing units, and reducing carbon emissions.
Over the years, Joines has never really had any serious opposition and from 2005 to 2009 he ran unopposed. He was first elected mayor in 2001 when he defeated Republican Jack Cavanagh with nearly 80% of the total vote. In 2013 Joines defeated Republican James Knox with 84% of the total vote and in 2020 he defeated Republican Kris McCann with 71% of the total vote.
Before he was elected, Joines served as deputy assistant city manager.
According to the city’s website, Joines is credited for the implementation of the city’s Ten Year Plan to End Chronic Homelessness Commission, Childhood Obesity Prevention Initiative, and the Poverty Reduction Plan, which is a free college program for low-income high school students, as well as a paid internship program for 11th and 12th grade students from disadvantaged families.
Joines’ announcement comes just two weeks after a bill was filed in the N.C. General Assembly to add two at-large seats to the Winston-Salem City Council.
If H.B. 334 is passed during the 2024 General Election, voters citywide will decide on the at-large seats. The change will increase the number of members on the city council from eight to 10. It is unclear when the bill, which was filed by Rep. Donny Lambeth, will be tabled for a vote.
