WILMINGTON — A former Wilmington police officer and FBI task force officer, who now works as a private investigator, real estate broker, and adjunct professor at Cape Fear Community College, is seeking the candidacy for Wilmington mayor.
Billy Craig is focusing his campaign on public safety, infrastructure and taxes.
“I do have a strong interest in providing the city’s workforce with whistle-blower protection so when they bring concerns forward, they are not retaliated against,” he told Port City Daily. “I want to utilize community partnerships to support our residents and make sure everyone has a voice.”
The mayoral race is nonpartisan, though Craig is affiliated with the Republican Party. He’s running against two Democrats, including incumbent Bill Saffo and former county commissioner Jonathan Barfield.
Though it is Craig’s first time campaigning for an elected position, he said: “I have sworn an oath to uphold the U.S. Constitution, the state Constitution and to follow the law even to protect the citizenry against tyranny,” while in his former law enforcement positions from 1995 through 2023.
Port City Daily asked all candidates a slate of questions about topics that are tracking high with voters and residents of Wilmington currently. The candidate’s answers have been edited for clarity, and their opinions and statements are not a reflection of Port City Daily.
A few things to consider ahead of going to the polls:
- A valid ID is required to cast ballot in North Carolina
- Election Day is Nov. 4, 2025, with voters required to go to their assigned precinct locations
- Early voting opens Oct. 16 and closes Nov. 1, and voters can cast a ballot at any of these four sites: Northeast Library (1241 Military Cutoff Road), Carolina Beach Town Hall’s Police Training Room (1121 N. Lake Park Blvd.), Cape Fear Community College’s McLeod Building, (411 N. Front St.), and New Hanover County Senior Resource Center’s Multipurpose Room, (2222 S. College Road). See all hours of operation here where you can also track the wait times at each early voting location.
- Anyone who wants to register to vote can do so here through Oct. 10 or register and vote during early voting
Port City Daily’s paywall has been dropped on candidate profiles to help voters make informed decisions ahead of the election. Below are Craig’s answers:
Port City Daily: What makes you qualified for a seat on council and sets you apart from other candidates?
Billy Craig: I have worked for the City of Wilmington. I understand, as an employee of this municipality, what it means to be considered “less than” by our city leaders and by those entrusted with our lively hoods. When a survey of Wilmington police officers reveals approximately 85% would not recommend the department to their friends or potential new officers, this is an extremely disturbing problem.
I am well in tune with public safety. Technology is wonderful; however, we need officers who can interpret and act on information or intelligence gleaned from particular tools. Human interaction solves crimes, not AI or a computer.
Additionally, I understand how removing resources from public safety directly impacts infrastructure. Increase in crime rates and traffic crashed directly attribute to insurance prices.
PCD: Homelessness continues to be debated among area leaders; what isn’t being discussed about it, in your opinion, that you think could help better steer its direction? Do you support implementing the former joint strategy that the city and county devised in September 2024? If not, why and what strategies do you think should be implemented? How much money would you support the city dedicating to the effort?
BC: There are approximately 26 nonprofits working toward the same goal to address homelessness. If you were to put them all in a room together, you will receive a statement they are all working toward a common goal. However, each nonprofit operates in their own “lane” and do not have a locally, centralized database or guidance to work under to focus on that goal of addressing homelessness. I want someone who can keep the vision together and manage the issue without interference.
I believe approximately 2-million dollars were spent and the city/county broke ties over the matter on the joint strategy. There are other states and municipalities who have tackled a lot of the homeless issues by simply being involved and speaking with homeless directly to identify areas/homes/support they can return to with the assistance of said municipality. I am in favor of attempting such a task. Much of the data has already been assembled by officer contact and we can tap into this information to maybe return a homeless person to a support system which fulfills their needs.
I also believe in working with those nonprofits and even the Endowment to assist these souls in getting back to a real support system. The Endowment is set up as a charitable organization and I believe are tasked with spending 4% a year and if they don’t, this moves to 5% in January 2026. If the Endowment is not living up to assisting the community, as their website boasts, they are in danger of losing their status. What happens to the funds then?
PCD: In development conversations, the supply of housing and affordability are often at odds with residents’ desire to keep density low. How would you propose tackling these issues respectively? Do you think it’s possible for the city to satisfy both desires? Why or why not?
BC: The current approved projects need to move forward to avoid any penalties against the city. Addressing the rezoning, ensuring our tree canopy is preserved and advancing the infrastructure is a priority.
I do believe in a “win-win” situation. Although there are always those who staunchly disagree. Making sure all have a voice and are allowed to voice concerns is extremely important. The city can “hear” what the people say — they must focus on LISTENING.
PCD: What does balancing green space with development needs look like in your view, such as when it comes to protecting wetlands or rebuilding the tree canopy? Do you have examples of cities or developments that have done this successfully?
BC: Wetlands must be protected. Ignoring the environment has negative impart on our living spaces. Trees draw water from the ground whereas retention ponds hold water and often overflow due to massive amounts of rain from storms.
Woodland, TX seems to have incorporated green space with buildings, no matter the size, shape or purpose.
PCD: With the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge price tag escalating to more than $1 billion, how to fund it also remains debated. Both a toll has been floated and a transit sales tax, which would need voter approval potentially in a tri-county referendum that could include multiple projects in New Hanover, Pender and Brunswick counties. Do you support either and/or is there another option you think should be considered to fund the bridge replacement?
BC: I am not in favor of a toll bridge and I am not in favor of a monolithic structure. I want to address contracts the NC State Ports have missed out on due to the current bridge being outdated; I want surrounding local governments to take some ownership in the project. The NCDOT has the final say and I will do everything humanly possible to protect the citizen’s wallet.
PCD: Traffic is a main complaint for Wilmington residents — how do you envision the city’s role in addressing it? Do you think the city should promote public transportation or the expansion of it? How so? Do you think the city’s current plan to maintain and improve the roads it owns is/will be effective?
BC: Many of our roads are maintained by the NCDOT. They need to be held accountable from a public safety stance, as well as a position of responsibility as many military armaments are transported over our roads. Public transportation (WAVE) falls under a unionized position and the city needs to have conversations to find solutions. This could mean utilizing assistance through UNCW and CFCC (student transport) to keep traffic to a minimum.
PCD: With a new police chief starting his post for the Wilmington Police Department this fall, what areas would you like to see him focus on to strengthen public safety and create a sustainable workforce? Explain.
BC: I will work with the chief, providing liaison contacts, which I fostered over a 30 year career. I will work closely with the new city manager to find ways to recruit, foster and maintain our public safety workforce.
We need to remove the stigma that the city deems employees replaceable because “anyone can do the job…” and “keeping an employee more than seven years is a strain to the city…”
PCD: As the city continues to see an influx of residents, how do you think city council should ensure Wilmington’s economy keeps pace and opportunities remain varied across all ages and types of households? What can the city do to ensure its residents have a high enough wage to afford life in Wilmington?
BC: For every 100 jobs created, approximately 75% of the workforce is brought in from outside the state or a several county radius. Mentorship to keep those “local” numbers well above 50% will keep local dollars local, supporting our local economy.
PCD: Some residents have accused the city council of only representing a select few in the community, rather than the needs of all. Do you agree with this sentiment? Explain. What would you do in a leadership position to represent more equitably?
BC: I agree it appears there has been favoritism, which I am against. I believe in leading from the front across all departments, demographics, races, religions and creeds. I want open dialogue and established times to meet and discuss issues that affect the community as a whole — all egos aside. Working together across our beliefs fosters relationships and productivity.
PCD: What is one other issue not discussed above that you have a plan to address if elected and how would you do so?
BC: Our employees have been ignored and retaliated against when they speak out against supervisors. This became relevant when the city spent $76,000 after Human Resources (HR) had received a complaint against a former Wilmington police chief. HR attempted to ignore this matter.
Additionally, there has been at least one incident where a high ranking member of the city government attempted to use their position to change the outcome of an event. The body camera footage was “frozen” and access was limited to only that high ranking member. Mayor Saffo was briefed on matters and chose to ignore them, causing seasoned law enforcement officers to leave for better pay, less stress and better benefits.
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