WILMINGTON — Incumbent Mayor Bill Saffo, a realtor, is seeking his tenth term for the City of Wilmington.
“I have had the honor of serving as mayor of Wilmington since 2007, and before that as a member of city council,” he told Port City Daily. “I am running again because Wilmington is at a pivotal moment. We are experiencing tremendous growth, and we must manage it in a way that protects our quality of life while continuing to create opportunities. I want to keep bringing steady leadership, proven experience, and a balanced approach to the challenges we face.”
The mayor seat is a nonpartisan race, though Saffo is affiliated with the Democratic Party. He’s running against former county commissioner Jonathan Barfield, also a Democrat, and Republican Billy Craig.
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 Saffo’s answers:
Port City Daily: What makes you qualified for a seat on council and sets you apart from other candidates?
Bill Saffo: Experience matters. For nearly two decades I have worked with local, state, and federal partners to secure investments for infrastructure, housing, small businesses, and public safety. I have guided Wilmington through hurricanes, economic challenges, and rapid growth by bringing people together and delivering results.
What sets me apart is balance. I have supported affordable housing, reinvestment in older neighborhoods, and protection of green space while also helping our economy thrive. My record shows I can manage growth responsibly and keep Wilmington moving forward without losing sight of the community we all value.
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?
BS: We often focus on visible encampments or law enforcement but not enough on the lack of shelter beds and supportive housing in our community. Providers need more resources for caseworkers, recovery programs, and permanent supportive housing that pairs services with a stable roof overhead.
I supported the joint city and county strategy introduced in 2024 because it recognized that no single entity can solve this problem alone. Strategies are only as strong as the funding and execution behind them, and I support dedicating several million annually from the city budget tied to measurable outcomes like added shelter capacity, rehousing placements, and reductions in unsheltered homelessness. The county, state, and private partners must also do their part. We must address these issues through bipartisan cooperation and a true partnership between government and the private sector.
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?
BS: This is always a balancing act. Residents want to protect the character of our neighborhoods, but we also need more homes people can afford. The truth is that we cannot address the housing crisis without adding supply, but we can be thoughtful about where and how it happens.
I believe we can do both. We can keep density lower in established neighborhoods while focusing higher-density, mixed-use projects along major corridors and near job centers. At the same time, we must preserve and rehabilitate existing housing and encourage more “missing middle” options like duplexes and townhomes that fit more naturally into neighborhoods. This approach balances demand with livability.
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?
BS: Protecting green space and allowing development to move forward must go hand-in-hand. Preserving wetlands, rebuilding tree canopy, and investing in stormwater infrastructure are all essential if growth is to be sustainable.
Other cities in North Carolina have made progress with tree canopy ordinances, and Wilmington can do the same. Communities that have created stormwater parks and greenways have managed flooding while also creating public amenities. Development should respect our environment because protecting green space protects our long-term resilience and quality of life.
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?
BS: The Cape Fear Memorial Bridge is critical infrastructure for our region, and it must be replaced. The current price tag is high, and how to fund it is a serious debate. I do not believe a toll should be the first or only option because it would unfairly burden commuters and working families.
I am open to exploring a regional transit sales tax, but only if it is part of a broader package that voters understand and support. At the same time, the state has a responsibility here, since most of our major roadways are state-owned. I will continue pushing for state and federal dollars to ensure this project is funded in a fair and responsible way.
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?
BS: Traffic is one of the most common concerns I hear. Wilmington owns a small percentage of our roads, and most major arteries are controlled by the state. That means we need the state to move faster on long-delayed projects like interchanges and widening.
At the city level, we are maintaining the streets we own, improving intersections, and expanding sidewalks and bike paths. I also support expanding public transportation, especially regional routes that connect neighborhoods to job centers. A mix of better roads, stronger transit, and safer pedestrian infrastructure is the only way we will stay ahead of congestion.
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.
BS: With a new police chief starting this fall, I want to see continued focus on community policing, officer recruitment and retention, and building a sustainable workforce. That means competitive pay and benefits, mental health support, and ongoing training to ensure officers can serve effectively.
We also need to expand partnerships with mental health and addiction professionals so officers are not the only first responders on those calls. A balanced approach will strengthen public safety and build lasting trust between residents and law enforcement.
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?
BS: As Wilmington grows, our economy must provide opportunities for all. That means supporting small businesses, attracting diverse industries, and making sure wages keep pace with the cost of living.
The city cannot set wages directly, but we can create the conditions for good-paying jobs. That includes investing in infrastructure, supporting our ports and film industry, strengthening ties to UNCW and CFCC, and making sure our workforce has access to training opportunities. We must also keep housing affordable — because wages and housing costs go hand-in-hand when it comes to quality of life.
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?
BS: I do not agree that city council only represents a select few. Growth has not been felt equally across Wilmington and some neighborhoods feel left behind.
In a leadership role, my job is to make sure every community has a voice. That means listening carefully, meeting people where they are, and reporting back on what we hear. It also means continuing to create opportunities for residents from all backgrounds to participate and know they have a seat at the table. My goal is for every resident to know their concerns are part of the city’s agenda.
PCD: What is one other issue not discussed above that you have a plan to address if elected and how would you do so?
BS: One issue I will continue to focus on is stormwater and flood mitigation. Flooding affects every neighborhood, and it puts homes, businesses, schools, and roads at risk. We have already invested millions in projects like the Clear Run Branch improvements, and I want to continue scaling that work so our infrastructure is ready for the future.
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