The “Best” City Council Money Can Buy.
First we “Showed You the Money.” Then we “Followed the Money.” In this third of our series about the money in Raleigh’s politics, we examine the effects of Special Interest money pouring into the campaigns.
Follow the Money 2019
As a follow-up to Livable Raleigh’s previous blog, “Show Me the Money”, about the development community money spent in the 2019 City Council election, this time we look at the specifics for individual Councilors.
Patrick Buffkin – Rejected in Landslide
Raleigh City Councilor Patrick Buffkin asked the voters who know him best to promote him to a seat in the NC Senate. Their answer was a resounding NO! The Tuesday, May 17th primary was the first electoral test for a sitting member of Raleigh’s City Council and...
In the Senate District 13 Democratic primary campaign, Patrick Buffkin stands out. In a bad way.
Livable Raleigh is not making endorsements in state legislative primaries. But we’re tempted in the N.C. Senate District 13 Democratic race. One of the candidates, Lisa Grafstein, is someone we know only by reputation, but it’s a stellar reputation. The other...
Triangle Apartment Association celebrates rising rents after spending big to elect Baldwin & her Council Sycophants
The Triangle Apartment Association (TAA) was a major funding source for Mayor Baldwin and her City Council majority investing over $121,000 in their 2019 campaigns. Now TAA is celebrating a 35% increase in rents, most of which occurred under the leadership of this...
Raleigh Mayor and Councilors take campaign cash from anti-LGBTQ bigot.
NC Lt. Gov Mark Robinson is an embarrassment to our state. His anti-LGBTQ+ comments and anti-Semitic comments seem designed to fan flames of hatred and sow divisiveness. One of his biggest financial supporters, developer John Kane, is also a favorite of many on...
Buffkin Pushes Alternative Facts
Councilor Buffkin says Raleigh’s new district maps were created in public view and with public input. Nothing could be further from the truth. Councilor Buffkin sent out a newsletter making this claim: “the Council’s decision marked a momentous...
Buffkin says Raleigh’s rezoning process is broken
On Nov 2, 2021, in a 5-3 vote, Raleigh’s City Council approved a contentious zoning case, Z-53-20, located on Lead Mine Road. In a statement, remarkable for its total lack of self awareness, Councilor Partick Buffkin, District A, who represents the affected...
Buffkin’s COVID Grandstanding Puts Public Health at Risk
It was announced on social media Wednesday, August 11th, that the Raleigh City Council was returning to virtual meetings as a safety precaution against the spread of the COVID-19 virus. Not long after, District A Councilor Patrick Buffkin criticized the decision on...