FAYETTEVILLE, NC — The 2025 primary election results are in, marking a significant step toward shaping the city’s next term of leadership. According to official data, 14,200 ballots were cast, reflecting a voter turnout of 10.79 percent across Cumberland County precincts.
In the race for mayor, incumbent Mitch Colvin led the field with 6,754 votes, securing 47.61 percent of the total. Kathy Keefe Jensen followed with 2,569 votes (18.11 percent), while Mario “Be” Benavente earned 1,359 votes (9.58 percent). Other mayoral candidates included Tisha S. Waddell (996 votes), Freddie de la Cruz (945 votes), Paul A. Williams (737 votes), Courtney Banks-McLaughlin (706 votes), Clifton L. Johnson (63 votes), John Ashford (36 votes), and Nahlee Iris Smith (21 votes).
In City Council races, several districts produced decisive outcomes that will advance candidates to the November general election.
City Council District 01
Stephon Ferguson led with 462 votes (33.53 percent), followed by James L. Thomas III with 400 votes (29.03 percent). Jamie Davis received 372 votes (27.00 percent), and Theodore Melkoumov trailed with 144 votes (10.45 percent).
City Council District 02
Malik Davis emerged as the frontrunner with 1,077 votes (62.40 percent), followed by Gail Morsfesis with 406 votes (23.52 percent) and Joseph “Joey” Thames with 243 votes (14.08 percent).
City Council District 07
Brenda McNair earned a commanding lead with 1,017 votes (75.39 percent). Kathy A. Greggs received 205 votes (15.20 percent), followed by J’Kwan Fulmore with 60 votes (4.45 percent), Dwight France with 46 votes (3.41 percent), and Khalil Younger with 21 votes (1.56 percent).
City Council District 08
Shaun McMillan won 807 votes (73.50 percent), while Rodney E. Garvin received 223 votes (20.31 percent). Mahmoud A. “Travis” Hamed followed with 45 votes (4.10 percent), and Robbie Poole rounded out the field with 23 votes (2.09 percent).
City Council District 09
Deno Hondros led the district with 816 votes (60.44 percent). Joe McGee received 289 votes (21.41 percent), and Gary A. Hunt earned 245 votes (18.15 percent).
The general election is scheduled for November 4, 2025, when Fayetteville voters will make their final selections for mayor and city council representation.
Kres Thomas | FayToday News
