"Veterans For America First has issued an endorsement for James Bledsoe in his candidacy for Raleigh City Council At Large. James Bledsoe has a record of accomplishments in military service. Bledsoe is a proven productive citizen and veteran" said David Draper Vice President VFAF NC Chapter and National Ambassador Veterans for America First.
RALEIGH, NC — James Bledsoe, a U.S. Army veteran and long-time Raleigh resident, is a candidate for a seat on the Raleigh City Council At-Large. With nearly two decades of public service and community involvement under his belt, Bledsoe is campaigning on a platform rooted in fiscal accountability, first-responder support, and bold housing reform. From Battlefield to Community Leadership Bledsoe’s journey began in Bowling Green, Kentucky, but his service to the country brought him to Raleigh in 2013. After enlisting in the U.S. Army in 2005, he served on active duty with a 15-month deployment to Afghanistan from 2007 to 2008. He continued his military service in the Army Reserve as a Combat Engineer, later deploying to Kuwait, Iraq, and Syria in 2019.
After relocating to North Carolina, Bledsoe bought his first home in Southeast Raleigh and became actively involved in local civic life. He served as president of his neighborhood homeowners association and played a leadership role in the Veterans Party of North Carolina. His commitment to civic engagement continued as he took on responsibilities in veteran organizations such as the VFW and American Legion. Bledsoe earned a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Strayer University in 2012, with minors in U.S. History and Computer Programming. As of 2023, he is continuing his education in Cyber Security at Wake Technical Community College. Campaign Platform: Safety, Housing, and Fiscal Discipline At the core of Bledsoe’s campaign are three key issues: public safety, affordable housing, and responsible government spending. He is a vocal advocate for Raleigh’s police and fire departments, calling attention to over 300 open positions and a rising violent crime rate. “If we can’t support our first responders, we are putting our community at risk,” Bledsoe says. He proposes increasing pay and benefits for police and firefighters by trimming wasteful city spending.
