In a significant reshuffle within the Wake County Board of Commissioners, members convened last night to elect Susan Evans as their new chair and welcomed Safiyah Jackson to fill the previously vacant commissioner seat for District 2. This leadership transition follows the departure of Matt Calabria, who resigned to accept a role in Gov. Josh Stein's office, as reported by Wake County's official news release.
Evans, who has a track record with the board since 2018 and secured re-election in both 2020 and 2024, takes the helm with a promise to drive progress in pivotal areas of public interest. "As a lifelong public servant, it is my honor to lead this dedicated group of elected officials, and together, we will continue to move Wake County forward," Evans stated on Wake County News. Her priorities include affordable housing, transit, public safety, and access to behavioral healthcare. Additionally, she contributes her expertise to several county initiatives including the Wake County Smart Start board and as a member of both the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization and the GoTriangle Board of Trustees.
Stepping into her new role, Commissioner Jackson brings to the table a vast experience from the public and nonprofit sectors with a focus on early childhood development. Jackson, endorsed by the Wake County Democratic Party and unanimously confirmed by the board, expressed enthusiasm for her appointment. "I am excited to join this dedicated group of leaders who are committed to building a high quality of life for all residents of Wake County," Jackson told Wake County News. She currently holds a strategic position with the North Carolina Partnership for Children and has a rich educational background poised to be instrumental in executing her new duties.
This leadership update draws Evans' term as chair to a close in December 2025. In her past role with the Wake County Public School System Board of Education from 2011 to 2016, Evans had also made significant contributions to education policy – experience that will likely inform her tenure as chair. Jackson, as a new addition to the Board of Commissioners, is expected to leverage her notable background in early childhood organizations to enrich the board's focus on this critical area.
