I’m nervous at the prospect of backwards progress in years to come. I think the key in this past election was the Wake Dem party endorsements. We need to figure out how urbanist candidates can get their ears.
Though, my glass half full take is that this council may still end up much better than the old one. I don’t think some of this stuff will be stuck forever. I’ve spoken with Harrison and Black personally, for example, and neither seem inherently anti-growth, but instead focused on environmental and racial justice, respectively. They’ve indicated to me that they understand/agree with my view that density == optional car-free mobility == environmental and social justice.
Maybe less willing than the most recent council, sure, but I’ve found many of them open to listening to – if not generally supportive of --urbanist principles.
But like I said, I think we need to be careful about where WCDP endorsements go next election cycle. It could get worse. Livable Raleigh seems to have some clout within the party.