Election 2025: Meet Wilmington City Council candidate Cassidy Santaguida
WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — The 2025 municipal election is underway, and Wilmington voters will soon decide who will serve as the city’s next mayor and council members.
To help voters learn more about where each candidate stands on key local issues, WWAY sent a questionnaire to all Wilmington City Council and mayoral candidates. The questions cover topics such as growth and development, public safety, housing, transportation, and transparency in government.
Not every candidate responded to our request. For those who did, we are publishing their responses in their entirety, to give voters a direct look at their priorities and perspectives before heading to the polls.
Personal & Background
1. Name
Cassidy Santaguida
2. Occupation / professional background
Former Public High School Teacher, Software Technologist & Leader for nearly two decades. Current Role: Software Product Manager, The N2 Company
3. Education
BA Biology, The University of Texas at Austin
4. How long have you lived in Wilmington?
My family moved to Wilmington in 2016
5. Have you previously held elected office or served on boards/committees in the community?
I currently serve on the New Hanover County Parks Conservancy board, and support a variety of community organizations and nonprofits. In 2024 I ran for New Hanover County Board of Commissioners.
Motivation & Priorities
6. Why are you running for Wilmington City Council?
I’m running for City Council because Wilmington is at a crossroads. Growth is happening quickly, and we need leaders who will ensure it’s sustainable, equitable, and benefits everyone, not just a few. My background and experience has taught me how to solve complex problems, bring people together, and focus on results. I believe Wilmington needs new voices and fresh ideas, and I’m ready to serve. I’m ready to bring clear priorities, and a collaborative spirit to the City Council.
7. What do you believe is the biggest challenge facing Wilmington right now?
Our biggest challenge is ensuring Wilmington grows sustainably while improving affordability for residents. That means aligning housing, infrastructure, and economic development so we don’t lose the character of our city to congestion, sprawl, and rising costs. Preserving Wilmington’s uniqueness isn’t about freezing it in time—it’s about making sure our growth enhances, rather than erodes, the quality of life that makes people want to live here in the first place
8. What will be your top three priorities?
Sustainable Growth: Align our needs for an affordable city, adequate infrastructure, and protecting our unique coastal environment.
Workforce Development: Ensure residents in our city have the career opportunities they deserve.
Transportation & Infrastructure: Invest in roads, transit, and alternative transportation options to reduce congestion and improve mobility.
City Issues
9. How should Wilmington address growth and development while preserving the character of existing neighborhoods?
When it comes to growth, our choice is whether it happens chaotically or intentionally. If we don’t plan, we all lose quality of life to traffic, rising housing costs, and overburdened systems. By planning well, and addressing current and future needs, we can both welcome new residents and protect what makes Wilmington special. It’s not about choosing between existing and future residents, it’s about building a city that works for all of us.
10. What is your position on affordable housing and how would you approach the issue?
Housing affordability is a pressing economic and community issue. When teachers, nurses, hospitality workers, and first responders can’t afford to live here, it affects every aspect of our community’s health and growth. I support increasing the supply of affordable units through smart development, infill and adaptive reuse, public-private partnerships, and prioritizing affordability in our land use plan. We must also protect existing affordable housing so we don’t just build new units, but we keep the ones we already have.
11. Public safety: What steps would you support to strengthen community policing, fire services, and emergency response?
Public safety is foundational. I support continued investment in properly staffing our police department and ensuring officers have the resources and training they need to build trust with neighborhoods. For fire and emergency services, we must also ensure adequate staffing, equipment, and response times to keep pace with growth. I also support expanding alternative response models for mental health and crisis calls to take pressure off law enforcement.
12. What role should the city play in addressing homelessness?
Homelessness is caused by a combination of housing costs, untreated mental health needs, addiction, and lack of shelter capacity. It is not a single-issue problem, which means solutions must be multi-faceted. In the short-term the city should continue to lead efforts to expand the number of low-barrier emergency shelter beds available in our community, and in the long term we need to continue to cultivate and grow public-private partnerships to expand both permanent supportive housing and affordable housing inventory in our community.
13. What are your views on transportation and infrastructure needs, including traffic congestion and public transit?
Traffic is one of the biggest frustrations I hear from residents. We can’t just build our way out of congestion with roads, we need a comprehensive transportation strategy. That means investing in public transit, better east-west connectivity, and smarter land use planning. I support improving pedestrian and bike infrastructure, modernizing intersections, and aligning development approvals with actual infrastructure capacity.
Leadership & Transparency
14. How will you ensure transparency and accountability in city government?
Transparency starts with accessible information and clear communication. I support improving public access to planning and budget information, and creating more opportunities for residents to give feedback early in the decision-making process. I will also make it a priority to not just cast votes, but publicly explain my positions.
15. If elected, how will you work with other council members who may not share your views?
Respect and collaboration are essential to governing well. I’ll focus on finding common ground where we can, listening with an open mind, and staying solutions-oriented. Even when we disagree, I’ll approach colleagues with respect and work to keep relationships constructive. We all share a responsibility to do what’s best for Wilmington, and that has to come before politics or personalities.
Final Thoughts
16. What makes you the best candidate to serve on Wilmington City Council?
I bring a unique mix of experience as a former teacher, a technology professional, and a parent. I know how to listen, problem-solve, and adapt. What sets me apart is that I’m not a career politician; I’m someone who has lived the challenges of working families and wants to make local government more responsive, transparent, and accountable.
I’ve seen firsthand what happens when growth outpaces planning, and I believe Wilmington can do better. I’m focused on practical solutions, not political games: investing in infrastructure, expanding affordable housing options, and protecting the character of our city while preparing for its future. I’ll work hard, listen closely, and lead with integrity.
