Lessons from Running for Local Office: Be Fearless About Relationship Building, Says Mayor Alex Joyner

Alex Joyner, an alum of NC League of Conservation Voters Foundation’s Boards and Commissions Fellowship, was elected mayor of Farmville, North Carolina in 2025. His successful run marked Alex’s unexpected journey to local office as an unexpected candidate.

Having spent most of his adult life in Boston, Alex returned to his home state of North Carolina to be closer to his parents.

He did not return with the goal of running for office. But while serving the community through Meals on Wheels, he discovered the vast inequality in his town. It spurred him to want to change things in Farmville.

“South Farmville is the Black part of town, and there I saw abandoned houses, potholes, streets in disrepair, and seeing how people were living really affected me. The worst part was hearing people say repeatedly that no one cares about them in city government,” said Alex.

Another catalyst for Alex was learning about the financial mismanagement of the previous administration and the resulting real estate boondoggles.

Alex planned to run for one of the two council seats up for election in the fall of 2025. Then, local party leaders approached him about running for mayor instead. It was a big ask, because his opponent was an 18-year incumbent who always ran unopposed. But after talking with friends in the community, Alex realized he had a lot of support. He filed at the last minute to run.

Running against a long-serving mayor, Alex’s biggest challenge was building name recognition.  He relied heavily on a creative social media campaign, as well as a lot of door knocking.

However, his campaign disrupted the status quo in Farmville. As a gay man in a conservative community, Alex encountered people upset with his run for office. “It was an ugly campaign, with a lot of homophobic slurs,” remarked Alex.

But ultimately, Alex won the race. Another alumnus of the fellowship program in North Carolina, Jeffrey Fields, was elected to the city council. With their elections, plus one other new person on the council, they have a majority to advance change in Farmville.

Alex’s experience with the NCLCVF Boards and Commissions Fellowship helped him adapt to elected office. “Through the fellowship, I was able to build a network of subject matter experts,” said Alex. “I also learned about public meeting laws and the ethics rules, and I got more comfortable asking questions.”

A challenge has been building relationships with people who aren’t aligned with his vision and values, including some of the city’s staff. His election shook many people who believed that the old families and their money could still control politics in Farmville.

“I get out into the community as much as I can, to show that I am listening, and so people can see who I am,” said Alex.

Alex’s first priorities are to address racial disparities in the city’s infrastructure, and to include a broader range of voices in city decision-making. He would also like to establish an inclement weather shelter for the unhoused population.

After the previous administration refused to address significant audit findings, and launched capital projects without a funding source to complete them, there is also a need to rebuild trust in the government.

“There has never been long-term planning in Farmville, so that is another big challenge,” said Alex.

Alex’s advice for those thinking about running for office is to focus on relationship building in their communities.

“I spent a lot of time in the community volunteering. You have to put in the energy to build relationships, plant seeds and come back and water them on a regular basis. Then when you need them, they have bloomed and are there for you. You can’t take those relationships for granted; be fearless about relationship building.”

Learn more about LCVEF’s Boards and Commissions Fellowship program with our state leagues.