IFN Staff

Former Statesville City Councilman Frederick Foster has announced his candidacy for an at-large council seat in the 2025 election.

A lifelong resident of Statesville, Foster said he is committed to fostering community growth, enhancing public safety, and ensuring equitable access to resources. Through his previous service on council, he explained that he has witnessed the city’s evolution and understands the unique challenges and opportunities it faces.

“As a former council member for Ward 6, I have driven positive growth, tackled abandoned housing, and expanded housing opportunities in South Statesville as well as spearheaded the Adopt-The-Street program city-wide for beautification efforts to increase community volunteerism efforts,” Foster said in his campaign announcement.

His 20 years of experience in public service and community engagement, Foster said, have prepared him to lead Statesville toward a brighter, more inclusive future.

“When I get back on council, my primary focus will be to ensure all departments, including our sanitation and fire departments, are treated fairly and receive fair wages across the board, so we don’t lose them to other major cities,” Foster said.

If he is elected, Foster said he will work to ensure that the north end of the city has a new fire station to cover the gaps in coverage and provide good fire protection.

Frederick said his campaign will focus on three main pillars:

♦ Community Growth: Developing programs and initiatives that promote economic development, improve infrastructure, and create job opportunities for all residents.

♦ Public Safety: Enhancing public safety by supporting local law enforcement, investing in community policing, and ensuring that first responders have the resources they need to keep Statesville’s neighborhoods safe.

♦ Equitable Access: Advocating for policies that ensure all residents have access to quality education, healthcare, and affordable housing, fostering an inclusive environment where everyone can succeed.

Two-at-large seats — currently held by councilmembers Kim Wasson and Steve Johnson — will be on the November 4 ballot. The top vote-getter will receive a four-year term and the runner-up will get a two-year term.

Foster is the first candidate to announce his intention to run for the at-large seats.

Candidate filing for the November election is in July.