Early Start to Holly Springs Town Council and Mayor Election Season: What Voters Need to Know
Three individuals, one an incumbent, have already announced their candidacy for a seat on the town council.
Holly Springs, NC, May 16, 2025 — The 2025 municipal election cycle in Holly Springs started early this week. As of mid-May, three individuals have announced their candidacy for a seat on the town council: incumbent Town Council member Annie Drees (press release), and newcomers Joe Cuccurullo (press release) and Kara Foster (press release). All three have submitted campaign announcements to Holly Springs Update, and additional candidates for town council and mayor are expected to come forward in the coming weeks as the candidate filing period nears.
To keep residents informed and uphold a fair, transparent reporting standard, Holly Springs Update has released its 2025 Election Coverage Guidelines (document) outlining how the publication will cover the local races.
“We do not endorse candidates and aim to give readers the information they need to make informed decisions,” the guidelines state.
How Coverage Will Work
Only certified candidates, those verified by the Wake County Board of Elections, will be featured. Once certified, candidates will have equal opportunities to participate in the following:
Responding to an official Holly Springs Update questionnaire covering, among other topics, town growth, infrastructure, budgeting, transparency, education partnerships, and environmental sustainability.
Publishing an official campaign announcement (press release) up to 500 words, with a photo and contact information.
Submitting an optional one-time column (e.g., “Why I’m Running”) for publication.
Being included in Q&A articles or coverage of public events and forums, as deemed newsworthy.
All published content will be clearly labeled, and editorial standards will ensure no submission contains false claims or personal attacks. While Holly Springs Update may cover campaign forums and public appearances, it will do so based on community interest and news value, not as a guaranteed service to candidates.
Independent and Nonpartisan
Holly Springs Update emphasizes that it does not endorse, donate to, or volunteer for any campaign. All political content is produced independently and is not influenced by advertising, donations, or personal relationships. The publication does not currently accept political ads or campaign sponsorships.
Residents can expect a steady stream of coverage throughout the campaign season, including updates on new candidate filings, issue breakdowns, and opportunities to hear directly from those running for office.
The official coverage guidelines, which include how candidates can participate, are available here or by contacting Holly Springs Update at news@hollyspringsupdate.com.