Editor’s note: This story is part of a series of profile stories on local candidates in the 2025 municipal elections, which will be published in the coming weeks leading up to Election Day.
ROWLAND — The mayor’s office and two seats on the Board of Commissioners are up for grabs in Rowland this fall. Mayor Robert McDougald is running for reelection, as is Commissioner Jackie Alford Davis, while James Kelly looks to also join the town board.
Below is a brief profile of all three candidates.
Robert McDougald
Robert McDougald is running for his third term as the mayor of Rowland. During his time as mayor, McDougald has worked on a range of projects aimed at improving the town, including securing several grants to revitalize rural areas and modernize outdated infrastructure.
“Rowland has an aging infrastructure that probably hasn’t been replaced in earnest since the ‘50s or ‘60s,” McDougald said, “so it’s long overdue. We’ve got projects going on right now to replace all of the water mains, and we’re placing new sewer lines, repaving the roads, and completely renovating our lagoon wastewater treatment plan.”
McDougald estimated that, during his tenure as mayor, approximately $30 million was invested in the town of Rowland.
“We started the programs that we have now with the rebuilding of the infrastructure,” McDougald said, “and we’re completely remodeling our public housing development here.”
Jackie Alford Davis
Jackie Alford Davis is the current mayor pro tem and commissioner for the town of Rowland.
Since moving to the Rowland area several years ago, Davis has worked as a public servant in many capacities to assist in bettering the community. Alongside her work as mayor pro tem and commissioner, Davis serves as UNC Pembroke’s director of health and wellness.
Davis’s main goal for her time on the board of commissioners is to aid in the revitalization of the downtown area, creating more opportunities for the community’s youth.
While there are some opportunities in the area, Davis said she feels that Rowland has been unable to bring them closer to home for its citizens.
“It’s been a struggle to capture grant opportunities, financial support, locally and statewide,” Davis said, “and I just want to make the town better than it is right now and make a difference in the lives of the people here. They want the best for their children and grandchildren, and that’s my focus: trying to make sure that I can assist in providing for and meeting the needs of the citizens of Rowland.”
James Kelly
James Kelly is running for a seat on the Board of Commissioners. Kelly previously ran unsuccessfully for the board in 2021.
Attempts by The Robesonian to reach Kelly for this story were unsuccessful.
Reach Victoria Sanderson by email at [email protected]