Wake Forest Seeks Applicants to Fill Commissioner Vacancy

The Town of Wake Forest began accepting applications at 8 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 19 for a Board of Commissioners seat vacated when Ben Clapsaddle was sworn in as mayor on Dec. 16. Residents who are at least 21 years old and live inside the Town limits are eligible to apply. The application period runs through 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 14.

Applicants may complete the online form on the Town website. The application requires an essay of no more than 500 words explaining why the candidate wishes to serve on the Board of Commissioners and allows submission of up to five supporting documents. Residents without computer access can use a kiosk in the Town Hall lobby or request a printed application from Town Clerk Evelyn Wright by calling 919 435 9432.

Clapsaddle was elected to the Board of Commissioners in November 2023 and was elected mayor in November 2025. His swearing in left his commissioner seat with two years remaining in the term, which will expire in December 2027. The appointed candidate will take office immediately upon appointment and fill the unexpired term.

After the application window closes, the Board will review submissions, select a slate of candidates to interview, invite those candidates to appear before the Board, and then vote to appoint one person to the remainder of the term. That appointment will influence Board voting dynamics and policy choices on local priorities such as development policy, capital projects, and municipal services through the end of 2027.

For residents, the process is a direct opportunity to influence local governance without waiting for the next municipal election. Interested applicants and those seeking more information can contact Town Clerk Evelyn Wright at ewright@wakeforestnc.gov or 919 435 9432. The Town’s vacancy page on the official website provides the online application and additional procedural details.