A man wearing glasses and a white polo shirt smiling at the camera in a playground park with slides and trees in the background.
Two smiling men standing outdoors with greenery in the background. One man has glasses and is wearing a suit jacket over a light blue shirt. The other man has a mustache and is wearing a gray polo shirt with black accents.
Two men in suits shaking hands at an airport tarmac during nighttime, with cars and people in the background.

About jonathan lambert-melton

Jonathan Lambert-Melton has served as an At-Large member of the Raleigh City Council since 2019, when he was the first LGBTQ+ person elected in Raleigh.  He serves as the chair of the Economic Development and Innovation Committee and previously served as Raleigh Mayor Pro Tem. Jonathan is a dedicated public servant, community advocate, and effective problem-solver.


Wake County Roots & Community Leadership

Jonathan has built strong partnerships across Wake County — from supporting local businesses and educators to working with neighborhood leaders and first responders. His collaborative approach has earned him a reputation as a responsive public servant. Jonathan moved to Wake County in 2004 to attend NC State University. He obtained his law degree from NC Central School of law and is now a Board Certified Family Law Specialist and Certified Mediator. Prior to elected office, Jonathan started an LGBTQ nonprofit and served on the board of the Tammy Lynn Center (TLC).

EXPERIENCE THAT MATTERS

During his time on City Council, Jonathan has worked to modernize zoning, increase housing options, and promote responsible growth that keeps Raleigh vibrant and inclusive for everyone.  Through this work, he has built strong partnerships with local leaders and residents to ensure that Raleigh remains a great place to live, work, and raise a family. Jonathan worked closely with the Wake County Board of County Commissioners to enact a comprehensive nondiscrimination ordinance in Raleigh and Wake County, and to implement an alternative response unit to assist law enforcement officers in responding to calls concerning mental health and social service issues.  


Why he’s running

Jonathan now seeks to bring his experience and results-driven leadership to the Wake County Commission to expand affordable housing and public transportation, protect our environment and greenspaces, increase access to social services, and strengthen and support public education. Wake County is a great place to live and work- and it’s growing rapidly. Jonathan is running for Wake County Commission to continue the hard work required to keep us moving in the right direction.

Representation matters

There is presently no LGBTQ representation on the Wake County Commission. If elected, Jonathan will bring LGBTQ representation to North Carolina’s largest county government.