John Mullen, candidate for Town of Waxhaw Board of Commissioners, answers our questions
To help inform voters in the Nov. 4, 2025, election, this candidate questionnaire is available to be republished by local publications in North Carolina without any cost. Please consider subscribing to The Charlotte Observer to help make this coverage possible.
Name: John Mullen
Email: ElectJohnMullen@Gmail.com
Political party: Nonpartisan
Age: 39
Campaign website or social media page: www.electjohnmullen.com
Occupation: Director of Technical Services and Research
Education: Vocational
Have you run for and/or held elected office before? list previous offices sought and/or held): No.
Since 2010, Waxhaw has doubled in population. How do you plan to manage this growth while also ensuring the town remains one of the most desirable places to live in Union County?
Waxhaw’s rapid growth came fast and now it’s time to focus on infrastructure that eases traffic, supports commuters, and preserves our small-town charm. Future development should serve residents with nearby jobs and convenient retail. My focus is on balanced growth that keeps taxes in check, roads sustainable, and Waxhaw one of the most desirable places to live in Union County.
Amid rapid growth, what are your plans to improve road infrastructure around the town’s congested corridors?
Regional planners have been working on this for years, but state action takes time. Key projects like the Route 16 widening and the Highway 75 improvements will break ground during my term and significantly ease congestion. These are state-led, but I’ll continue advocating for Waxhaw’s needs, working hand and glove with the planners. All while making sure we maintain and improve what we already have.
Waxhaw is primarily comprised of single-family homes within masterplanned communities. What is your stance on mixed-use developments or higher density housing in the town?
Everyone deserves a place to live, but Waxhaw’s 93:7 residential to commercial ratio puts too much strain on taxpayers and infrastructure. While I support thoughtful housing diversity, high-density developments increase pressure on roads, utilities, and schools. We need balance with more commercial projects that offset costs and fewer projects that overburden what we have.
How will you collaborate with your fellow council members to make decisions and create policy in the best interest of Waxhaw residents?
This is where experience matters. I’ve spent my career building infrastructure through collaboration, not competition. In Waxhaw, local leadership should rise above partisan politics. We agree on more than we don’t; especially when it comes to safety, family values, and quality of life. I’ll work with others to find common ground and keep decision-making rooted in what’s best for our community.
What separates you from your opponents and makes you the best choice on November’s ballot?
What sets me apart is independent thinking and a commitment to serve, not group agendas. Last election, a slate called “The Wall” took three seats. Now, “Wall 2.0” aims to claim the rest. One track leadership limits progress and stifles diversity of thought. I’m not part of any block, I’m here to represent the people of Waxhaw with transparency, critical thinking, and real world experience.
This story was originally published October 15, 2025 at 5:40 PM.