Janet Cowell, a former state treasurer and longtime political player in Raleigh, will be the city's next mayor, taking over the position from outgoing Mayor Mary-Ann Baldwin. Why it matters: Cowell will be tasked with guiding Raleigh through a critical period of growth that has placed stress on the city's housing prices,

Janet Cowell won a five-way contest and will succeed two-term Raleigh mayor Mary-Ann Baldwin, who decided not to seek a third term.