Latino candidate seeks to be the new mayor of Fayetteville

Freddie de la Cruz was born Nanakuli, Hawaii. He attended Spring Lake Jr. High, Pine Forest Senior High, and Fayetteville Technical Institute. He has a bachelor's degree in business administration from Campbell University. He is married to his wife, Venus Recod de la Cruz, and they have six children and 12 grandchildren.

Freddie is a retired Army Lieutenant Colonel and local business owner. He served in the U.S. Army for more than 32 years.

Freddie de la Cruz to run for Fayetteville, NC, mayor in 2025

Freddie previously ran for Fayetteville Mayor in 2022 and 2023 and for the North Carolina House District 44 seat in 2024 but did not win.

Calls for a state audit of Fayetteville's finances and contracts, citing concerns about a lack of oversight and accountability in city projects.

Proposes keeping tax rates stable, assessing financial gaps, and seeking public approval for specific tax increases to fund essential projects.

Proposes keeping tax rates stable, assessing financial gaps, and seeking public approval for specific tax increases to fund necessary projects.

Believes aligning tax policies with revenue neutrality would create a fairer system for all taxpayers.

Believes "aligning tax policies with revenue neutrality would create a fairer system for all taxpayers."

Believes economic development relies on attracting businesses that offer well-paying jobs and supports boosting the planning and zoning office, even if it means giving them raises and hiring more people.

Believes permitting and zoning officials should actively assist businesses instead of creating bureaucratic obstacles.

Wants to leverage Fayetteville's proximity to Fort Bragg to spur economic growth by exploring military contractor requirements and securing resources for infrastructure improvements through political connections.

Wants to leverage Fayetteville's proximity to Fort Bragg to spur economic growth by exploring military contractor options.

Supports expanding local business opportunities and aims to grow the tax base.

- Calls for a state audit of Fayetteville's finances and contracts, citing concerns about a lack of oversight and accountability in city projects.
- Proposes keeping tax rates stable, assessing financial gaps, and seeking public approval for specific tax increases to fund necessary projects.
- Believes "aligning tax policies with revenue neutrality would create a fairer system for all taxpayers."
- Believes economic development relies on attracting businesses that offer well-paying jobs and supports boosting the planning and zoning office, even if it means giving them raises and hiring more people.
- Believes permitting and zoning officials should actively assist businesses instead of creating bureaucratic obstacles.
- Wants to leverage Fayetteville's proximity to Fort Bragg to spur economic growth by exploring military contractor options.
- Supports expanding local business opportunities and aims to grow the tax base.

Economy

Supports improving public services, including making city buses more accessible.

- Supports improving public services, including making city buses more accessible.

Public Services

Housing & Urban Development

Believes Fayetteville has crime problems due to lack of leadership, low morale, and insufficient police patrols.

Believes Fayetteville has crime problems due to a lack of leadership, low morale, and insufficient police officers.

Plans to reduce juvenile crime by addressing root causes, such as reintroducing discipline in schools and alleviating economic stress on families.

Plans to reduce youth crime by addressing root causes, such as "discipline in schools" and decreasing economic stress on families.

Believes in replacing the Chief of Police with a leader who supports law enforcement officers in enforcing local laws.

- Believes Fayetteville has crime problems due to a lack of leadership, low morale, and insufficient police officers.
- Plans to reduce youth crime by addressing root causes, such as "discipline in schools" and decreasing economic stress on families.
- Supports increasing police presence.
- Believes in replacing the Chief of Police with a leader who supports law enforcement officers in enforcing local laws.

Public Safety

Plans to create an Efficient Shuttle Program (EST) for employees, students, people with disabilities, and seniors to improve transportation in Fayetteville.

Wants to fix Fayetteville's water system and improve roads.

- Plans to create an Efficient Shuttle Program (EST) for employees, students, people with disabilities, and seniors to improve transportation in Fayetteville.
- Wants to fix Fayetteville's water system and improve roads.

Transportation & Infrastructure

As of September 15, 2025, Freddie de la Cruz’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Education

Freddie de la Cruz

- The mayor leads the executive branch of local government, presiding over city council meetings, making sure city departments run smoothly, and providing services to citizens. 
- The mayor attends and runs City Council meetings, serving as an important leader for how local laws get set. These laws affect local services, such as Police, City Planning, Parks & Recreation, and Transportation.  
- The Mayor in some circumstances may vote to break a tie in council meetings. They do not have veto power.