Meet Holly Raby Candidate for Mayor of New Bern

Holly Raby is from Chicago, Illinois. He has a bachelor's degree in biblical studies from the University of Mount Olive and a Master of Theological Studies from Regent University School of Divinity. He is married to his wife. They raised four sons and have 11 grandchildren together. Holly is a Senior Pastor at a church in New Bern, where he has been since 1999.

Holly previously worked as a contractor at Cherry Point and as a Federal Civil Service worker. He also served for twenty years as a U.S. Marine.

Holly Raby (Mayor of New Bern, North Carolina, candidate 2025 ...

Holly Raby's campaign for Mayor of New Bern is her first entry into politics. 

Believes New Bern's housing is growing, but economic and corporate development is stagnant.

Wants to see corporate development that preserves the city's nature and qualities while allowing families and businesses to thrive.

- Believes New Bern's housing is growing, but economic and corporate development is stagnant.
- Wants to see corporate development that preserves the city's nature and qualities while allowing families and businesses to thrive.

Economy

As of July 31, 2025, Holly Raby’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Public Services

Housing & Urban Development

Supports a collaborative approach to reducing violent crime, involving law enforcement, faith-based leaders, mental health services, and local business owners.

Supports a collaborative approach to reducing violent crime, involving police, religious leaders, mental health services, and local business owners.

- Supports a collaborative approach to reducing violent crime, involving police, religious leaders, mental health services, and local business owners.

Public Safety

Plans to address the city's drainage issues, which have not been prioritized for repair.

- Plans to address the city's drainage issues, which have not been prioritized for repair.

Transportation & Infrastructure

Education

Instagram

Holly Raby

Holly Raby is from New Bern, North Carolina. She has a bachelor of science in biblical studies from the University of Mount Olive and a master of theological studies from Regent University School of Divinity. She is married to her wife, who also served twenty years as a U.S. Marine, and together they raised four sons, three of whom are still actively serving in the military.

Holly is a Senior Pastor at a church in New Bern, where she has served for twenty-one years. She previously worked as a contractor at Cherry Point and as a Federal Civil Service worker.

As of July 31, 2025, Holly Raby did not have a website or any information online.

Holly Raby is from New Bern, North Carolina. She has a bachelor of science in biblical studies from the University of Mount Olive and a master of theological studies from Regent University School of Divinity. She is married to her wife, who also served twenty years as a U.S. Marine, and together they raised four sons, three of whom are still actively serving and one is retired. They have eleven grandchildren and one on the way. Holly has lived in New Bern since 1999. She attends the church she planted in 2004, where she has served as senior pastor for the past twenty-one years.

Supports collaboration between law enforcement, faith-based leaders, mental health services, and local business owners to address violent crime.

Holly Raby is from New Bern, North Carolina. She has a bachelor of science in biblical studies from the University of Mount Olive and a master of theological studies from Regent University School of Divinity. She is married to her wife, who also served twenty years as a U.S. Marine, and together they raised four sons, three of whom are still actively serving and one is retired. They have eleven grandchildren and one on the way. In 1997, their family transferred to Marine Corps Air Station, Cherry Point, North Carolina from Okinawa, Japan. They moved to New Bern in 1999 and decided to remain there because they fell in love with the city, its rich history, and the people.

Holly is a senior pastor at a church in New Bern, where she has served for twenty-one years. She previously worked as a contractor at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point and as a federal civil service worker. Before her civilian career, she served in the Marine Corps for twenty-eight years, rising from Private (E1) to Master Gunnery Sergeant (E9). 

Supports a collaborative approach to reducing violent crime, involving law enforcement, faith-based leaders, mental health services, and local businesses.

Supports collaboration between law enforcement, faith-based leaders, mental health services, and local businesses to address violent crime.

Holly Raby is from New Bern, North Carolina. She has a bachelor of science in biblical studies from the University of Mount Olive and a master of theological studies from Regent University School of Divinity. She is married to her wife, who also served twenty years as a U.S. Marine, and together they raised four sons, three of whom are still actively serving and one is retired. They have eleven grandchildren and one on the way. Holly has lived in New Bern since 1999. She attends the church she planted in 2004, where she serves as senior pastor.

Holly Raby is from Chicago, Illinois. She has a bachelor of science in biblical studies from the University of Mount Olive and a master of theological studies from Regent University School of Divinity. She is married to her wife, who also served in the U.S. Marine Corps, and together they raised four sons. They moved to New Bern in 1999 and have lived there since.

Wants to see corporate development that "does not minimize the nature and qualities of our city yet allows families (and other businesses) to thrive."

Supports community partnerships with law enforcement, faith leaders, mental health services, and local businesses to address violent crime.

- 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.