Fuquay-Varina voters will go to the polls Tuesday, Nov. 3, to choose a mayor and two members to serve on the board of commissioners.

Incumbents in all three positions are seeking to hold onto their seats. Challengers would like to take those seats.

John Byrne, who is completing his fourth term as mayor, is facing challenger Rob Gray. Gray, a resident since 2006, has focused much of his campaign on listening to residents who feel neglected by the government.

Byrne points to accomplishments during his tenure and believes he is in touch with his constituents. He said in one candidates’ forum, “I think just about everybody in town has my cell phone number.” The two candidates hoping to maintain their seats are Cindy Sheldon and Bill Harris. Harris has served 20 years on the board. He said in a recent forum he would work to sustain the quality of life in Fuquay-Varina and the town’s character. “I’m committed to building on the community legacy that we have,” he said.

Ms. Sheldon is completing her first four-year term as a commissioner. In a recent forum she said the important issues to her include low taxes, well-planned growth, improved transportation, a stronger economy, continued revitalization and safe neighborhoods.

Fuquay-Varina is positioned right now to maintain a strong, healthy tax base with strategic growth, she said.

The one challenger seeking a board seat is Jim Abernethy. Abernethy ran for the board two years ago as a write-in candidate and garnered 420 votes, just 59 fewer than the candidate who won a seat. This year he filed before the deadline and has run an active campaign.

Abernethy said at a forum, “I like to treat people with respect the way I would like to be treated.” He said he thinks the town needs quality growth development with a 60-40 split of residential to business and industrial development. He said soliciting new businesses would achieve a better balance. Christopher Wrenn, who filed for a seat on the board of commissioners, has since withdrawn from the race.

Polls open Tuesday at 6:30 a.m. and close at 7:30 p.m.