GOP’s Peacock Struts to General

by | Sep 16, 2015 | Carolina Strategic Analysis, Democrats, Features, NC Politics, NCGOP

The results are in for the Charlotte mayoral primaries. As a result of last night, the GOP’s chances of taking back the mayoralty increased ever-so-slightly.

For the Democrats, former Mecklenburg County Commission Chair Jennifer Roberts failed to break the 40% threshold to avoid a runoff. The outcome of that race will be determined next month in a runoff between Roberts and incumbent mayor Dan Clodfelter. A poll a couple weeks ago found Roberts just short of 40%, so it appears she lost some momentum late in the campaign.

On the Republican side, former City Council member Edwin Peacock coasted to victory over businessman Scott Stone, winning about two-thirds of the vote. A moderate, Peacock would probably have been the stronger nominee and the GOP got what they wanted here. Hopefully he has saved enough campaign cash to immediately start going on television, casting himself as a new direction for Charlotte while the Democrats duke it out.

The GOP should hope for a nasty runoff on the Democratic side. Although they probably would have preferred if the second slot had gone to David Howard, a black City Council member, a Roberts-Clodfelter race has the potential to be divisive. The big question will be where the black vote goes. Black candidates received 38% of the vote, totaling more than either of the top two candidates, so winning their support will be crucial.

Right now the most likely scenario remains a Roberts win in the runoff, and the Republicans falling short on the night of the general election. But Roberts’ failure to avoid a runoff gives them an opportunity. If they take advantage of it, Charlotte might just elect its first GOP mayor since Pat McCrory.

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