It’s Election Day in North Carolina. Hundreds of people from across the state will participate in today’s “off-year” municipal elections. The two most interesting contests are described below.
Charlotte Mayor
Former City Council member Edwin Peacock (R) is the kind of candidate who would have run very well in the city just a decade ago. But Charlotte’s demographics are increasingly unfriendly to Republicans, such that any Democrat has a pretty strong advantage starting out.
Thus, Jennifer Roberts (D) has run a low-risk campaign. She’s been been panned for focusing on issues like education and women’s rights that are far beyond the purview of Charlotte’s mayor, and her leadership has come under fire (losing her the endorsement of the Charlotte Observer). Polls show it’s unlikely to matter, with Roberts holding a wide lead over Peacock.
On the ground, though, things look much more promising for the Republican. Democrats are still divided after their bitter primary. Democratic turnout in early voting looks lethargic while Republicans are turning out in force, and black turnout is well down from ’13 levels. Chance of an upset? Absolutely. But it’s probably a safer bet that Peacock won’t be crowing tonight.
Raleigh City Council District A
“Cousin Eddie” Woodhouse (relative to political operative siblings Dallas and Brad Woodhouse) is the Republicans’ last shot at keeping one of their own on the City Council, after Wayne Maiorano chose not to seek reelection and longtime incumbent John Odom was defeated in an upset.
The GOP is going all-out for Woodhouse, and he’s lined up a bunch of big name endorsements, including from Wake County Sheriff Donnie Harrison, Congressman George Holding, and Senator Richard Burr. Part of his campaign message is about keeping Raleigh from becoming a sanctuary city. He’ll face Dickie Thompson, chair of the RDU Airport Authority Board. Thompson promises to be a strong ally of Mayor Nancy McFarlane and has been endorsed by former mayor Charles Meeker.
Last month’s results might be an indication of who has the advantage in this race. Then, Thompson led Woodhouse by 57 votes despite the Democrats being split between two candidates. But the makeup of the voters this time around could be completely different. Turnout will be very low, and the result will probably be close.
John Wynne is the “conservative voice” at PoliticsNC, where he also provides polling analysis and commentary on legislative campaigns. When not writing about politics, he enjoys gardening and listening to opera. Contact: johncwynne@gmail.com.
In yesterday’s vote, Democrat Jennifer Roberts as expected did take the mayoral race in Charlotte, home base of Gov. Pat “Fat Cat” McCrory.
A Democrat also ran away with the mayoral race in Durham, and in liberal Asheville three Progressive Democrats won new seats on the Asheville City Council, including a proponent of marijuana legalization, a black community activist and an environmental activist.
In Chapel Hill, incumbent Mayor Mark Kleinschmidt was upset by former Orange County Commissioner Pam Hemminger, who campaigned for slower development and more efficient government. Two incumbent Chapel Hill Council members, including young Lee Storrow, also were swept out of office.
A Republican’t was reelected mayor in Fayetteville, by a 52%-48% margin, but only after outspending his Dem rival eight to one.