This is pretty funny. The Charlotte Observer puts out something called “The inaugural Mayoral Power Rankings” of possible candidates to be mayor of Charlotte yesterday and then had to update it today because of the newspaper’s own news reports… oh, and it’s still outdated by other news.
In case you’re wondering, the original version of the list included Ruth Samuelson, who’s likely to stay in the state House and run for Speaker next session, and had Jennifer Roberts, who says she isn’t running but would serve as an interim mayor if appointed, higher up the list. The current version has her ranked 10th.
The political environment surrounding the race has dramatically change today with Mel Watt’s appointment to head the Federal Housing Finance Agency. Which is to say that the 12th Congressional District will be open. So for the city’s prominent African-American politicians the choice will be whether to run for Congress or mayor, both or neither. Running for both is probably the least likely option, as it’s the most costly. So, yes what will current Charlotte City Council members Patrick Cannon (ranked number 5th on the UPoR’s list), Michael Barnes (7th), David Howard (8th), and especially State Sen. Malcolm Graham (1st) do now?
The mayoral race remains extremely tempting for sitting Democratic state legislators as it’s not a whole lot of fun being in the minority party in the General Assembly but, in any case, who don’t have have to give up your legislative seat to run for mayor. Likewise, sitting city council members don’t have to give up their seat to run for Congress next year.
So, yes, interesting political times ahead. Or at least interesting until we get through filing season in July. We may have a very interesting Democratic primary — or not. Not sure who, if anyone, will run against Edwin Peacock on the Republican side.
