Laurence Bibbs cites ‘fresh perspective’ in bid for Charlotte City Council at-large seat
Laurence Bibbs has heard a familiar refrain since moving to Charlotte four years ago.
“It’s the same people running over and over again, and they’re pretty much doing what they want to do,” people tell him. Now Bibbs, 30, is running to represent those folks.
“I can bring a fresh new perspective,” he says. “I think I can help push Charlotte into the 21st Century.”
Bibbs has never run for office. Though he once interned for the mayor of Toledo, Ohio, his hometown, he hasn’t really been involved in politics.
He says the goal of his campaign is “to focus on the disenfranchised and the forgotten.”
He also wants the city to become a leader in the digital economy. “I feel we can grow this industry and actually make Charlotte the next Silicon Valley,” says Bibbs, a technical analyst for Carolinas HealthCare.
Bibbs prides himself on the fact that he’s raised no campaign money. Aside from his filing fee, he’s spent just $44.
“That’s one of the things I like to say – that I’m funding my own campaign,” he says.
Jim Morrill
Biography
Age: 30
Hometown: Toledo
Family: Married; two children
Occupation: Technical analyst for Carolinas HealthCare System.
Education: ITT technical institute, associate degree in computer science.
Politics: First run for office.
Meet the candidates in Charlotte’s at-large City Council primary
Read profiles of other Democrats vying to be the party’s three Charlotte City Council at-large nominees in Charlotte’s Sept. 15 primary. There is no Republican primary, with candidates Pablo Carvajal, John K. Powell Jr. and David Michael Rice appearing on the Nov. 3 ballot.
▪ Laurence Bibbs cites ‘fresh perspective’
▪ Darrell Bonapart advocates for east, west sides
▪ Bruce Clark to focus on economic mobility
▪ Julie Eiselt cites anti-crime efforts
▪ Claire Fallon pushes for public safety
▪ Sean Gautam cites civic experience
▪ Shawn Greeson focuses on environment, poverty
▪ Mo Idlibby cites legal experience
▪ Vi Lyles cites experience with city, council
▪ Billy Maddalon said LGBT vote spurred him to run
▪ James 'Smuggie' Mitchell to focus on sustainable neighborhoods
This story was originally published August 22, 2015 at 2:00 PM with the headline "Laurence Bibbs cites ‘fresh perspective’ in bid for Charlotte City Council at-large seat."