Mo Idlibby cites legal experience in race for Charlotte City Council at-large seat
On the campaign trail, Mo Idlibby often focuses on his life story – and his love for Charlotte.
His parents left Syria shortly before he was born, and then struggled to make enough money in the United States.
“When they came from Syria, they were escaping violence,” Idlibby said. “My grandfather and uncles were murdered by the government. Charlotte is destiny for me. I watched my father sell food out of the back of his beat-up car. I understand that struggle, and I will never forget that.”
Idlibby, an immigration attorney, said his top issue is “equal rights for everyone.”
He said legal experience separates him from other candidates running for City Council at-large.
“I am the only candidate with the legal knowledge and legal experience to fight for the rights of all Charlotteans,” said Idlibby.
Idlibby served on the task force that recommended city IDs for undocumented immigrants, a proposal that he supports. And he is an adamant supporter of expanding the city’s non-discrimination ordinance to include gay, lesbian and transgender residents.
Idlibby said he would also work to improve education, and try and ensure that students have equal access to opportunity and high-quality facilities. He said he has been a high school referee and seen the disparity in facilities between low-income and high-income schools.
He is a product of Charlotte, having attended Hornets Nest Elementary, North Mecklenburg High and Davidson College. He was in the first graduating class of the Charlotte School of Law.
He loaned his campaign $100,000.
Steve Harrison
Biography
Age: 33
Hometown: Born in Columbus, Ohio; raised in Charlotte
Family: Wife, one daughter
Education: B.A. from Davidson College, J.D. from Charlotte School of Law
Occupation: Trial attorney
Political experience: Hasn’t held elected office; this is first time running.
Community work: Served on Immigrant Integration Task Force; served on National Board of Director of the Syrian-American Coalition; served on Latin American Coalition.
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 "Mo Idlibby cites legal experience in race for Charlotte City Council at-large seat."