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The balance of power on the Charlotte City Council tilted further into the Democratic column Tuesday, with three of the four at-large seats going to Democrats. Yet since the council was already 7-4 Democratic, going to 8-3 isn't likely to have a huge effect on city policy - especially as a couple of Democrats often vote with Republicans.
The bigger difference is likely to be felt with the switch to a Democratic mayor. Look for committee chairmanships, appointed by the mayor, to better reflect the majority party.
In unofficial vote totals, incumbent Democrat Susan Burgess led the at-large ticket. Running second was Patrick Cannon, who served 12 years on the council before dropping out unexpectedly during a mayoral race in 2005. Incumbent Republican Edwin Peacock was third, and Democratic newcomer David Howard was fourth.
Next, in order, were Republicans Tariq Scott Bokhari and Matthew Ridenhour, Democrat Darrin Rankin and Republican Jaye Rao. Libertarian Travis Wheat, who spent little money on his campaign, trailed the major party candidates.
While the stronger Democratic presence will obviously make a difference, another significant change in the council's operations and personality will be the absence of Republican at-large member John Lassiter, who ran unsuccessfully for mayor. Lassiter was a powerful presence on the council for the past six years, bringing a sharp intelligence, strong analytical skills and a wry sense of humor.
With voters choosing a Democrat for mayor, adding a Democrat to the at-large lineup and giving a thumbs down to three conservative Republicans running at-large, it's tempting to conclude that Tuesday's election was a rejection of the more extreme wing of the Republican Party. Candidates Bokhari and Ridenhour were organizers of the anti-tax Tea Party rallies earlier this year and had courted the party's conservatives. Peacock ran a more middle-of-the-road campaign, a strategy that paid off, despite some grumbling about his lack of conservative credentials from the right wing in his party.
Obviously, party plays a role in some council deliberations, most often during budget-related votes, when Democrats are more likely to support spending for community development and human services initiatives, and Republicans tend to want to focus more strictly on police and street-building. But in a good many municipal issues, such as rezonings and growth-management policy, party plays less of a role than other factors.
As was expected, in Republican-leaning Districts 6 and 7, the Republican incumbents made quick work of their Democratic challengers, both of whom are political newcomers. District 6's Andy Dulin won about 72 percent of the vote against Jane Bott Childrey, and District 7's Warren Cooksey took about 72 percent against Marc Friedland.
Representatives Patsy Kinsey in District 1, James Mitchell in District 2, Warren Turner in District 3, Michael Barnes in District 4 and Nancy Carter in District 5 - all Democrats - had no Republican opponents.
