Today’s headlines: Why did Clodfelter go negative in the mayoral primary?
Less than two weeks before the Democratic mayoral primary election, Dan Clodfelter’s campaign sent out two “negative” mailers about Jennifer Roberts, one on education and on the flawed 2011 revaluation.
Up until that point, the campaign had been positive. So what changed? Jim Morrill’s story in the Observer sheds some light on that.
According to the story, Clodfelter’s campaign team knew he was behind in the election and called a Florida pollster, David Beattie, about going negative. Not everyone was on board, but the mailers went out.
They didn’t seem to work. Clodfelter finished second in the primary and lost to Roberts in the runoff.
“I don’t think it moved the needle one bit,” Dan McCorkle, chief strategist for the mayor’s campaign, told the Observer. “It almost certainly didn’t pick up any votes for Clodfelter.”
LUKE RETURNS: He had to wait 30 days, but an independent doctor passed Carolina Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly through the NFL’s concussion protocol and he returned to practice Tuesday. He’s all set to play against Seattle on Sunday, his first game since Week 1. Welcome back, Luke.
Luke Kuechly to fan: "I'm feeling much better." pic.twitter.com/eXPFdv6i13
— Jonathan Jones (@jjones9) October 13, 2015
ICYMI, HBC: Steve Spurrier, the winningest coach in South Carolina football history, resigned Monday. The Gamecocks are 2-4 overall and 0-4 in the SEC. “It’s time for me to get out of the way and let somebody else have a go at it,” Spurrier said.
FULL VIDEO: 'It's time for me to get out of the way' – Spurrier resigns as USC coach http://t.co/roHzxdEGhV pic.twitter.com/3XbhcdyGB4
— GoGamecocks (@gogamecocks) October 13, 2015
That somebody else is interim head coach Shawn Elliott, offensive line coach and co-offensive coordinator.
CHAR-MECK SCHOOLS: CMS unveiled its plans for magnet programs Tuesday. Changes include:
– Ending magnet shuttle stops, which require families to get children to a central pickup and drop-off spot.
– Emphasis on career-themed programs, including law enforcement prep at Marie G. Davis Military/Leadership Academy, and carpentry, automotive and design/fabrication programs at Harding (teamed up with Berry).
– More magnet access in the suburbs, including adding a K-8 language magnet in the northern area of the county.
Also at Tuesday’s school board meeting: Superintendent Ann Clark was never named, but she was the subject of strong views about whether CMS needs leadership shakeup or stability.
Photos: Charlotte Observer file; T. Ortega Gaines/Charlotte Observer
This story was originally published October 13, 2015 at 9:00 PM with the headline "Today’s headlines: Why did Clodfelter go negative in the mayoral primary?."