Charlotte-Mecklenburg NAACP leader says a Black interim mayor must succeed Lyles
The leader of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg branch of the NAACP is calling for city leaders to choose a Black interim mayor to succeed outgoing Mayor Vi Lyles.
Lyles, who is a Black Democrat in her fifth term, announced last week she plans to resign from office June 30. The City Council has the power to appoint an interim mayor to finish out her term, which ends in December 2027. State statute says the appointee must live in Charlotte and be a registered member of the same political party as the outgoing mayor.
In a Monday Facebook post, the civil rights organization said it was “seriously disturbing for white folks to be lobbying” to be appointed “while Black representation is being undermined and stripped nationwide.”
“If the City Council votes a non- Black person in as interim Mayor again ... voters will hold you accountable next year,” the post said.
The post generated hundreds of comments debating whether race should be a factor in the decision.
Charlotte-Mecklenburg NAACP President Corine Mack told The Charlotte Observer she authored the post. She said it was inspired by concerns that redistricting across the country will affect Black representation in government and politics after an April U.S. Supreme Court decision weakened the Voting Rights Act. Leadership of the Congressional Black Caucus told NBC News this week redistricting nationwide could wipe out about a third of the group’s membership.
“We’re in a critical time,” Mack said.
Mack said the post was not directed at former Mayor Jennifer Roberts, who released a statement the same day offering herself as an interim appointee.
The NAACP doesn’t plan to endorse anyone for mayor, Mack said. But asked if there were any local leaders she’d like to see considered for the post, she suggested former Mayor and U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx.
