Charlotte interim mayor candidates give final pitches to council before Monday vote
Five interim mayor finalists fielded questions from the Charlotte City Council Thursday about how they would manage America’s 14th-largest city through public safety, housing affordability and transportation policy.
It was a final chance for the five to convince the council they are best-suited to lead Charlotte for the next year and a half. Outgoing Mayor Vi Lyles has announced her intent to resign by June 30 or whenever the council decides on her replacement. Her current term runs into December 2027.
Finalist candidates include:
- Incumbent Charlotte City Councilman James Mitchell
- State Sen. Caleb Theodros
- Attorney and N.C. Bar Association President Robert Harrington
- Civic Leader Carrie Cook
- Former Councilman Harold Cogdell
Council members plan to cast one vote for their preferred candidate on Monday. If there’s no clear winner, the top two candidates will advance to a runoff election. Council members also voiced a need for a public forum Monday about the interim mayor finalists before the vote.
Here’s what to know about Friday’s forum:
New city manager, too?
In an unexpected question, Councilwoman Dimple Ajmera asked finalists how they would approach the selection of key city officials, including the city manager and city clerk. Ajmera later clarified the question was hypothetical and did not signal any planned leadership changes.
All five candidates focused on ensuring the person selected is properly qualified and prepared for the position and that there wouldn’t be friction between roles like the city manager and City Council. “Before you start the search, you need to know exactly what success looks like.” Theodros said.
What is Charlotte’s biggest challenge?
When it comes to the challenges of Charlotte, all five candidates said Charlotte has a fundamental problem of leaders not working together, including creating a common consensus. Mitchell said public safety is a bottom-line issue for residents and a reason why people decide to even migrate to Charlotte in the first place. “I think we heard loud and clear that this community does not feel safe. And so if that’s your perception, it becomes your reality,” Mitchell said. “Public safety touches economic development. It touches our neighborhoods. It’s a selling card that people say, ‘I want to move to Charlotte because it’s safe.’” Cook talked about the challenges and opportunities associated with affordability and the city’s growth. “The biggest issue, and I’ve also reframed it as the biggest opportunity facing our city, is that we’re a world-class city, and the secret is out,” Cook said. “We’re growing. So balancing that growth in a way that provides shared prosperity for all of our residents.”
All five candidates said improving the communication of city hall with both the state government and residents would help alleviate most of Charlotte’s biggest issues, including transportation and city management.
“I don’t think there are specific policy problems that the City Council can’t solve. I think the biggest challenge facing the city right now is whether this body can work cohesively on the same goals,” Theodros said.
Candidates call for further input on I-77 South Toll Plans
Candidates fielded questions about Interstate 77 toll plans, which have been halted after a regional board revoked its support. Neighborhood effects, including people being forced from their homes, ranked high on the list of complaints from residents before toll plans were halted.
Mitchell said public trust was harmed due to a lack of input from average citizens. Mitchell said residents were not fully aware of potential impacts, and he encouraged talking to Charlotte’s residents about on where the city should go next.
“We do have an I-77 traffic problem. How we solve it is going to have to be a collaboration of this community, this City Council and NCDOT,” Mitchell said.
Theodros, Cogdell and Harrington said stakeholders and citizens need to be involved in the process of helping address congestion. Harrington said solving the problem would require an all-hands effort between leaders, state officials and residents.
“Communication is vital. I think finding a way to reengage in the process of developing solutions is important,” Harrington said.
Cook argued that the future solutions need to balance mobility needs and quality of life. She said a decision about I-77 needs to benefit people who live in Charlotte and doesn’t harm them long term.
“I’m firmly supportive of making sure our neighborhoods have connectivity, making sure folks can continue to enjoy the neighborhoods that they built, but also balancing that with our growth demands,” Cook said.
