Interim Mayor Applicant finalists interview in front of council

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Five applicants vying to be the next mayor of Charlotte interviewed in front of city council Thursday afternoon. Each applicant spent 30 minutes on the hot seat answered pre-selected questions from councilmembers. The questions covered a variety of topics like 77 congestion, to challenges the city faces, to running effective meetings.

The city clerk drew names to pick the order of the interviews. Senator Caleb Theodros was first, Attorney Harold Cogdell was next followed by Councilman James Mitchell, then Attorney Robert Harrington with Carrie Cook last.

Caleb Theodros is a current senator representing District 41. If selected, he would have to give up his spot in the NC Legislature.

Harold Cogdell is a criminal defense attorney who previously served on Charlotte City Council and Mecklenburg County Commission as the chair.

Councilman James Mitchell is a current city councilman representing the city at-large. If selected, the city council would have to replace his at-large seat.

Robert Harrington is a business attorney who serves as president of the North Carolina Bar Association.

Carrie Cook is a non-profit leader and former Vice-President of development at the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond which covers Charlotte.

Council will vote on the interim mayor Monday. That person will need six votes to secure the spot. If the applicant fails to do so, there will be a runoff between the top two applicants until someone gets the votes. They would be the mayor until the end of 2027.