Charlotte has survived without the pinnacle position in local leadership for a day and a half. And we have at least another four days before the people who figure out what to do will start figuring out what to do. Mayor Pro Tem Michael Barnes is handling things until then, but that doesn’t mean he’s the new mayor.
The last time the position was open because of a resignation was when Anthony Foxx left for the transportation secretary gig. At that time, the council came together to place Patsy Kinsey in the role. But when council voted on her, three of the members didn’t even bother to show up. So why do they get to do it again?
And while Charlotte has a history of letting council pick the replacement mayor, that’s not how it’s done everywhere. In California, the city of San Diego held a special election to replace Bob Filner, who stepped down after a sex scandal.
If we look back at last years’ election in Charlotte, we know Edwin Peacock was the Republican who lost to Cannon. But so did Democrat James Mitchell, Jr. He lost during the primaries.
And if you have to figure there would be other people who want to run now. But we won’t know what’s going to happen until council starts to figure things out. So our Man on the Edge, Robert Wilder, is giving you an opportunity to let them know what you want. Should there be a special election?
