Cannon comeback bid falls way short (free version)
Full, succinct election results. Plus: Airport rendering of hidden lounge; Nonprofit tackles problem of leftover election signs; New images of Ballantyne 'bowl'; Ric Flair, 73, to re-enter the ring
Good morning! Today is Wednesday, May 18, 2022. You’re reading The Charlotte Ledger, an e-newsletter with local business-y news and insights for Charlotte, N.C.
Editor’s note: This is a shorter, free version of The Charlotte Ledger sent to people on our free sign-up list. The complete version for paying members went out 15 minutes ago. It included:
Our full and succinct analysis of yesterday’s election, with easy-to-read results from local races — and an emphasis on City Council, county commission and other Mecklenburg races that are often overshadowed.
The scoop on a rendering released by the airport this week that showed a new airline lounge that has not been announced — and what the airport says about it.
Details on a program by a local nonprofit to recycle all those election signs that are all over the place.
New images of what part the massive Ballantyne Reimagined project will look like. (That’s the one on the site of the old Ballantyne hotel golf course.)
Ledger members also received Tuesday’s Ways of Life obituaries newsletter, with a remembrance of Jim Warren, the executive director of the Carolina Raptor Center, who died last month of cancer. Staffers there called him “Big Bird” — because he was the boss and “because he was so fun and affectionate,” one employee told us.
Our members are also invited to join us to go see “Charlotte Squawks” on June 10 — and have access to tickets at 10% off.
Like a vintner who makes fine bottles of wine, The Ledger pursues quality, not quantity. But instead of fermented grapes, we distribute authoritative information — facts and research and relevant insights for Charlotte, from experienced local journalists. We disagree with the notion that bigger is better, and so do the 3,000 Charlotteans who receive our paid edition and enjoy robust and full-bodied local news from us.
Why not uncork a Ledger membership for yourself today? It’s just $9/month, or $99/year, which gives you full access to our articles, archives, monthly Charlotte rezoning summaries, event invitations and more. Details here.
It was a big night for local Democrats endorsed by the Black Political Caucus (except the former mayor)
◼️ Political comebacks for James Mitchell, LaWana Slack-Mayfield, Arthur Griffin
◼️ Attempts at higher office fall short for Larken Egleston, Jennifer De La Jara
◼️ Cannon finishes 6th out of 6
◼️ McCrory demolished by Budd for Senate; Cawthorn out
Former Mayor Patrick Cannon (right) finished sixth out of six for four City Council at-large slots. He was convicted of taking bribes in 2014 and was trying to mount a comeback, saying he loved his city and hoped for another chance to serve. (Photo by Cornell Watson/The Assembly)
By Tony Mecia and Cristina Bolling
Former Mayor Patrick Cannon’s attempt to revive his political career faltered on Tuesday, on what was otherwise a successful night for local candidates endorsed by the Black Political Caucus of Charlotte-Mecklenburg.
Cannon finished last among six candidates in the Democratic primary for an at-large City Council seat. Tuesday’s election followed a campaign in which Cannon hit themes of forgiveness and redemption following his 2014 conviction for taking bribes while in office.
But nearly all other candidates endorsed by the Black Political Caucus (BPC) won — in many cases easily, and even when rival candidates raised much more money. BPC-backed candidates won 8 of 10 City Council races, 4 out of 4 county commission races and the contests for sheriff and district attorney.
Although the general election for city races is July 26, Tuesday’s primary decides many races in Charlotte, because Republicans do not field candidates in every race.
A quick look at Tuesday’s results:
➡️ Mayor: Democratic incumbent Vi Lyles cruised to victory and will face Republican Stephanie de Sarachaga-Bilbao in July.
➡️ Charlotte City Council At-large: Incumbents Braxton Winston and Dimple Ajmera won in the Democratic at-large race, as did former council members James Mitchell and LaWana Slack-Mayfield. Council member Larken Egleston, who represents parts of uptown and close-in neighborhoods, will leave the council after losing Tuesday in an attempt for an at-large seat in a race where he was the top fundraiser. The four Democrats will face Republicans David Merrill, Charlie Mulligan, Carrie Olinski and Kyle Luebke. The last time a Republican was elected to a City Council at-large seat was in 2009.
➡️ Charlotte City Council districts: New faces on the council will be Danté Anderson, a technology executive who grew up in low-income housing and has degrees from MIT and Harvard Business School, who will take Egleston’s seat; and Marjorie Molina, a community volunteer who just finished a graduate management program at UNC Charlotte, who will represent the eastside. Anderson and Molina have no Republican opposition. Democratic incumbents Malcolm Graham, Victoria Watlington and Renee Johnson all won, and Democrat Stephanie Hand will face Republican incumbent Tariq Bokhari. Republican Ed Driggs has no opposition.
➡️ Board of county commissioners: Democratic incumbents Pat Cotham and Leigh Altman won in the at-large primary Tuesday, and former Charlotte-Mecklenburg school board chair Arthur Griffin also won. (Griffin served on the school board from 1988 to 2002.) Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Board of Education member Jennifer De La Jara was among three candidates who failed to get enough votes. In the District 2 Democratic primary, incumbent Vilma Leake was the top vote-getter, and in the District 6 Republican primary, Jeremy Brasch won.
➡️ Sheriff, District Attorney: Mecklenburg County Sheriff Garry McFadden won handily over two challengers in the Democratic primary, and he’ll remain sheriff for another four-year term because he faces no Republican challenger in the general election. Spencer Merriweather won another term as Mecklenburg County District Attorney, as there are no Republicans in the race.
➡️ U.S. House, U.S. Senate: U.S. Rep. Ted Budd won the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate over former Charlotte mayor and N.C. Gov. Pat McCrory. Budd will face Democratic nominee Cheri Beasley in November. Democrats Jeff Jackson and Alma Adams won their primaries for Charlotte-area House seats. U.S. Rep. Madison Cawthorn lost his bid for a second term to state Sen. Chuck Edwards in the 11th District Republican primary.
With election results on a screen in the background, Mayor Vi Lyles speaks to supporters on Tuesday night at Heist Brewery near Camp North End. Lyles won easily in Tuesday’s primary and is a heavy favorite to win a third term in July’s general election.
Here’s the breakdown:
Mayor
Democrat: Vi Lyles (84%), Lucille Puckett (7%)
Republican: Stephanie De Sarachaga-Bilbao (70%); M. Moustafa (30%)
Charlotte City Council
At-large (D): Braxton Winston (21%), Dimple Ajmera (19%), LaWana Slack-Mayfield (18%), James Mitchell (16%), Larken Egleston (14%), Patrick Cannon (12%)
At-large (R): David Merrill (24%), Charlie Mulligan (23%), Carrie Olinski (21%), Kyle Luebke (20%), David Michael Rice (13%)
District 1 (D): Danté Anderson (42%), Charlene Henderson (31%), Billy Maddalon (28%)
District 2 (D): Malcolm Graham (72%), Kendrick Cunningham (18%), Amar Johnson (9%)
District 3 (D): Victoria Watlington (54%), Tiawana Brown (46%)
District 4 (D): Renee Johnson (57%), Darlene Heater (24%), Cedric Dean (20%)
District 5 (D): Marjorie Molina (40%), Curtis Hayes (24%), Vinroy Reid (13%), Liz Milsaps Haigler (13%), Mark Vincent (9%)
District 6 (D): Stephanie Hand (54%), Rob Hillman (28%), Nancy Wiggins (18%)
Mecklenburg Commissioners
At-large (D): Pat Cotham (25%), Arthur Griffin (20%), Leigh Altman (18%), Yvette Townsend-Ingram (14%), Jennifer De La Jara (13%), Trina Boyd (10%)
District 2 (D): Vilma Leake (79%), Angela White Edwards (21%)
District 6 (R): Jeremy Brasch (51%), Desiree Zapata Miller (49%)
District Attorney
Democrat: Spencer Merriweather (71%), Tim Emry (29%)
Mecklenburg Sheriff
Democrat: Garry McFadden (51%), Gina Hicks (38%), Marquis Robinson (10%)
U.S. House
District 12 (D): Alma Adams (92%), John Sharkey (8%)
District 14 (R): Pat Harrigan (76%), Jonathan Simpson (24%)
District 14 (D): Jeff Jackson (86%), Ram Mammadov (14%)
U.S. Senate
Republican: Ted Budd (59%), Pat McCrory (25%)
Democrat: Cheri Beasley (81%), James Carr (4%)
(Sorry, for state legislative and judicial races, check out the State Board of Elections website)
Why not share The Ledger with a friend?
There’s a hidden airport lounge in new CLT construction rendering
Charlotte airport officials gave more details this week on the long-planned expansion of the A Concourse — including releasing a rendering that shows a new airport lounge that has not been announced.
Don’t trash leftover campaign signs, group says — bring them to Innovation Barn for ‘upcycling’
Local environmental sustainability organization Envision Charlotte is asking neatniks tempted to trash campaign signs lingering from yesterday’s election to instead bring them to the organization’s Innovation Barn, where they can get a new life.
New renderings of ‘The Bowl’ at Ballantyne Reimagined
Developer Northwood on Tuesday released new renderings of “The Bowl at Ballantyne,” the dining, residential and shopping district of the Ballantyne Reimagined mixed-use development that’s scheduled to open in 2023.
In brief
Concord poaches Charlotte NASCAR jobs: The city of Concord approved $341,000 in economic incentives to attract NASCAR’s video production division — work that is now done in Charlotte. The expansion would create 125 jobs … in Concord. (WBTV)
Charlotte is #3 girl name: Charlotte was the third most popular name for baby girls in the U.S. in 2021, the Social Security Administration said. That’s up a spot from 2020. (CNN)
TV news: Former WCNC reporter Hunter Sáenz has taken a new job at rival WSOC, he announced on social media this week.
From Belk to GameStop: Former Belk CEO Nir Patel, who was on the job for less than a year, took a new post as chief operating officer of GameStop, where he’s eligible for $3.4M in sign-on bonuses plus $35M in stock grants. (Retail Dive)
New SouthPark retailers: SouthPark Mall is adding five retail tenants: UNOde50 (“handcrafted Spanish jewelry”), Hive & Colony (“bespoke suit supplier”), Tag Heuer (“luxury Swiss watchmaker”), Blue Nile (online diamond jeweler) and Levis (“iconic American denim brand”). SouthPark has more than 150 stores and the additions are an “exciting next step in solidifying SouthPark as a luxury retail destination,” the mall’s marketing director said in a news release.
‘Nature Boy’ returns to the ring: Ric Flair, age 73, “will perform in one last match July 31” in Nashville, according to ESPN. “I’m going to walk that aisle one last time to prove once and for all that to be the Man, you’ve got to beat the Man,” Flair said in a statement. He has overcome several major health issues, including bowel surgery in 2017, which led to kidney failure and dialysis treatment. Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat, age 69, said he was approached about participating in the Flair match but declined. He has a little “arthritis in the shoulders and knees,” he said. (ESPN)
Programming note: Ledger editor Tony Mecia appears as a guest on 90.7 WFAE at 6:40 a.m. and 8:40 a.m. on Thursdays for a discussion of the week’s local business news in the station’s “BizWorthy” segment. Audio and transcripts are also available online.
Need to sign up for this e-newsletter? We offer a free version, as well as paid memberships for full access to all 4 of our local newsletters:
➡️ Opt in or out of different newsletters on your “My Account” page.
➡️ Learn more about The Charlotte Ledger
The Charlotte Ledger is a locally owned media company that delivers smart and essential news through e-newsletters and on a website. We strive for fairness and accuracy and will correct all known errors. The content reflects the independent editorial judgment of The Charlotte Ledger. Any advertising, paid marketing, or sponsored content will be clearly labeled.
Like what we are doing? Feel free to forward this along and to tell a friend.
Social media: On Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn.
Sponsorship information: email brie@cltledger.com.
Executive editor: Tony Mecia; Managing editor: Cristina Bolling; Contributing editor: Tim Whitmire, CXN Advisory; Contributing photographer/videographer: Kevin Young, The 5 and 2 Project