Winners of Charlotte Primary Elections held Tuesday September 12, 2017 include, Mayor for the City of Charlotte Nominees, Four Charlotte City Council At Large members, and several Charlotte City Council District members.
Charlotte Mayoral Nominees Democrat Mayor Pro-Tem Vi Lyles and Republican City Council Member Kenny Smith handily beat out their party opponents and will compete for the coveted title of Mayor for the City of Charlotte in the upcoming November 7, 2017 General Election. As both nominees exceeded the requirement for 40% of the vote, a run-off election slated for October 10 will not be necessary. The unofficial results reported by North Carolina State Board of Elections showing Mayor Pro-Tem Vi Lyles as the projected winner at 46%, Mayor Jennifer Roberts at 36%, and State Senator Joel Ford at 16% of the Democratic vote. Her Republican opponent, City Council Member, Kenny Smith, obliterated his competition with 88.63% of the vote over challengers Gary M. Dunn with 6.19%, and Kimberley Barnett with a nominal 5.18%.
Democrat Vi Lyles’ Charlotte Mayoral Nomination win is especially impressive, given the fact that she pushed past an incumbent Mayor and State Senator to confirm her nomination. This win for Vi Lyles is also seen as an upset. Not only was Vi Lyles up against two very well known political incumbents, but recent polls suggested current Mayor Jennifer Roberts would be the victor, with a sizable lead as recent as June. Lake Research Partners June 2017 polls had Mayor Roberts leading her Democratic opponents at 35% of the vote. Not far behind was Vi Lyles at 21%, and State Senator Joel Ford was maintaining a comfortable distance at 15%. In an ExpressYourselfBlog Article dated August 31, stressed “It’s still early and anybody’s gain to take at this time in the race”, referencing the June results. That statement certainly proved to be on point, and remains true for the Charlotte Mayoral General Election. The Mayoral race has just begun.
Additional winners in the Charlotte Primary Elections held Tuesday September 12, 2017, were the four Democratic offices for Charlotte City Council At Large, which were close races all the way down the line.
James (Smuggie) Mitchell, Jr. lead with 19.38% of the vote. Following were candidates Braxton Winston II at 17.03%, Julie Eiselt at 16.85%, and Dimple Ajmera just makes the cut at 13.30%.
Winners for various Charlotte City Council Districts 1,2,4, 5 and 6 can be found below.
Update September 17, 2017:
Charlotte City Council District District 5 is the only race in the Charlotte Primary Election held September 12, 2017, in which neither of the Candidates received over 40% of the vote required to declare a clear victory. As such, the Candidate with the lowest percentage, in this case Democrat Candidate Matt Newton who received 28.47% of the vote, can declare a ‘Run-off’ Election or a second chance if you will, to win the Charlotte City Council District 5 seat against his Democratic opponent Darrell Bonapart who received 34.53% of the vote.
Should Newton decide to declare a Run-Off, the election will be held October 10, 2017, with second attempt to declare a definitive winner. Check back with the North Carolina State Board Of Election for updates on ‘Early Voting’ opportunities for the Run-Off Election.
Congratulations to all.
General Election November 7, 2017
ExpressyourselfBlog, Creative Commentary
APPEAL TO VOTERS:
Resist the temptation to set on the sidelines. It is crucial that voters come out in support of their Nominee. The General and Primary are two totally different elections, as the General Election decides the next Mayor of Charlotte. Reach out to your Nominee’s campaign and ask what you can do to help, and bring your friends and family members along. Then activate your voice, and vote.
Creator, Tonya R
Image Sources: Ballotpedia, Candidate Social Media
Official Results Source: North Carolina State Board of Election.
