LaWana Mayfield won't be able to run against State Senator Joel Ford

CHARLOTTE — Charlotte City Councilmember LaWana Mayfield will not be able to run against State Senator Joel Ford in the Democratic primary in 2018 because a court decision Friday means her district has changed.

Federal judges have approved North Carolina legislative districts redrawn by an expert they hired to address their concerns about continued racial bias with some boundaries and new constitutional violations.

The three-judge panel signed off Friday on changes made by a Stanford University law professor appointed as a special master. The changes to two dozen House and Senate districts would be used in this fall's elections.

The court brought in the expert to redo maps approved last summer by the Republican-controlled General Assembly after the same judges ruled districts initially approved in 2011 were illegal racial gerrymanders.

GOP legislative leaders say the maps approved in August were lawful and criticized the judges for hiring the special master. They have said they plan to appeal Friday's decision to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Councilmember Mayfield’s west Charlotte home is located in precinct 23. Currently precinct 23 is located in Senator Joel Ford’s district 38. Under the new map, precinct 23 is in district 37. District 37 is represented by State Senator Jeff Jackson.

Mecklenburg County Board of Elections Director Michael Dickerson said the decision means she will have to run in her new district. According to the North Carolina Constitution Mayfield would have to live in the new district 38 for a year before being eligible to run in the new district. Dickerson says it is highly unlikely this requirement would be able to be waived.

Councilmember Mayfield declined Channel 9’s interview request. Before Friday's announcement,  Campaign Manager Kamaria Lawrence declined to say whether Mayfield would run against Senator Jeff Jackson.

State Senator Joel Ford’s district is likely going to be one of the most closely watched primary races in the state. Senator Ford ran to be mayor of Charlotte in 2017 but came in third in the Democratic primary and didn’t win any precincts.

In addition to Mayfield, Democratic Charlotte attorney Mujtaba Mohammed announced he is running for the seat.

Cox Media Group