CHARLOTTE — Rob Harrington, president of the North Carolina Bar Association, was appointed interim mayor of Charlotte Monday night after two votes from the City Council.
He will serve the remainder of Mayor Vi Lyles’ current term, which she is vacating effective June 30.
Harrington’s appointment means he will lead the country’s 14th largest city for an 18-month period.
The City Council’s decision came after an initial ballot where no applicant received the required six votes, necessitating a second vote.
The appointment follows Mayor Vi Lyles’ decision to resign after serving four full terms, citing a desire to spend more time with her family.
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Harrington expressed his excitement about his new role, describing it as an important transition for the city.
“I think we got an 18-month bridge here that is really important,” Harrington said. “It is a bridge to the future. I am excited to be part of that bridge and channel the great energy you see in that room and move us forward.”
Harrington brings a background in leadership, having previously served as chair of the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library board of trustees and the Levine Museum of the New South. He also reflected on his qualifications for the position.
“I think we offered what we had to offer and that’s a record of leadership, a record of collaboration, a record of listening, and I think I bring those skills to bare,” Harrington said.
During the appointment process, the City Council had to choose between Harrington and civic leader Carrie Cook after no applicant secured enough votes on the first ballot. Harrington was ultimately selected.
City Council Member LaWana Slack-Mayfield, an At-Large member, shared her expectations for the interim mayor.
“I think he is going to be a good addition to helping bring Robert’s Rules of Order to the space as well as creating space for councilmembers to still share their own thoughts and not feel like their concerns or comments are going to be overlooked,” Slack-Mayfield said.
The City Council also took time during the meeting to recognize Vi Lyles’ contributions to Charlotte, providing her with a standing ovation, a street sign with her name on it and a picture of the Charlotte skyline.
Rob Harrington will officially be sworn in as interim mayor on July 1. He will serve until the current mayoral term expires in December 2027.
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