James Mitchell backs Jessica Davis for vacant Charlotte City Council seat

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Former Charlotte City Councilman James Mitchell tells Eyewitness News Reporter Joe Bruno he is recommending Jessica Davis to replace him in the vacant At Large seat.

Davis, a former District 2 candidate, is one of more than 100 people who applied to fill the seat.

Mitchell shared his recommendation to councilmembers and Mayor Vi Lyles through email.

“Jessica has an understanding of how city government works. Jessica is a team player and passionate about helping to improve the lives of our citizens,” Mitchell wrote. “If Jessica is fortunate to receive your vote, I’m confident she will be 100% committed.”

Historically council has appointed the person the outgoing member recommends. Malcolm Graham recommended Greg Phipps, Patsy Kinsey recommended Billy Maddalon, John Autry recommended Dimple Ajmera and Al Austin recommended Carlenia Ivory.

Another person remaining in contention is former Councilman Greg Phipps, per sources. Phipps is seen as someone who can hit the ground running immediately due to his past council experience. Additionally, Phipps has no desire to run for the seat.

Charlotte City Councilmembers will make their selection on Monday.

Here’s a statement from Davis:

”I am humbled by the endorsement and support from Councilman Mitchell. It means a lot to me. I also know that Councilman Mitchell does not have a vote. I remain hopeful that my application, coupled with my work as a community advocate, and comments offered during yesterday’s public forum earned favor with Council to secure enough votes for the appointment on Monday.”

Dozens of at-large applicants make case to Charlotte City Council

For more than three hours, dozens of at-large applicants made their case to Charlotte City Council to be the next representative. Charlotte City Council is currently reviewing applications of more than 100 people interested in serving the remainder of James Mitchell’s term. During a public forum Friday, 68 people addressed the council.

“I did not apply to this position to satisfy my own agenda; I applied for this position to serve,” applicant Jessica Davis said.

“I would work with the budget process every meeting to make sure we don’t leave any of our neighbors behind due to COVID-19,” applicant Rebekah Whilden said.

Charlotte City Council will appoint a new member on Monday. It will take six votes to make it to the dais. If no applicant receives six votes after one round of voting, a rundown between the top two candidates will occur. Mayor Vi Lyles can break a tie.

In 2005, Mayor Pat McCrory broke a tie, selecting Greg Phipps to serve the remainder of Malcolm Graham’s term because Graham endorsed Phipps.

It is unconstitutional for council to prohibit the person appointed from running for the seat. But some councilmembers said they will consider a person’s desire to run for seat. A few applicants mentioned their disinterested in seeking the seat if appointed.

“I promise I will continue to take a stand for equity, fairness and compassion,” Ryan McGill said. “I also give my word not to run for a City Council seat in 2021.”

Staring down a budget process and no shortage of major issues, the new councilmember will have to adapt quickly.

“I am not a politician,” Larry Mims, also known as No Limit Larry, said during his speech. “I feel like 65% of the residents in this city feel like politicians are out of touch.”

“You can count on me to be prepared for the role, to be a collaborative colleague, to remain focused on the will of the community, to protect the integrity of the role of government,” applicant Bruce Clark said.

Participating in the public forum was not a requirement to be appointed to the seat. Former Charlotte City Councilman Greg Phipps did not participate in the public forum, but did apply for the seat.

143 candidates apply for vacant Charlotte City Council at-large seat, 40 deemed ineligible

143 candidates apply for vacant Charlotte City Council at-large seat, 40 deemed ineligible

The City Clerk’s office on Wednesday released the list of names on every application that was submitted for the vacant at-large City Council seat before the 5 p.m. deadline on Tuesday, Jan. 26.

A total of 143 people applied to serve the remainder of the 2019-2021 term, which ends on Dec. 6, 2021.

On Thursday, officials said 40 of the 143 applicants were deemed ineligible by the City Clerk’s office. Of the ineligible applicants, 29 applicants are registered as unaffiliated voters, five applicants live outside of Charlotte, three applicants are registered as Republican voters, one applicant is not registered to vote, one applicant submitted an incomplete application, and one applicant submitted an application after the 5 p.m. deadline on Jan. 26.

State statutes provide that council vacancies be filled by City Council appointment. The person appointed must be of the same political party as the person being replaced, 21 years of age or older, a Charlotte resident, and qualified to vote in Charlotte City Council elections.

Below is the list of the 103 eligible applicants:

1. Brenda Adams
2. Keith Albert
3. Stephanie Al-Zubaidy
4. Dante Anderson
5. Anthony Andrews
6. Kathryn Arnold
7. Demario Baker
8. Susie Bell
9. Alicia Benjamin
10. Ashlei Blue
11. Ashley Bobga
12. John Bommelje
13. Darrell Bonapart
14. Jesse Boyd
15. Nicole Braxtan
16. Kimberly Brooksbank
17. David Brown
18. Maria Brown
19. John Canaday
20. Krisha Chachra
21. Bruce Clark
22. Rebecca Cuering
23. Gordon Culletto
24. Jessica Davis
25. Noelle De Atley
26. Emil De Jong
27. Patrick Diamond
28. Austen DiPalma
29. Natalie Douglas
30. LaTasha Earl
31. Ericka Ellis-Stewart
32. Juan Euvin
33. Jessica Foster
34. Patricia Frye
35. LaToya Fuller
36. Samantha Gilman
37. Peyton Glendinning
38. Amy Goudy
39. Maurice Grier
40. Stephanie Hand
41. Tara Harris
42. Nicholas Hatley
43. Curtis Hayes
44. Clifton Howard
45. Adam Howell
46. Brandy Jackson
47. Amar Johnson
48. Steven Jones
49. Marcia Kirkpatrick
50. Belinda Lanier
51. Terry Lansdell
52. Juddson Larkins
53. Sarai Lewis
54. Joshua Lipack
55. Daraell Logan
56. Tyler Loveless
57. Brittany Lyke
58. Elizabeth Magan
59. Russell Martin
60. LaToya McCants
61. Brittany McCauley
62. Cedric McCorkle
63. Ryan McGill
64. Nathaniel McGowan
65. Felicia Mckoy
66. Talathia McKenzie
67. Jonathan Mettel
68. Keri Miller
69. Larry Mims
70. Shirley Mitchell
71. Rodney Moore
72. Joel Odom
73. Maritza Ortiz
74. Alexa Parsley
75. Paul Pegues
76. Sydney Pendle
77. Gregory Phipps
78. Robert Pinka
79. Eric Platts
80. Kelly Price
81. Cherie Readus
82. Crystal Screen
83. William Shoff
84. Jeffrey Simpson, Sr.
85. Bryant Sims
86. Sarah Smith
87. Jason Spooner
88. Valerie Starks
89. Curtis Stone
90. Derrick Suber
91. Mark Sumwalt
92. Andrea Taylor
93. Robin Taylor
94. Carl Terrell
95. Glenn Thomas
96. Jamerican Toney
97. Lissette Torres
98. Keith Way
99. Rebekah Whilden
100. Nancy Wiggins
101. Gregory Williams
102. G. Sean Williams
103. Deborah Woolard

Race for Charlotte City Council at-large seat heats up

Three familiar faces said they will run for an at-large seat on the Charlotte City Council.

Current District 1 Rep. Larken Egleston, community activist Curtis Hayes Jr. and former Charlotte City Councilwoman LaWana Mayfield, who served four terms, announced they are running for the seat.

Earlier this month, James Smuggie Mitchell resigned from the council, which ensured at least one seat will be open in the fall. Other at-large representatives Dimple Ajmera, Julie Eiselt and Braxton Winston have not said whether they will seek another term.

Filing is not until July. Several leaders are in a holding pattern as they await an announcement from Mayor Vi Lyles on whether she will seek an additional term, sources told Eyewitness News Reporter Joe Bruno.

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At Large Election

Egleston, who has served two terms, announced Monday he will run for an at-large seat. The moderate Democrat is touting his work as chair of the Immigrant Community Committee and pushing for the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department to implement the “Eight Can’t Wait”

Immigrant Community Committee in 2019, which led to Charlotte being the first city in the country to sign an immigration compact or leading the effort in 2020 to bring the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department in full compliance. Charlotte is one of the largest cities in the country to achieve this with the Eight Can’t Wait.

“Serving you as an at-large council member will give me the opportunity to tackle the biggest issues facing Charlotte such as continuing to shape CMPD into a department that provides public safety in a way that builds trust throughout the city, increasing the availability of affordable housing, fulfilling our vision for a comprehensive, multi-modal transportation network, tackling the challenges of climate change. And making sure everyone in our city has the opportunity to thrive regardless of their color, creed, gender, sexual orientation or ZIP code,” Egleston said in a message to supporters.

Hayes, who is a new face to Charlotte politics, announced Monday he will run for an at-large seat. During Charlotte’s George Floyd protests, Hayes went viral for a passionate exchange he had on I-277 with a younger protester.

[‘How can I find a better way?’: Teen protester learns life lesson from fellow demonstrator]

The exchange was profiled by numerous national outlets, including The Washington Post. Hayes is the owner and operator of World Class Property Maintenance LLC, a cleaning service.

“Curtis Hayes Jr. is running for Charlotte City Council at large because he believes ‘we must bring a calm respectful dialogue to find meaningful solutions for the people of Charlotte. Let’s cut the drama and cut the privileged,’” a news release announcing his candidacy stated. “If elected by the people, Hayes plans to use his experience in community activism, social justice, and entrepreneurship to enhance the lives of his fellow Charlotte residents.”

Former District 3 Rep. Mayfield announced earlier this month that she will make another run for an at-large seat. Mayfield finished fifth in the Democratic primary in 2019, missing out on a chance for a seat by 2,459 votes. In a message to supporters, Mayfield touted the implementation of the TLC by CLT program that repairs homes of seniors and people with lower incomes. She also said she is proud to have hosted the District 3 Airport Job Fair for seven of the eight years she served.

“Our city, much like the nation, has seen many changes in 2020 from civil unrest due to the many attacks on unarmed Black, Brown and those in support of Black lives. Rising costs of homeownership and rental rates, limited housing options that create wealth and accessibility. Massive layoffs and many lives lost or permanently altered due to COVID-19,” Mayfield said in a message to supporters. “I believe I have a lot more to offer our beautiful city as discussion of transportation, housing affordability, access and equity continue to dominate many of our conversations.”

Vacancy

The Charlotte City Council will appoint a new member to fill Mitchell’s seat and serve the community until a new representative is elected in the fall. The city is accepting applications for the seat until Tuesday at 5 p.m.

[Charlotte City Council opens application for vacant at-large seat]

Former Charlotte City Council members Justin Harlow and Greg Phipps told Eyewitness News Bruno they are considering applying for the seat. The city is not releasing a list of potential appointees until the application period closes. People who have announced they are throwing their name in for consideration include Bruce Clark, William Shoff and Rebekah Whilden.

The Charlotte City Council will hold a special meeting on Friday at 11 a.m. to hear from potential appointees. A new member will be appointed Feb. 1.

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