Foxx Reelected Charlotte Mayor

Democrat Anthony Foxx was an apparent big winner Tuesday in his bid for re-election as Charlotte’s mayor.

With totals counted from 139 of 168 precincts, Foxx, seeking a second term as mayor, had a 2-to-1 margin in votes. Foxx had 66.7 percent of the votes, compared to 33.2 percent for Republican challenger Scott Stone.

As of 9:30 p.m., Foxx had not appeared at a gathering of supporters but was expected to appear soon.

It was about the result that many analysts had predicted.

Charlotte Observer

No surprises here.  This was easily predicted based on early voting returns and polling done on the race.  Scott Stone’s campaign never really got a big groundswell and I think the reason for that is because compared to the suffering much of the nation is dealing with given the national economy, things in Charlotte really aren’t all that bad.  We’ve weathered the housing crisis much better than other parts of the country.  Our local businesses are surviving for the most part.  The city is still a destination for Americans around the country to come and live.  I don’t think people were given much reason to change course with the current city government.

Furthermore, Anthony Foxx is a pretty likable guy when you get down to it.  He conducts himself very well publicly.  He’s not one of those inflammatory politicians who gets out there on his pulpit and spouts off insane rants.  Ethically, he’s kept his nose clean.  While I’d like to see stronger leadership from him, there really aren’t a whole lot of reasons to dislike the guy.

If Charlotte was being plagued by boarded up store fronts on Tryon St and swaths of vacant neighborhoods becoming virtual ghost towns, then I think Stone would have had his opening.  Fortunately, that’s not the case and whether or not Foxx has had any influence in that regard is really inconsequential.  The man at the top gets the credit when things go well and the blame when it all goes to hell, deserved or not.

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