CHARLOTTE — Candidate filing for local city council elections opened on Monday with more than a dozen incumbents and newcomers making their reelection and challenging bids official.
Among those filing on Monday was out candidate LaWana Mayfield, who is running for a chance to represent District 3. Known for her work on various progressive issues, Mayfield is the fourth openly gay or lesbian person to seek local elected office.
Mayfield will face off with incumbent City Councilmember Warren Turner, who also filed on Tuesday, in their Democratic primary on Sept. 13. Last year, Turner was accused of both sexist and homophobic behavior and sexual harassment. Though he denied the allegations, a later independent investigation found the complaints consistent and credible. Turner later lost his job as a probation officer with the North Carolina Department of Corrections, though the official reason for his firing stemmed from unrelated activities.
A Republican challenger, Ed Toney, also filed in the District 3 race.
Other candidates who filed on Monday include incumbents Patsy Kinsey (D-District 1), James “Smuggie” Mitchel (D-District 2), Michael Barnes (D-District 4), Andy Dulin (R-District 6), Warren Cooksey (R-District 7), David Howard (D-At-Large) and Edwin Peacock (R-At-Large). Kinsey and Peacock have both won past endorsements from the Mecklenburg LGBT Political Action Committee. qnotes will be initiating its own candidate questionnaire and endorsement process this year.
Other filers included District 5 Democratic newcomer John Autry and at-large challengers Claire Fallon (D) and Curtis Watkins (R).
Incumbents Nancy Carter (D-District 5) and Jason Burgess (D-At-Large) have said they will not seek reelection.
Filing for city council elections ends on Friday, Aug. 12. : :