I just applied for the vacant Charlotte City Council seat
There's a window of opportunity to actually get a few important things done
This isn’t a typical Longleaf Politics newsletter, but I wanted to share something with you.
A few days ago, I applied to fill the vacant seat on Charlotte City Council — the one left open after my friend Tariq Bokhari stepped down to take a big-time role at the Federal Transit Administration.
That means the rest of the council gets to make a short-term appointment for someone to fill the seat. The term only runs through December, when a new council is elected and sworn in.
Let me say this upfront: I’m not running for the seat. I will not be on the ballot. That’s not what this is about.
There’s a decent chance that Tariq’s wife Krista Bokhari could be appointed to this seat, and I’d support that wholeheartedly. She’d be great. But I also know there’s a real interest on the council in appointing someone who isn’t running this year. Someone who can step in, help move a few key priorities forward, and then quietly step aside.
That’s where I come in.
The council needs to appoint a Republican (check) who lives in south Charlotte’s District 6 (double check). And maybe—just maybe—they’ll be interested in someone who can serve without distraction, get to work quickly, and exit just as quietly.
Here’s what I’d focus on
The short window of the appointment actually lines up with a few pressing needs. Here’s what I’m interested in doing.
Get Charlotte’s transit plan over the finish line
I’ve written about this a ton, but right now the Charlotte transit plan feels close to a breakthrough. But to make it happen, we need someone in this seat who can engage directly with the General Assembly and help bridge the gap.
This spring and summer are critical. With the right voice, we might just get it done.
Represent conservative interests during budget season
Over the next few months, Council will finalize the city budget. My part of town deserves a representative who understands the issues and can advocate for smart, strategic investments that actually improve quality of life.
I’d probably get out-voted—but I’d still be a voice for south Charlotte taxpayers, and maybe even find some compromise along the way.
Reinvigorate civic pride
Charlotte has always been an aspirational city. But lately, it’s felt like we’ve lost some of that spark. I’d like to help restore it.
What are my chances?
Honestly, I don’t think my chances to get the appointment are all that great. That’s OK. But if you’d like to see it happen, feel free to put in a good word for me with the current Charlotte City Council members.
No agenda. No campaign. Just a Charlotte guy trying to be useful for a few months.
At a premium
Quick hits
At long last, the Judge Jefferson Griffin saga has come to an end. I wrote in the N&O/Charlotte Observer about how while North Carolina avoided catastrophe, the impacts will still be felt for a long time to come. Read it here: The Griffin case will still bring deep consequences for North Carolina
On something of a lighter note, I also wrote a column about the raw milk debate. My editors took out a few of my puns, but it’s still a fun read. My headline was supposed to be “N.C. tried to ban raw milk. It got creamed.” Read it here: North Carolina just tried to ban raw milk. It didn’t go well at all
Important reads
Kinston achieves BBQ glory (Business NC)
Baltimore developer used stealth to sell a big-dollar casino to rural NC county (N&O)
Top spenders on social media last week
Question of the week
Thank you for all the great responses to my newsletter last week about what a new N.C. constitution could look like. I am actually pretty serious about pushing a new document, though I get that the chances are slim. Here were the poll results from last week:
73% of you said the governor and lieutenant governor should run as a ticket.
71% of you said we should lengthen N.C. Senate terms to four years.
47% of you want term limits for all General Assembly members, while 40% want them just for leadership.