2007 Charlotte mayoral election

Hot button issues

• Light rail: was a source of controversy.
• Potential fallout over Charlotte Bobcats Arena: Arena bonds were voted down in 2002 but were later pushed through without voters' permission. This may have cost Republican city councilwoman Lynn Wheeler, a close McCrory ally, her job.
• Growth: Charlotte is one of the fastest growing cities in the United States. Around 32 people move to Charlotte every day and the city has found it hard to keep up in areas such as education.
• Drunk driving: Charlotte saw a rash of drunk driving incidents, many resulting in deaths, in 2006, leading many to wonder if tougher punishments should be meted out.

  Candidates

Democrats

• Beverly Earle: Seven-term North Carolina State Representative.
• Andy Silver: hypnotherapist dropped out of the race after learning that Earle would run

  Republicans

• Pat McCrory: Six-term incumbent
• Ken Gjertsen: Member of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Board of Education, Transit tax opponent

  Primary Election Results

Democratic

Republican

General Election Results

Footnotes