There was history in the cities of Greensboro, NC, and Baltimore, Md., yesterday as both cities elected African American women to the mayor's office.
In Greensboro, Yvonne Johnson, who was endorsed by the Greensboro paper "Yes Weekly!" became the city's first African American female mayor. She told "The News-Record" that she pledges to unite a city. One of her priorities will be bringing closure to a lingering police department controversy.
In Baltimore, Sheila Dixon, also an African American, become the first female mayor in the city's history.
Beverly Earle (D), failed to to become Charlotte's first African-American female mayor as she lost to Pat McCrory (R) who won his record seventh term to office. No previous mayor of Charlotte has served more than four terms. He told "The Charlotte Observer" that: "I consider it a victory for Charlotte, both its leadership and its vision." McCrory won in several Democratic-leaning districts for his win.
In Chapel Hill, NC, Matt Czajowki won a seat on town council over incumbent Cam Hill by a mere 63 votes, but the incumbent, Mayor Kevin Foy, won easily.
Just over the town line from Chapel Hill, Mark H. Chilton was reelected in Carrboro.
And, in Hillsborough, NC, Tom Stevens beat out Joe Phelps by a 589-546 margin in a very close mayorial race.
A mere 133 votes was enough to ensure victory for incumbent Mayor Curtis E. Davis in Yanceyville, NC. His challenger Dan Printz got 71 votes.
But, being an incumbent does not always guarantee victory. In Burlington, NC, Ronnie Wall become the new mayor by defeating Mayor Stephen Ross.
In Virginia, Democrats gained control of the state senate through victories in northern Virginia and the Hampton Roads area. But, former Roanoke mayor Ralph Smith, a devout conservative won a very heated race over his more moderate Democratic challenger for a state senate seat there.
Republicans will maintain control over the House of Delegates, however.
In the Danville, Va., area, challenger Adam Tomer, a 27-year-old Danville city councilman put up a surprisingly strong effort against the incumbent, Del. Danny Marshall. But, Marshall won the race by a 52-48 in spite of losing his own jurisdiction, the City of Danville, to Tomer.
The victories in Virginia might make life easier for the state's Democratic Gov. Tim Kaine, who told "The Washington Post" that he was very pleased with the results of the state senate race.
But, all the victors now have a lot of work ahead of them.
Sheila Dixon, the new mayor of Baltimore, summed it up best in this statement to "The Baltimore Sun":
"We have a lot of issues and work ahead of us."
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1 comment:
I wouldn't get too excited. Sheila Dixon ain't no Fannie Lou Hamer, no Shirley Chisholm. She may sport brown-skin, but she has a history of being a dumb, used, puppet for the exclusive benefit of white billionnaire business interests. She hops on one foot and barks for the governor. She's embarrassingly inarticulate, and her city boasts 200 murders of young black people, in less than a year, under her-so called leadership. Her schools are among the worst in the country. . In her 20 year career, the only black woman she's empowered has been herself and she's done it the old fashiond way. I'll pass on the champaign and balloons for now, thank you.
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