Charlotte mayoral election, 2007

The biennial Charlotte mayoral election was held on November 6, 2007. Mayor Pat McCrory, a Republican, was re-elected to a seventh term.

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.^[1]
• Andy Silver: hypnotherapist dropped out of the race after learning that Earle would run^[1]

Republicans

• Pat McCrory: Six-term incumbent^[1]
• Ken Gjertsen: Member of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Board of Education, Transit tax opponent^[1]

Primary Election Results

Democratic

Beverly Earle was unopposed and did not face a primary.

Republican

Mayor of Charlotte Republican Primary Election 2007^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Pat McCrory	7,432	67
	Republican	Ken Gjertsen	3,629	33
Total votes			11,061	100.00

General Election Results

Mayor of Charlotte General Election Results 2007^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Pat McCrory	58,501	61
	Democratic	Beverly Earle	37,624	39
Total votes			96,125	100.00

Footnotes

1. Flynn, Shawn (July 20, 2007). "Charlotte mayoral race heats up". News 14 Carolina. Retrieved 2008-11-29.
2. "Mecklenburg County Board of Elections results". NC State Board of Elections. Retrieved 6 December 2011.