Student Candidate Guide 2015 – Primary Election

Charlotte-Mecklenburg students surveyed all candidates for office in Election 2015 in August. The following candidates will have a primary election on September 15, 2015. The winners of the primary, and the candidates who did not face a primary, will be included in the 2015 Student Candidate Guide and will be published later in the month.

Office Democratic Primary Republican Primary Charlotte Mayor Michael Barnes Edwin B. Peacock III Dan Clodfelter * Scott Stone * Roderick Davis * David Howard DeJawon Joseph * Jennifer Roberts

Charlotte City Laurence Bibbs * No primary election Council Darrell Bonapart * At-Large Bruce Clark Julie Eiselt * 4 candidates will be Claire Fallon elected Sean Gautam Shawn Greeson Mo Idlibby * Vi Lyles Billy Maddalon James Mitchell * Aaron Sanders

District 2 Alvin (Al) Austin No primary election Steven Jones *

District 3 Rosa Hodge-Mustafa No primary election LaWana Mayfield Warren Turner *

District 5 John Autry * No primary election Scott Jenkins

District 1, 4, 6, 7 No primary election No primary election

* The candidate did not provide the requested information.

Why are only some candidates in a primary election? In a primary election, voters in each political party decide which candidates will represent the party in the general election. If a candidate does not have party opposition, there is no primary election. Some offices, such as school board and town mayors and boards, are nonpartisan – because those elections are not aligned with political parties, they do not need a primary election to decide their party’s candidates.

Return to the Student Candidate Guide online for other Election 2015 candidates, information about local government, student learning opportunities, and more! http://generationnation.org/index.php/home/info/student-candidate-guide-2015 CANDIDATE – MAYOR OF CHARLOTTE

Website: www.barnesforcharlotte.com Email: [email protected]

/barnes4clt

@barnes4clt

@barnes4clt

Michael Barnes

Education/Occupation Attorney

Community involvement and 10 years on leadership experiences

Students can volunteer with Yes - contact my campaign my campaign

Where I grew up and when I Rocky Mount, NC. I came to Charlotte in 1998 as an came to Charlotte attorney First Union Corporation

As a student, I was interested I was always fascinated by the impact government has on in government, leadership, our lives and the fact that under our form of government, and civic issues because... almost anybody can run for office and try to lead in their community

Favorite news source (did not answer)

Political viewpoint Moderate Democrat

First issue I will tackle Adequate infrastructure and how we can stay ahead of our growth by fully implementing our Capital Investment Plan for roads, bike lanes, greenway expansion, sidewalks and Blue Line Extension improvements.

2015 Student Candidate Guide | www.GenerationNation.org CANDIDATE – MAYOR OF CHARLOTTE

I think the most important Providing strong public safety (police and fire protection), role of city government is providing economic development (job growth) and providing adequate infrastructure (roads, bike lanes, sidewalks and transit)

What does Charlotte do well? We are great at providing the 3 items above. We need to get What can we do better? better at addressing economic mobility in Charlotte. Providing strong K-12 education is the best way to start addressing economic disparities. As Mayor, I would advocate for better education investments in Charlotte-Mecklenburg with our state legislature.

A Charlotte issue that does Environmental health. We still have a number of creeks and not get enough attention – streams that are impaired and need our attention. I'll work and how I will solve it with various organizations and communities to clean up and restore those waterways.

My impact on Charlotte’s By leading our city council and staff to fully implement our progress and growth Capital Investment Plan, I believe I can take our city to a new level. We can provide a community that's great for the young and not so young. A city where we call have access to jobs, education, health care and fresh foods so that we all have a chance to live our dreams.

Do all kids in Charlotte have No. Poor kids don't have the resources to gain access to the equal opportunities for same opportunities as other kids. I'll work on the items success? How I will help… mentioned above and also ask parents to partner with us to educate their kids. Reading to a child from birth can have a life-changing impact on that child.

Why students should get Today's kids will inherit this world as I did, and it'll be up to involved in GenerationNation them to determine what they want the world to be. They can and CLT-Meck Youth Council step up and lead or sit back and watch things happen.

One more thing I want people My wife and kids are the most important and fun part of my to know about me life.

2015 Student Candidate Guide | www.GenerationNation.org CANDIDATE – MAYOR OF CHARLOTTE

Website: www.VoteDavidHoward.com Email: [email protected]

www.facebook.com/davidhowardclt

@votedavidhoward

dlhoward125

David Howard Video https://youtu.be/tFeAH2OILeA

Education/Occupation Graduate of UNC Charlotte; Charlotte-Mecklenburg Housing Partnership, senior vice president of special initiatives and public policy, 1997-present

Community involvement and I have served as an at-large Charlotte City Council member leadership experiences since 2009. I currently chair the council governance and accountability committee, and am a member of the intergovernmental relations and environment committees. I formerly chaired the council transportation and planning committee and serve as the alternate council representative for the Charlotte Regional Transportation Planning Organization (CRTPO). I have served as the co-chair of the Transit Finance Working Group alongside Huntersville Mayor Jill Swain since 2013. Although not elected positions, I also have served or currently serve on the following quasi- governmental/policy boards: Charlotte-Mecklenburg Planning Commission – Past Chair; Mecklenburg Planning Coordinating Committee – Chair; CONNECT Sustainable Growth Cabinet – Past Co-Chair; NBC LEO Board of Directors – First Vice President; League of Municipalities Planning and Environment Legislative Action Committee – Past Vice-Chair; The ‘Committee of 21’ Road Funding Solutions Committee; Mecklenburg County Environmental Policy Coordination Committee; Urban Land Institute – Charlotte Council; Mecklenburg Union Metropolitan Planning Organization (MUMPO)

Students can volunteer with Yes. Students should be at least 14 my campaign Contact Max O’Bierne 703-409-6221; [email protected]

2015 Student Candidate Guide | www.GenerationNation.org CANDIDATE – MAYOR OF CHARLOTTE

Where I grew up and when I I was born at Charlotte Memorial Hospital (now Carolinas came to Charlotte Medical Center) and raised in Kingspark Apartments off of West Boulevard. I attended both Berean Junior Academy and Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, and graduated from West Charlotte High School.

As a student, I was interested I always have had a passion for making my hometown the in government, leadership, best city it can be; from around the age of 9 I wanted to be and civic issues because... an architect, and the Mayor of Charlotte, like Harvey Gantt.

Favorite news source and Huffington Post

Political viewpoint Democrat

First issue I will tackle We can't stop until everyone who wants a job has a well- paying job - one that can support a family - because nothing is more important. It means Charlotte continues its course to becoming not just one of America’s strongest cities, but an international city that continues to grow jobs by attracting and retaining international businesses.

I think the most important In addition to maintaining the infrastructure (roads, role of city government is sidewalks, etc.) and providing services (trash/recycling, police/fire, water/sewer, etc.), we as elected leaders need to ensure that our city is a welcoming, safe and prosperous place for people to live, work and play.

What does Charlotte do well? Charlotte is at its best when we all pull together for a What can we do better? common goal, whether it’s attracting the DNC in 2012 or opening our arms to Hurricane Katrina victims as we a decade ago. Where we can do better is ensuring that every citizen has the same opportunities to be successful (see c. under Issues, goals, positions section above).

A Charlotte issue that does Our student assignment plan/magnet schools placements: not get enough attention – both have been, and should continue to be, tools to better and how I will solve it position our children for success. Our community must be preparing them for the future, requiring bold thinking and innovative approaches to education/community building. I'll facilitate such conversations that create real change.

My impact on Charlotte’s My planning commission, city council and international progress and growth leadership experience qualify me to lead Charlotte as a national/international city that it is poised to be. We must extend opportunity to every person in every neighborhood: continue to grow well-paying jobs with a plan for the next few decades, not just the next few years.

2015 Student Candidate Guide | www.GenerationNation.org CANDIDATE – MAYOR OF CHARLOTTE

Do all kids in Charlotte have I've led conversations on developing an M-Schools initiative equal opportunities for in Charlotte based on a program in Barcelona. This success? How I will help… competitive program teaches students computer coding using teachers a team leads. Initiatives like this will equip our students with technology/skills that will carry them into the next decade and keep us competitive moving forward.

Why students should get As the councilmember who led efforts to create the Youth involved in GenerationNation Council, I couldn't be more excited with the program. The and CLT-Meck Youth Council goals from the beginning were to have more involvement from our community’s youth in city, county and schools issues, and to provide leadership training and opportunities to prepare the leaders of the future.

One more thing I want people I also led the creation of the Immigrant Integration Task to know about me Force. I have been thinking out of the box and seeking innovative approaches to our community’s issues. The next Mayor of Charlotte will have to lead that way: being intentional, innovative and forward-thinking, and I am the person to provide that leadership for our city.

2015 Student Candidate Guide | www.GenerationNation.org CANDIDATE – MAYOR OF CHARLOTTE

Website: www.edwinpeacock.com Email: [email protected]

EdwinPeacockforMayor

Edwinpeacockiii

EBPIII

Video: www.edwinpeacock.com Edwin Peacock

Education/Occupation University of Georgia, BA Political Science & Certificate of Global Studies; Financial Representative Northwestern Mutual

Community involvement and Charlotte City Council- 2007-2011 Republican At-Large leadership experiences

Students can volunteer with Yes. Contact Andrew Brey on our website. my campaign Ages 14-22 are ideal

Where I grew up and when I Charlotte...I went to school at Lansdowne, First Ward, then came to Charlotte Country Day.

As a student, I was interested Global issues in government, leadership, and civic issues because...

Favorite news source The Charlotte Observer

Political viewpoint Apathy is the enemy of good government

First issue I will tackle Transit / Traffic Congestion- we're one of the fastest growing regions in the U.S. We must restore trust in our cities ability to adhere to the regions priorities set forth in the MTC.

2015 Student Candidate Guide | www.GenerationNation.org CANDIDATE – MAYOR OF CHARLOTTE

I think the most important Public Safety (Police-Fire) the first role of a local government role of city government is is to protect & serve!

What does Charlotte do well? First, we're sincerely & genuinely welcoming. What can we do better? Second, we can & must more business & family friendly.

A Charlotte issue that does Education. The Mayor can & should be a more dynamic not get enough attention – partner to help our schools go from good to great! and how I will solve it

My impact on Charlotte’s Focus on making safe, clean & affordable progress and growth

Do all kids in Charlotte have No. All kids do not have equal opportunities. equal opportunities for Take seriously the Task Force's report on Economic Mobility. success? How I will help… Improve, build, grow the Mayor's Mentoring Alliance.

Why students should get Apathy is the enemy of good government. involved in GenerationNation You can & must realize that democracy only works if you and CLT-Meck Youth Council participate!

One more thing I want people I love to just about everything outdoors. to know about me

2015 Student Candidate Guide | www.GenerationNation.org CANDIDATE – MAYOR OF CHARLOTTE

Website: jenniferrobertsformayor.com Email: [email protected]

Jennifer Roberts for Charlotte Mayor

@JenRobertsNC

@jenrobertsNC

Jennifer Roberts Education/Occupation Graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill, Masters degree in International Affairs. I have worked as a teacher, a diplomat with US Department of State, and as an international businesswoman. I currently work as Board President of International House.

Community involvement and I have volunteered for numerous local groups and leadership experiences organizations and am most proud of serving as co-chair of the fundraising committee to build the Shelter for Domestic Violence. In addition, I served five years as Chairman of the Mecklenburg County Commission.

Students can volunteer with Yes. Contact Anne Gimbel my campaign [email protected]

Where I grew up and when I I grew up in Charlotte and graduated from East Meck High came to Charlotte School.

As a student, I was interested Equality and inclusion in government, leadership, and civic issues because...

Favorite news source WFAE

Political viewpoint Democrat

2015 Student Candidate Guide | www.GenerationNation.org CANDIDATE – MAYOR OF CHARLOTTE

First issue I will tackle Currently there is no group or organization monitoring and evaluating gaps in our after school programs for disadvantaged kids. I plan to work with public and private groups to create an organization that will ensure that all kids have the opportunity to attend quality after-school programs.

I think the most important Ensuring that Charlotte is a safe and inclusive city with role of city government is opportunity for all people.

What does Charlotte do well? Charlotte is a welcoming city but we must do a better job of What can we do better? spreading economic opportunity to all corners of our city.

A Charlotte issue that does We must make sure that all kids have access to quality after not get enough attention – school programs. Just as I did with the domestic violence and how I will solve it shelter, I will work to raise money in the community to fill current gaps in our after school programs.

My impact on Charlotte’s I will work tirelessly to recruit international businesses to progress and growth Charlotte as well as to make sure that our small businesses and our women- and minority-owned businesses have access to the resources they need to succeed. I will also work to support innovation in our city and to grow resources around supporting entrepreneurs and creative talent.

Do all kids in Charlotte have All children in Charlotte do not have equal opportunity for equal opportunities for success. I will work to make sure that all our kids have success? How I will help… access to quality school and after school learning environments.

Why students should get Our city is strongest when everyone has a voice in shaping involved in GenerationNation our community. We must have the voices of young people to and CLT-Meck Youth Council ensure our strongest possible future.

One more thing I want people I believe that sports and being active are very important. I to know about me played sports in high school and college and my favorite hobby is hiking with my family.

2015 Student Candidate Guide | www.GenerationNation.org