Posted on 05/07/2003 11:14:47 AM PDT by JohnnyZ
Two months before he's expected to file for re-election, Charlotte Mayor Pat McCrory said he's keeping his options open -- for a 2004 governor's race.
If elected to an unprecedented fifth term in November, McCrory would have less than four months to file for a statewide race. But in an interview Tuesday, he declined to rule it out.
"I'm going to keep my options open for 2004 right now," he said. "Right now all my concentration is on running for mayor."
Filing for this fall's city elections opens July 7. Though widely expected to run, McCrory said only that he's "definitely taking very positive steps" toward a re-election bid.
Filing for statewide office opens in February. If McCrory decides to run for governor, he would join what could be a crowded field of Republicans trying to unseat Democratic incumbent Mike Easley.
Those running or considering running include Senate Minority Leader Patrick Ballantine of Wilmington, Winston-Salem lawyer Dan Barrett, Raleigh lawyer Jim Cain, Southern Pines businessman George Little and former Charlotte Mayor Richard Vinroot, who lost to Easley in 2000.
McCrory could run for governor while serving as mayor but would have to resign in the middle of his term if he won.
Because he'd be unlikely to start a statewide campaign until after November, McCrory could start off far behind rivals in what will be a multimillion dollar campaign. Vinroot has already lined up consultants. Ballantine has said he expects to have raised $500,000 within three weeks.
McCrory would also have to overcome a sorry track record of Charlotte mayors running statewide. Each of McCrory's predecessors back to 1979 has run for statewide office and lost.
"Pat's great. I hope he will keep his options open," Vinroot said Tuesday. "It wouldn't affect me. Pat's a friend, but other friends are running too. I'm not going to make my decision based on Pat, and I don't think he would make his based on me."
Though McCrory and Vinroot served together on Charlotte's City Council and had been longtime political allies, McCrory was an early supporter of Elizabeth Dole's U.S. Senate campaign, even while Vinroot was in the race himself.
Mike Castano, who has announced plans to challenge McCrory in September's mayoral primary, said he isn't surprised by the mayor's news.
"What we need now in this city is someone who will be a full-time mayor ... and one who will be here for a while and not try to go anywhere," Castano said. "My ambition is to be mayor of Charlotte."
Among those encouraging a McCrory candidacy is former state Sen. Bob Shaw of Greensboro, McCrory's hometown. Shaw has turned down a request for support from his former colleague Ballantine.
"I said, `Patrick you're a little late. I already told Pat McCrory if he runs I'll support him,' " Shaw recalled. "I don't know whether Pat McCrory is going to run for governor or not. He hasn't told me he was. But he hasn't told me he wasn't."
Says McCrory: "I don't take my current job for granted at all as I also consider future options."
Of course, maybe if he runs and Richard "I've lost so many times, I can't remember when I last won" Vinroot does, they'll cancel each other out in the primary. Is Ballantine the very best candidate we have for Gov in NC ? I still think Easley will be tougher to dislodge than Edwards.
Yes, I think dual McCrory/Vinroot candidacies would hurt each in the primary. Ballantine IS probably the best candidate we have running. Walter Jones Jr. or Sue Myrick would probably be ideal but they aren't running. Some of the other candidates are intriguing: county commissioner Dan Barrett and Carolina Hurricanes prez Jim Cain in particular. Hard to say where they stand on the issues. It seems a bit premature for Barrett to be running for governor, but maybe he's trying to raise his statewide profile. I think it's a good field of candidates just from those three.
Ballantine is a strong conservative, has led the senate Republicans well, and has a "compassionate" streak. I'm still a little wierded out by his big head and small mouth, no matter how cute mykdsmom says he is! But I'm about ready to jump on board the Ballantine bandwagon. I don't know how good a campaigner he is but his politics are A1 conservative.
As for whether Easley will lose, that is certainly in question. The election won't be won on Easley's unpopularity, because he has a nice guy image, but it CAN be won, and won clearly, and "do-nothing-governor" and "tax hike Mike" charges. We need a message of Activity vs. Easley's invisibility.
Ok, I told you that he's much more attractive in person that his pictures truly show. It looks to me like he just doesn't photograph well. Having said that, I'd like to solicit 2 other female opinions.
Howlin and ncweaver, you guys have met Ballantine, do you find him "weird" looking?
While we're waiting for those un-biased opinions, I'll try to hunt up a rally picture I think I have of him.
MKM
Ah, NO! I thought he looked very nice. Not weird at all!
Every time I've seen him in person or on TV, he's always looked VERY handsome. He also sounded very articulate. I'm just hoping the Republicans don't "shoot themselves in the foot" again. Who else is running against him in the primary besides Vinroot, the LOSER?
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