No Runoff for Francis, Mary Ann Baldwin is New Mayor of Raleigh

RALEIGH – Charles Francis, the second place finisher in Raleigh’s mayoral race decided not to call for a runoff, making the first place finisher Mary Ann Baldwin the new leader of the City of Oaks.

From the Raleigh News & Observer:

“[…] Baldwin will fill the mayor’s seat occupied by Nancy McFarlane since 2011. McFarlane chose not to seek re-election after serving four two-year terms.

Baldwin, who decided against seeking a fifth term as a City Council member in 2017, led with 38% of the votes in Tuesday’s election. Francis came in second with 31%, and former Wake County Commissioner Caroline Sullivan was third with 20.5%.

Baldwin said Friday afternoon that Francis called her just before he made his public announcement and was “very gracious” in conceding the race.

She said she is “ecstatic” as she spoke of her plans to focus on public transit, affordable housing and other issues that featured in her campaign. […]”

While both candidates are naturally more metropolitan (liberal) than mayoral contenders in in much of the Old North State, Baldwin seems a solutions oriented leader that was the less overtly political candidate of the two during the race. Again, that’s not saying much considering the setting; Baldwin had her dog pee on the General Assembly building to send a message to the GOP over a land deal with the city.

Read more about elections in the Capital City here.

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