Charlotte City Council member John Lassiter filed papers today to run for mayor. If he survives a primary fight with fellow Republican Martin Davis, he’ll then face Democrat Anthony Foxx in November.
Foxx, also a member of City Council, is seeking to become Charlotte’s second African American mayor.
Speaking to a room of family members, campaign staff and supporters at the Board of Elections office, Lassiter rattled off a list of what he said are his qualifications to lead the Qcity.
He began with his 11 years on City Council. He also said he played a key role in bringing new retail, residential and office development to Midtown. Lassiter said he gave key leadership for the Bryant Park project, now home of the Charlotte School of Law, and partnered with the faith community to create more than 500 summer jobs for inner-city teens.
His top priority, he said, would be bringing new jobs to Charlotte.
“Charlotte has felt the brunt of the economic downturn as hard as any city in America,” he said. “Too many of our neighbors are unemployed. Too many hardworking families are struggling to keep a roof over their heads.”
He also pledged to focus on reducing crime and building better roads.
Just days after Foxx announced that his campaign had raised more than $250,000, Lassiter today predicted an expensive fight, estimating that his campaign would need at least twice that much.
“I have a well-funded opponent who is going to run an aggressive campaign,” he said.
Lassiter said his campaign would use traditional outlets such as billboards, radio and television, but also would depend on social networking Web sites such as Twitter and Facebook.
Other potential candidates have until noon Friday to file for local office. Foxx is expected to file papers Wednesday.
