Spotted having lunch today at Mimosa: City Council member Anthony Foxx (right), a Democrat, and former City Council member Patrick Mumford (left), a Republican.
Maybe they lunch together often and it’s no big deal. Who knows? But I stopped to greet them and when I asked what they were talking about (hey, I’m a journalist and it’s my job to be nosy) they just smiled and didn’t answer.
The common denominator for Foxx and Mumford — other than their council experience — is that both have been the subject of speculation about mayoral ambitions. Charlotte’s current mayor is running for governor. The next mayoral election isn’t until 2009. If Pat McCrory moves to the Governor’s Mansion in Raleigh, who succeeds him?
I’m not an expert at this moment in how a mayor gets chosen if one leaves office, but I’m pretty sure that if a Republican leaves, a Republican must be appointed. If recent council history is a guide, council members would rather appoint someone who doesn’t plan to run for the office. That’s how Greg Phipps got appointed to the council in 2005 after Malcolm Graham was elected to the state Senate.
Mumford left the council in 2007, saying he wanted time with his family. Might he be a candidate to be appointed mayor if McCrory wins the governorship?
Foxx, of course, is considered likely to run for mayor regardless of whether is opponent is McCrory, or any other Republican.
Mumford, by the way, had a pizza and Foxx had a bowl of chili. Bon appetit!