Greensboro councilwoman names possible successor
Trudy Wade, the Republican nominee in the race for the open District 28 seat in the NC Senate, indicated to several people attending a monthly Guilford County Republican Party Executive Committee meeting on May 10 that she considers Tony Wilkins a good candidate to replace her in the District 5 seat on Greensboro City Council should she be elected to the state Senate, according to two independent anonymous sources.
Asked to comment on Wade’s statement, Wilkins said, “Discussion on a replacement would be premature at this point. However, if Dr. Wade has that confidence in me, then I’m honored.
A fellow Republican, Wade appointed Wilkins to the city’s War Memorial Commission in 2008. Wilkins serves as executive director of the county Republican Party.
That Wade will be forced to vacate her city council seat is far from certain. District 28 is the most Democratic-leaning state senate district in Guilford County. Wade faces Democrat Gladys Robinson in the November general election. Two factors could give the Republican candidate a chance to flip the seat. One would be if Bruce Davis, a Democrat who currently serves on the Guilford County Commission, manages to collect 5,000 signatures to get on the ballot as an independent. Another is the expectation of high turnout among Republican voters this year.
The two sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said that a District 5 vacancy on the city council would be heavily contested and it is unclear whether Wilkins could attract a sufficient number of votes to be confirmed. They added that the Greensboro Legal Department is currently researching whether Wade would be allowed to vote on confirmation. Wade did not return calls for this story. — Jordan Green
Poll: Marshall, Cunningham in dead heat for Democratic nomination
A May 12 Public Policy Polling survey reveals that NC Secretary of State Elaine Marshall and former NC Sen. Cal Cunningham are now dead even at 36-36 in the first poll conducted since the May 4 primary. Marshall defeated Cunningham by nearly 10 percentage points during the Democratic primary for the US Senate seat currently held by Republican Richard Burr, but failed to win 40 percent of the vote, thereby forcing a runoff election on June 22. The survey attributed Cunningham’s surge to the fact his supporters appeared more committed to him than did Marshall’s supporters to their candidate. If that trend holds, it would work to Cunningham’s advantage if voter turnout remains low for the runoff election, according the survey. Voter turnout in the May 4 primary stood at 14.5 percent statewide. The survey also noted clear demographic lines in the runoff election. Cunningham, an Iraq war veteran and a recipient of the Bronze Star, has a distinct advantage among white voters, with a 43-32 margin, while Marshall enjoys a 44-22 advantage among African-American voters. Cunningham polls well among male voters with a 47-37 advantage over Marshall. Marshall, who is the first woman ever elected to state office in North Carolina, enjoys a 35-29 advantage over Cunningham among women respondents. Marshall also holds a 40-35 advantage among liberal voters, while Cunningham has a 38-25 advantage among conservative voters. The candidates tied in support from moderate voters at 37-37. — Keith T. Barber
Greensboro government and businesses collaborate to encourage cycling
Mayor Bill Knight has declared Monday through Friday Bike-to-Work Week in Greensboro. The city announced that refueling stations, where cyclists can stop for free coffee, juice and other refreshments, will be set up at various locations during the morning commute. On Thursday, refueling stations will be active at the UNCG traffic circle near Elliott University Center and REI at the Shops at Friendly Center from 7 to 9 a.m. On Friday, refueling stations will operate at Governmental Plaza and Spring Garden Bakery from 7 to 9 a.m. On Wednesday at 6 p.m., cyclists will gather at the Wrangler Building in downtown for a Ride of Silence “to honor bicyclists who’ve been killed or injured while cycling on public streets during the past year.” On Friday, Piedmont Authority for Regional Transportation will allow anyone who rides their bicycle to a PART station to ride the bus for free. PART buses have a rack that will hold two bicycles. The week culminates with a “Bike Home from Work Celebration” at Old Town Draught House on Spring Garden St. on Friday, from 5 to 9 p.m. No confirmation on complimentary drinks as a reward for showing up on two wheels. — Jordan Green
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