Charleston Currents – 2015 Mayor

2015 Mayor

#JohnNotLeon — a special election commentary

By Andy Brack | updated 11.7.15

After all of Leon Stavrinakis’s whining about negative campaigning in the race to replace Charleston Mayor Joe Riley, you might have been surprised that the first thing out of his mouth after the polls closed was an attack.

Stavrinakis, who has been a frontrunner for so long that he was obviously stunned that he came in a close second to commercial real estate agent John Tecklenburg on November 3, criticized the lead vote-getter as a “developer” in comments to the press.

by Andy Brack · 11/04/2015 · Comments are Disabled · 2015 Mayor, Andy Brack, Views

VOTE: Remember to head to the polls

Make sure you get out to vote Tuesday in elections across the Lowcountry. There will be a new mayor in Charleston [read our endorsement] and perhaps some new council members. In North Charleston, the mayor’s office and whole council is up for grabs. In Mount Pleasant, voters will select candidates to fill several town council seats.

by Charleston Currents · 11/02/2015 · Comments are Disabled · 2015 Mayor

BRACK: Why I’m voting for John Tecklenburg

By Andy Brack, editor and publisher | John Tecklenburg has the best line in the campaign to be Charleston’s next mayor:

“Charleston is not a theme park,” he tells people during meetings and in ads.

In just six words, he succinctly captures what’s different about his candidacy and lets us in on his secret: he’s running to serve the people of Charleston. He wants to work collaboratively with people to foster a community vision that focuses on what Charleston’s residents want their future to be.

by Andy Brack · 10/19/2015 · Comments are Disabled · 2015 Mayor, Andy Brack, Views

FOCUS: Will put residents’ quality of life first as mayor

By John Tecklenburg, candidate for mayor of Charleston

SEPT. 28, 2015 | My comprehensive plan for Charleston, Our Quality of Life First, is not what anyone would call a slickly-packaged public relations document.

In fact, if you head over to our website and take a quick look at it, the first thing you’ll probably notice is that it’s light on pretty pictures and heavy on specifics. But that’s not the only way it differs from some other plans you may have seen.

by Charleston Currents · 09/28/2015 · Comments are Disabled · 2015 Mayor, Focus, Good news

FOCUS: Will work to relieve traffic congestion as mayor

By Ginny Deerin, candidate for mayor of Charleston | Many days, it feels like we spend more time trying to get places than actually being there.

It should not be this hard to get around Charleston. As mayor, I will work day-and-night to relieve traffic congestion — and make it easier to get where we are going.

We can do better. We have studied our traffic problems to death. Now is the time for action. I have presented a bold and aggressive transportation action plan — a plan that includes clear and identifiable funding streams.

by Charleston Currents · 09/21/2015 · Comments are Disabled · 2015 Mayor, Focus

FOCUS: In race to move Charleston forward, keep it together

By Leon Stavrinakis, candidate for mayor of Charleston | Forty years ago, Joe Riley left the legislature to become mayor of Charleston. We have all been witness to the kind of difference proven leadership can make as we watched him lead Charleston’s transformation into a diverse, economic powerhouse led by thriving hospitality, booming manufacturing, growing knowledge based, high-tech industries and the most unique quality of life anywhere.

As Mayor Riley steps away from the stage, it’s time to ask ourselves what we need for our city to continue to be the special place we all love.

by Charleston Currents · 09/14/2015 · Comments are Disabled · 2015 Mayor, Focus

Who’s running to be Charleston’s mayor?

Several Charleston leaders have announced that they’re running for mayor in 2015 to replace long-timer Mayor Joe Riley. In coming weeks, you can look under the “2015” tab of Charleston Currents to find op-eds by mayoral candidates outlining why they want to be mayor.

by Charleston Currents · 09/03/2015 · Comments are Disabled · 2015 Mayor

FOCUS: Thoughtful, considerate action should bring sustainable unity

By Maurice Washington, candidate for mayor | The tragedies of last month will forever be in our memories. Our hearts are with the families of the nine worshippers whose lives were taken in a premeditated rage. In spite of this horrific crime of hate, love has overcome these horrible moments, and, once again, the Charleston community has shown the world how a God-loving community can and should act under the most awful circumstances.

The families of the victims, choosing to forgive rather than condemn, demonstrated the very essence of Christianity. …

by Special to Charleston Currents · 07/20/2015 · Comments are Disabled · 2015 Mayor, Focus, Good news

GOOD NEWS: Almost $2 million raised in mayor’s race

Three candidates are dominating fundraising in the 2015 race to replace Charleston Mayor Joe Riley. Less than $65,000 separates them despite their fundraising almost $1.5 million:

by Charleston Currents · 07/13/2015 · Comments are Disabled · 2015 Mayor, Good news, News briefs

A voter waits in a past election to vote.

BRACK: 3 lawyers to challenge Charleston council incumbents

By Andy Brack | Just about all of the focus in Charleston politics of late has been on the November race for mayor as candidates vie to replace longtime incumbent Joe Riley, who is retiring after 40 years. But there are six other races that are important too — half of the seats on city council.

As best as we can tell, three attorneys are challenging three incumbents in city council races around town. Three other incumbents don’t seem to have candidates looming, but with filing not until the end of the summer, they’re not safe yet.

by Andy Brack · 04/06/2015 · Comments are Disabled · 2015 Mayor, Andy Brack, Views