Fayetteville’s got a decision to make. Charles Evans announced that he will challenge Mayor Mitch Colvin in this fall’s election.
Dynasty?
After he was first elected Mayor in 2017, Colvin never faced a serious challenge. Here’s Colvin’s vote share in the last three elections:
- 2017: 59%
- 2019: 95% (unopposed)
- 2022: 62%
The North Carolina Constitution allows you to run for a local office as long as you want. There are no term limits. Unlike other executive offices, like President or Governor, a Mayor can keep his job as long as he keeps getting votes. It seemed as if Colvin would hold the seat for as long as he wanted it.
Ding-Ding
Enter Charles Evans. There are maybe a handful of politicians in Cumberland County with the experience and name recognition to pose a threat to Colvin. Evans is at the top of that list. He served on the City Council, was a County Commissioner for over a decade, and carries a name that is sprinkled through the history books of Fayetteville like pine pollen in April.
People know Evans. People know Colvin.
Fayetteville politics just got interesting again.
Cross Creek Divide 
Thought about this race Sunday morning while filling my wife’s car up with gas. There was a Evans for mayor sign at the locally owned (non-chain) gas station. He has consistently gotten support from a larger part of the community than folks give him credit for and was the top vote getter in the at large races.
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