David Howard, Charlotte City Council at-large

Officials anticipate turnout as candidates begin filing

| July 22nd, 2009 | No Comments » | Newsroom

See the full video report on the News 14 website >>

Candidate filing for the upcoming municipal and school board election started Monday. And while Candidates are busy gathering support, election officials are eager to see if the record turnout in last year’s presidential election will carry over this year.

“Charlotte is in the middle of a very challenging time and I think this time calls for experience,” Charlotte Mayor Pro Tem and At Large Candidate Susan Burgess said.

With both the Charlotte and Matthews mayoral seats open, elections director Michael Dickerson said that might draw the people to the polls.

“You’ve got over 600,000 people registered, and that’s good. But how many of those people are going to say, ‘I just voted in the presidential election’?” said Dickerson.

Dickerson said typical voter turnout for an off-year election is 20 to 25 percent. However, he’s eager to see what the turnout might be this November, the first election since President Barack Obama was voted into office.

“Is the interest there equal to a degree of what we had from last year? Last year had just a phenomenal interest, blew all of our records out of the water, as far as our records of people voting early and people voting period,” Dickerson said.

Filing closes July 17. This is the same filing period for all elections offices across the state.

Local candidates sign up to run as filing opens

| July 8th, 2009 | No Comments » | Newsroom

By Julia Oliver
joliver@charlotteobserver.com

Tuesday, Jul. 07, 2009

The opening of filings for city, school board and town elections brought candidates and groups of supporters to the elections office Monday, marking the beginning of the year’s campaign season.

Around noon, a largely Democratic crowd had gathered, speckled with campaign stickers and toting colorful signs. People snapped pictures as the candidates gave short speeches and posed with their campaign teams.

By day’s end, 33 people had filed to run for office. It seemed likely there would be a Democratic primary for the four at-large Charlotte City Council seats, and a Republican primary in the mayor’s race.

See the original article on the Charlotte Observer by, clicking here …

Candidate filing opens Campaign season opens for Charlotte, Mecklenburg

| July 8th, 2009 | No Comments » | Newsroom

from the Charlotte Post

Published Tuesday, July 7, 2009

by Herbert L. White

Let the campaigning begin.

Monday was opening day for filing for elected offices in Mecklenburg County, including Charlotte City Council and Charlotte-Mecklenburg school board.

The at-large council race figures to be most crowded, with as many as six Democrats expressing interest in four seats, which would force a primary. David Howard, a first-time candidate and chairman of the Planning Commission and incumbent Susan Burgess filed early.

Howard, who worked on District 3 council member Warren Turner’s last two campaigns, admits there’s a difference between selling his own candidacy and campaigning for someone else.

See the original article on the Charlotte Post  by clicking here.

David Howard included in 40 Under 40

| June 5th, 2009 | No Comments » | Newsroom

On June 9th, the Charlotte Business Journal presented the 16th annual 40 Under 40 Awards Program. This program recognized 40 individuals, under the age of 40, who are proven performers in their respective industries and communities.

These dynamic up and comers have shaped our community in ways that have made the Charlotte region a better place to do business and live. Winners were profiled in a special section of the June 12th Charlotte Business Journal issue. (more…)

Howard to run for Charlotte council

| June 4th, 2009 | No Comments » | Newsroom

By Jim Morrill | Charlotte Observer
jmorill@charlotteobserver.com
Posted: Saturday, May. 30, 2009

David Howard on Friday became the second Democrat to formally announce his candidacy for an at-large seat on the Charlotte City Council.

Howard, 39, chairs the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Planning Commission and works as a vice president for the Charlotte Housing Partnership.

He said he wants to help “build a community where citizens can work, live and play.”

Speaking to about 75 people at the Levine Museum of the New South, he laid out a four-part platform of transportation improvements, regional planning, job recruitment and retention, and reducing crime.

In addition to his housing and planning positions, Howard has served on panels involving road funding and the environment. He also helped found the group Mothers of Murdered Offspring. Former Mayor Pro Tem Betty Chafin Rash, who introduced Howard, touted his resume for the post.

See the original article on the Charlotte Observer’s website by clicking here…