(Source: The Charlotte Observer (Charlotte, N.C.))
By Franco Ordonez, The Charlotte Observer, N.C.
Nov. 4--Warren Cooksey easily beat newcomer Marc Friedland on Tuesday to hold on to his District 7 City Council seat.
Cooksey won 73 percent of the vote, according to complete but unofficial returns.
The Republican attributed his victory to his work on the council as well as a district drawn to favor Republican candidates.
Cooksey, known for his dispassionate analysis, has sought to reduce spending and has argued against projects such as the streetcar through central Charlotte.
"I represent the district's point of view well on council," said Cooksey. "I focus on core services of affordable government: public safety, roads, utilities."
Cooksey, who works at Wachovia's Wealth Management Group, was expected to beat Friedland. District 7, which encompasses Ballantyne, is considered the safest GOP seat in Charlotte. Republicans are 44 percent of registered voters and Democrats are 27 percent.
Friedland, the founder and owner of Talley's Green Grocery in Dilworth until it closed in 2008, had run a campaign pushing the need to strengthen small business and improve the infrastructure in south Charlotte.
Friedland said he knew that, as a Democrat, he had a tough challenge. But he hoped his experience as a local businessman would translate into more votes.
"I thought we would do better. I was getting a lot of positive responses from people. A lot of people came out and voted for me. I was really happy about that. But it doesn't seem like it'd be enough to win the election."
Friedland said he is not discouraged and is thinking about attempting to run for office again.
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