QCity Metro29%
Charlotte mayor says he wants to protect 'opportunities' amid state DEI limits 42%
By Glenn H. Burkins23%
7/10/2026, 9:57:59 AM
BS Summary: This article contains 24 faulty reasoning types, including Framing Effect, In-Group Bias, and Appeal to Authority, with Optimism Bias as the most egregious example at 9.7% saturation with 107 hits. Analysis detected 974 faulty-reasoning hits from 1,102 analyzed words, generating a BS Score of 46% and a BS Rank of 42% (12,814 of 21,886 articles). This article is better (less manipulative) than 58.50% of the article peer group.
As Republican lawmakers in Raleigh enact sweeping new laws that eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) in state and local governments, Charlotte’s new mayor said the city must work within those laws without abandoning its commitment to provide economic opportunities.
"I think we're gonna have to, "Mayor Robert Harrington said in his first interview with QCity Metro since being sworn in on July 1 to finish the final 18 months of former Mayor Vi Lyles’ term.
Harrington, a lawyer by profession who has said he wants to bring people together, did not offer specifics.
"We've had the advantage of hearing some of the stuff that came out of Washington in terms of executive orders in the past year or two, and now we've got this additional piece from the state,” he said.
“We clearly are going to follow state law, and we're gonna follow state law in a manner that allows us to continue to build on opportunities as best we can for the citizens.
“But even when we disagree,” he added, “we respect the fact that the General Assembly has laid down some rules, and we're gonna work within those rules.
But we're gonna work very hard — talking to the (city) manager and talking to the (city) manager's office — we're gonna work very hard to provide opportunities for citizens and small businesses in Charlotte."
Before heading home for the Fourth of July, Republicans in the General Assembly overrode four of Democratic Gov.
Josh Stein’s vetoes, including provisions relating to immigration ( Senate Bill 153 ) and DEI in public education ( Senate Bill 227 ) and higher education ( Senate Bill 558 ).
When lawmakers return on July 27, the Republican majority is expected to move quickly to override Stein’s veto of House Bill 171 , a measure that prohibits DEI policies in state and local governments.
(The House has already voted to override the governor’s veto.)
If enacted, House Bill 171 would take direct aim at Charlotte’s Business INClusion (CBI) Program , which, according to the city’s website, “seeks to enhance competition and participation of Minority, Women, and Small Business Enterprises (MWSBEs) in city contracting.”
Since taking office, Harrington said, his priority has been getting briefed on key issues and getting to know the council members, “some of whom I've known for 20 years, some of whom I've met during this process.”
“I think us getting to know each other and forming relationships is a really important part of me coming in,” he said.
How City Council functions
When asked about reports of dysfunction among City Council members, Harrington said he preferred to look forward.
“I think there is an opportunity for us to — I've looked at it as phases.
I think we need to get to know each other and build on a trust level among the group who find themselves as elected and appointed officials at this particular time,” he said.
“And I think from that, then we can make sure that our meetings — I mean, we act through meetings — that people feel like they got heard … and I'm confident that we can do that."
“I want to leave the elected layer of city government functioning as well as we can, realizing that there are lots of folks with different views and different aspirations,” he added.
“There are folks who have got different political aspirations.
But bringing that together and looking back and saying, ‘You know, you did as much as you could during an 18-month period to build in that area.’
That was what I talked about primarily during the interview process for this role — experience as a lawyer, the skill of listening and discerning.”
The mayor's "bully pulpit"
"I think the mayor's job is, you've got the bully pulpit.
You're the person that people are going to come and interview.
You're the primary spokesperson for the city, but it's the behind-the-scenes that I think allows you to do that well — making sure that we're hearing each other.
“We're gonna disagree at times, and that's fine, but making sure we hear each other and that we're working well as a group of stakeholders, including the (city) manager and the council."
On Charlotte's top officials
Beyond City Council, Harrington said he likes Charlotte’s top management team — the appointed officials who enact council policies and run the city day-to-day.
"From what I've seen, I love the team that's in place,” he said.
“The police chief is relatively new.
Her reputation I hear about even elsewhere in the state.
The folks in legislative and state government positions in Raleigh greatly respect her.
I think the same is true with the (city) manager.
We've got a really good team in place.
I keep reminding people that I'm a lawyer who's mayor, or a mayor who happens to be a lawyer, and that's our lawyer [the city attorney].
I certainly don't come in looking for any change, and I hope we can keep a great team intact."
The future of Interstate 77 will present an immediate challenge for the new mayor and council.
Under a provision in the new state budget, the Charlotte-area municipalities that voted to nix an I-77 expansion and toll-road plan must either change their votes or reimburse the state about $60 million spent on the project, which is soundly opposed by some neighborhood and community groups.
A decision must be made within 90 days of the budget’s passage.
"We're working through it,” Harrington said.
“The budget bill has been signed, and it's 800 pages.
There's an area focused on 77 and the investment from the state, but we need to make sure we understand how all of the pieces fit together.
… Our job is for the city to be a leader in a process that engages the voices, sees that good information is shared, and then we'll see where it comes out."
When asked where he stood personally on the question of I-77 expansion, Harrington said, “My view is that we need to make sure that we reach a solid resolution — I won't say solution, but a solid resolution — and I hope that we can have all the voices heard and come to a good outcome.
"I won't get into the details of how all that fits together,” he added.
“I want to work with the manager and work with the (city) attorney and figure out how those pieces fit together.
I hope we're able to come up with the most productive solution possible."
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