CHARLOTTE, N.C. – For the first time in history, Charlotte voters have elected an openly gay person to a seat on the city council.
LaWana Mayfield won her seat Tuesday as part of a Democratic wave in North Carolina’s largest city. In addition to holding the mayor’s office, Democrats increased their margin on the city council, now holding 9 of 11 seats.
Mayfield is a longtime community activist whose credentials range from supervising relief work after Hurricane Katrina to serving as a board of advisors member for the Charlotte Lesbian and Gay Fund.
She says she hopes her victory might pave the way for others, but says voters chose her based on years of community work rather than her identity.
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