At large: in case you haven't looked up the results already
In case you haven't looked at the returns, from tomorrow's at large council election story:
GREENSBORO - Her campaign has but a fraction of the cash her two closest opponents have raised. But this morning, Mary Rakestraw leads where it matters: In votes.On Tuesday, the former Guilford County commissioner placed a surprising, solid first in the race for one of three at-large seats on the Greensboro City Council.
To the surprise of nobody, a pair of well-known and well-monied at-large candidates - Councilwoman Sandra Anderson Groat and former Councilman Robbie Perkins - also finished in the top three.
That's based on the complete but unofficial results of Tuesday's primary election.
Three other candidates who survived the primary? Bill Knight, Kevin Green and Marikay Abuzuaiter will have to work hard - and raise money feverishly - if they are to usurp one of the big three on Nov. 6.
Were you to ask me to gaze into my navel and tell you what I think the election results mean, I'd say that each of the winners or near-winners had a core-constituency they brought to the table.
Joel Landau, who placed seventh and therefore just out the money, brought the environmental vote to his side. Rakestraw, I would be dollars-to-donuts, did will off the endorsement of the Rhinoceros Times and her focus on the police situation. Robbie Perkins rocked the vote in District 3 as well, I would think, among business-friendly constituencies.
Etc...
In such a crowded race, you needed a strong core of active voters to build upon. Then things like name recognition, actually policies, etc... could come into play.
My other guess is you are going to see Perkins and Groat pour on the gas (or campaign spending) over the next month. Their strong showing is going to give them the ability to raise more cash more easily. Clear out some space in your mail box, because the direct mail is almost certainly a'coming.
Meanwhile the other candidates are going to have to convince donors that they can make up the ground during the next month.