ANERALLA
Nov. 15. By Dave Yochum. Huntersville Mayor John Aneralla is “seriously considering” running for Congress in North Carolina’s new 13th district. Aneralla, who is in the final weeks of his third term as mayor, chose not to run for re-election.
“I’m getting calls, instead of making calls,” the conservative Republican said after NC Rep. Tim Moore announced late last week he would not throw his hat in the ring.
Cawthorn announced
US Rep. Madison Cawthorn stunned GOP leaders statewide when he said he would switch districts and run in the 13th. The district includes north and west Mecklenburg County, as well as Gaston, Cleveland, Rutherford, Polk, McDowell and Burke counties.
BENTLEY
Former Mecklenburg County Commissioner Karen Bentley, a Republican from Huntersville, and Tyler Lee, a Charlotte real estate investor, have announced they will run.
Cawthorn, a nationally known conservative firebrand who currently represents the 11th congressional district, said he feared that another “establishment, go-along-to-get-along Republican” would prevail in the 13th district if he didn’t run here.
His announcement on Twitter has more than 170,000 views.
Quarter century track record
Aneralla, 59, is known for conservative yet independent leadership that includes coming out early against I-77 toll lanes when other GOP leaders were in favor.
He said Moore’s decision not to run changed the dynamics in the race. “He has been a good leader,” Aneralla said, “but now the dynamics have changed.”
He is starting to receive calls from people throughout the district, including some national figures.
Aneralla has been a figure in state politics for a quarter century.
“I’m dusting off the Rolodex and calling people,” Aneralla said, “but I’m still discussing with friends and family if this is something we want to move forward with.”
The New York native is an investment advisor for Bulldog Asset Management, an investment advisory firm that he established in 2004.
Aneralla is a member of the North Carolina State Teachers & Local Government Pension Board.
Photo by Jason Benavides
