Redmond says she is running for Raleigh mayor

RALEIGH -- Billie Redmond opened her bid for mayor Thursday, telling a crowd of business executives that she wants to be "chief salesperson for the city of Raleigh."

Redmond said the city's unemployment troubles, coupled with uncertainty surrounding the sales of Progress Energy and RBC Bank, underscore the need for a seasoned business voice at City Hall.

In a 15-minute speech that offered broad themes and few specifics, Redmond said her priority would be recruiting jobs.

"We can find the balance between being business-friendly and protecting our environment, our neighborhoods and our quality of life," Redmond told 150 supporters in the lobby of the Occidental Life Insurance Building on Wade Avenue, headquarters of her real estate brokerage.

Redmond, a registered Republican, becomes the second candidate in the race to succeed Mayor Charles Meeker, who announced in May he wouldn't seek a record sixth consecutive term.

Opponent's take

Running a city involves more than catering to business interests, said Councilwoman Nancy McFarlane, who will run for mayor as an independent.

"It's also making sure you have clean air, transportation, arts and culture - there's a lot of different pieces," she said. "All of these things go into an environment that creates jobs."

Redmond, who is 4-foot-11, used a stool to reach the microphone at her announcement. "I love to say I'm a short speaker," she joked.

Redmond described herself as a feisty businesswoman who would reduce wait times for building permits and do more to help businesses navigate city requirements.

"Some people would say that means throwing out all the regulations," Redmond said in an interview, gesturing toward a group of Republican activists. "I don't mean that at all. But I do think we can be more accountable."

Redmond did not reveal any policy stances, saying she's working on a 10-point plan that will be released this summer.

Councilman John Odom, the council's lone Republican, said voters are ready for a conservative after 10 years under Meeker, a Democrat.

But Redmond is no right-wing partisan, he added. "I don't think she'll be totally unprogressive," Odom said. "I don't think Billie's going to go in and say, 'Let's cut the budget 30 percent.'

"Once you become mayor, you represent everybody in the city," he said.

Campaign records show Redmond has supported statewide candidates from both parties.

Redmond called Meeker a "good mayor" but said her business expertise is a better fit for tough economic times. That approach is not surprising given Meeker's popularity, said Andy Taylor, a political scientist at N.C. State University.

"She'll pick and choose parts of Meeker's record that coincide with her views, and ignore the rest," Taylor said.