21-06-2025
Concord mayor won't seek reelection. Two other candidates announce bids
Concord Mayor Bill Dusch told The Charlotte Observer Friday he will not seek reelection to the seat he has held since 2017.
Dusch's seat will be up for grabs during Concord's municipal election on Nov. 4. Cities and Towns across North Carolina including Charlotte, Huntersville, Cornelius, Matthews and Kannapolis will host elections for mayor on the same day.
'I've been involved with the city for 36 years… and been mayor for eight years,' Dusch told the Observer. 'At the age of 72, I think it's time to look at my next endeavors in life.'
During his time as mayor, Dusch said he was most proud of the city's economic development, recreational improvements and the new businesses that were drawn into the developing downtown.
He said he hopes whoever becomes the next mayor continues to work closely with city staff including City Manager Lloyd Payne and City Attorney VaLerie Kolczynski.
'I would love for whoever replaces me to continue the efforts and have the good teamwork we have with our council and with our city staff,' Dusch said. 'We work well together. I want to continue that.'
Former Cabarrus County Commissioner Steve Morris announced Friday morning he would run for the mayoral seat. Morris, a Republican, served on the commission for 12 years and acted as chair for a decade.
Morris has lived in Concord for over 40 years, he said.'I'm just extremely encouraged and excited about the future, both for me and for the city of Concord,' Morris told the Observer.
Morris lost his bid for reelection to the commission in 2024, receiving 160 fewer votes than Commissioner Larry Pittman.
In May, Commissioners Kenny Wortman and Lynn Shue both told The Observer they wanted Morris to fill a vacant seat on the commission. Ultimately the seat was filled by Jeff Jones. Wortman and Shue tend to vote opposite Pittman.
Morris said in a news release his vision for the city includes improving transportation, expanding housing options and ensuring public safety.
'My top priority is something we don't talk about enough: a government that works,' Morris wrote.
Concord City Councilwoman Lori Clay also announced she would run for the seat at a news conference Friday afternoon. If she won, Clay would be the first female mayor of Concord.
'It will be very historic for Concord to have a woman mayor. We have never had one. We've only ever had one other woman mayoral candidate,' Clay told the Observer. 'It's time for old Concord.'
Clay, a Republican, took office in 2023 and is set to serve a four-year term on the council.
Clay told the Observer her priorities if elected are managing growth, helping small businesses and being fiscally conservative.
'My sole focus is, and always will be, the citizens of the city,' she said.
