By Josh Bergeron

josh.bergeron@salisburypost.com

KANNAPOLIS — After considering a run for the N.C. House of Representatives, Mayor Darrell Hinnant this week decided against running for higher political office but dished out heavy criticism of current State Rep. Carl Ford.

In a prepared statement, Hinnant said a number of people asked him to consider running for the 76th District seat in the N.C. House, currently held by Ford. When asked about his decision, Hinnant said the Kannapolis City Council’s downtown revitalization project was a primary reason.

“The decision has been one of the most difficult decisions of my life,” Hinnant wrote in his prepared statement.

Both Ford and Hinnant are registered Republicans. Ford lives just outside of the China Grove town limits and Hinnant, a business owner who was elected mayor in 2013, lives on the Rowan side of Kannapolis.

Hinnant, who visited the state legislature seven times in 2015, said he has become convinced residents of the 76th District need better representation than Ford, who is running for his third term.

“I am convinced that collaboration is the secret to success at the legislature,” Hinnant wrote. “If you review the incumbent’s voting record, you will find many votes that show huge majorities in which he voted with slim minorities. Representation means speaking with and for the people back home, not following a narrow philosophical idea that caters only to a few.”

The state has serious issues — transportation, education and economic development — and the 76th District’s representation should be “involved in crafting solutions, not watching from the sidelines,” Hinnant said.

In his prepared statement, Hinnant pondered how he would be most effective in representing his community. He answered the question with a description of the Kannapolis City Council’s current downtown revitalization. The city of Kannapolis in June finalized a deal to buy more than 40 acres of property in downtown for $8.75 million. A number of ideas have been floated about what to do with the property.

“The process will start with very important decisions that will have implications for generations to come,” Hinnant wrote.

Kannapolis’ 10-year capital plan is also filled with exciting projects, he said.

“I am committed to help provide the leadership, direction and support that many citizens expect,” Hinnant wrote. “At the same time, I plan to continue to develop relationships with surrounding communities so that our region can be successful.”

Hinnant said he is dedicated to eliminating poverty in the Kannapolis community. Investment and jobs are a solution to many of the issues that face the Kannapolis community, he said.

Hinnant ended the letter by saying he would continue to urge business people, citizens and neighbors to hold representatives accountable to what’s best for the community.

He later elaborated on the letter by saying that downtown isn’t the only important aspect of Kannapolis the City Council is concerned about.

When asked about future political plans, Hinnant said he wants to be the best possible advocate for Kannapolis and surrounding communities and was keeping all options open.

“If that turned out to be in Raleigh, then I’ll keep my options open to Raleigh,” he said. “If it turns out that I need another term in Kannapolis, then I’ll run for mayor. I’m not precluding anything.”

Contact reporter Josh Bergeron at 704-797-4246.