Roanoke Mayor's Race Heats Up As Candidates Trade Barbs on Single-Family Zoning, Racism

Henri Gendreau -
Roanoke’s mayoral campaign has grown spirited as three candidate forums in the last week were marked by feisty exchanges over policy and groan-inducing remarks on racism. Above, candidate David Bowers, Stephanie Moon Reynolds and Joe Cobb attend a forum Tuesday hosted by the Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce and Kiwanis Club at the City Market Building that was moderated by John Carlin, at right. PHOTO BY DAVID HUNGATE FOR THE ROANOKE RAMBLER

Roanoke’s mayoral campaign has grown spirited as three candidate forums in the last week were marked by feisty exchanges over policy and groan-inducing remarks on racism.

Republican nominee David Bowers and independent Councilwoman Stephanie Moon Reynolds jointly attacked Democratic Vice Mayor Joe Cobb over zoning and gun violence issues, while a remark from Bowers comparing U.S. chattel slavery to Britain’s treatment of the Irish stoked outrage.