The 2021 race is really on now.

Mayor Nancy Vaughan officially announced she was running for a fourth term as mayor of Greensboro in a video posted on her Facebook page on Saturday, Feb. 13  

Vaughan became mayor in 2013 when she defeated incumbent Mayor Robbie Perkins, and she easily won reelection in 2015 over Devin King.  In 2017, running for the first time for a four-year term, Vaughan defeated Diane Moffett who moved from Jamestown to Greensboro the night before she filed to run for mayor – a fact that did not help her election bid.

In 2021, it appears Vaughan will face her strongest opponent since she defeated Perkins.  District 3 City Councilmember Justin Outling officially launched his mayoral bid on Dec. 17, 2020.  Outling was appointed to the City Council in 2015 to serve out the term of District 3 Councilmember Zack Matheny, who resigned in order to accept the position as president of Downtown Greensboro Inc.  Outling then won elections in 2015 and 2017.

Outling has council experience, but not nearly as much as Vaughan who was first elected to the City Council as the District 4 councilmember in 1997.  She was reelected in 1999 and did not run for reelection in 2001.  Vaughan came back in 2009 to win an at-large seat on the City Council and served until being elected mayor in 2013.

In her announcement video, Vaughan says she is running for reelection and “I am choosing Valentines Day because I love our city and I know you do too.”

In keeping with that Valentines Day theme, Vaughan says, “I will continue to lead by example and listen to the heart of the city.”

She says, “I love our city and the people who call Greensboro home.”

And she ends with, “I love all of you and this city and that’s why I’m your mayor.”

Vaughan also talks about leading the city through difficult times and says, “I’ve been your voice for better jobs, safer communities, affordable housing and equal opportunities.  You know me.”

And she says, “I have without a doubt proven I know how to get things done.”

The announcement video plays right into the hands of Vaughan’s only announced opponent, Outling, who has been talking about the need for the City Council to concentrate on substance over symbolism.

In response to Vaughan’s announcement, Outling sent out a press release titled, “Sometimes Love is Not Enough.”

In that press release, Outling states, “All of us are in favor of safer streets, better housing, jobs, and a strong economy. I believe the people of this city want more than broad, sweeping statements.”

He adds, “They want substance over symbolism.  Progress over promises.”

Filing for the Greensboro municipal election opens in July with a primary, if needed, in October and the general election in November.