CHARLOTTE -- The woman who is second in command to the mayor of North Carolina's largest city has won a bid to replace her.
Charlotte Mayor Pro Tempore Vi Lyles defeated incumbent Jennifer Roberts in the Democratic mayoral primary on Tuesday. Before all the votes were counted, Roberts conceded the race to Lyles.
"I have enjoyed being in this campaign with her [Lyles] because she has been positive, and we are going to be positive with her," said Roberts. "And, we are going to make sure that democratic values win in this city council mayoral race in November."
Lyles recieved 46 percent of the vote to 36 percent for Roberts. State Sen. Joel Ford was third with 15 percent.
Lyles will face Kenny Smith, the runaway winner in the Republican primary who served with Lyles on the Charlotte City Council.
Smith had garnered nearly 89 percent of the vote with most precincts reporting. He beat two candidates who didn't raise any money in the Republican primary.
The general election is scheduled for Nov. 7.
Although Roberts' two years in office were marked by controversy, she was considered to be the favorite in a low turnout election.
Her term as mayor ends in December.