"If the issue is the economy, then why aren't we focusing on the economy?" Peacock told The Associated Press.
The city also faces serious economic challenges.
The owner of a financial investment company, Peacock, 43,Aaron Gordon Jersey, made an unsuccessful bid last year for the Republican nomination in the 9th Congressional District. But the former city councilman impressed voters by campaigning as a moderate; he opposed a statewide amendment last year that banned same-sex marriage.
But if he wins, Peacock said it will prove that a "business-minded, pragmatic, centrist Republican can win" in a Democratic city because he's reaching out to Democrats, Latinos, African-Americans.
GOP lawmakers have tried to wrest control of the city-run airport — the nation's sixth busiest — from Charlotte officials and replace it with a 13-member authority. The city has filed a lawsuit to prevent the takeover, and both candidates support keeping Charlotte Douglas Airport in city hands.
Cannon or Peacock will replace Anthony Foxx,Bob Uecker Jersey, who was appointed by President Barack Obama as U.S. Transportation Secretary.
Still, the candidates say the city of 760,000 is at a crossroads — with challenges ahead, including job creation. And the two would rather talk about that future than engage in attacks.
"I wasn't going to do that," he said, pointing to one of his campaign commercials that promotes unity. "If a good idea comes from Democrats or Republicans, who cares? I'm running for mayor to provide the leadership, to get us moving . forward," Peacock says in the ad.
For the most part, however, they've been touting ways to improve the local economy, which voters call the most pressing issue.
While the city manager runs daily operations, the mayor helps set policy, and whoever wins Tuesday's election will face tough decisions.
Republicans took control of the state Legislature in 2010 for the first time since Reconstruction and cemented full control of state government with the election of McCrory in November. In just nine months,Wholesale Jerseys China, lawmakers implemented a conservative platform. The General Assembly refused to expand Medicaid, cut unemployment benefits and abolished the earned-income tax credit, which serves low- to middle-income people.
Both candidates talk about improving the city by diversifying its economy — Charlotte is home to Duke Energy, the nation's largest utility by number of customers, and US Airways has a hub at the airport — and do so without ripping into the other guy.
Debbie Lake, 31, is a teacher and says she's tired of politicians "fighting all the time" and will vote for Peacock. "You want politicians working together to solve problems,Wholesale Shoes Australia Online, to get things done," she said.
For Peacock: "I have said time and time again, I think we're living off past glory."
And he noted that Republicans have won in Charlotte before: Pat McCrory, a Republican, spent 14 years as mayor before being elected governor in 2012.
"I think the reason you don't see politics being played in Charlotte the way you see it played in other cities is that it's simply not the Charlotte way. And it's certainly not my way," Cannon said in an interview.
Peacock criticized Cannon for a city deal to provide $87.5 million for upgrades to the Carolina Panthers' stadium in exchange for a commitment to stay in Charlotte at least another six years. Peacock said public trust was violated because the package was negotiated behind closed doors. But Cannon said he didn't take part in negotiations because he asked to be recused; his parking company has a contract with the Panthers.
Instead, Democrat Patrick Cannon and Republican Edwin Peacock have tried to stay focused on the critical issues facing Charlotte, the election remaining a low-key affair in a city that has become one of the nation's leading banking and energy centers.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — In North Carolina's largest city, the mayoral race has seen no mudslinging. No blistering attack ads like those in state and national races in which divisive partisanship has become normal.
It doesn't mean the candidates haven't sparred in debates,Antonio Blakeney Jersey.
He knows he's at a disadvantage — 50 percent of Charlotte's 550,000 registered voters are Democrats. About 23 percent are Republicans, the rest unaffiliated.
"It's been tough around here the last f

Atlanta lost projected starting right tackle Mike Johnson,Wholesale Jerseys China, likely for the season, when he dislocated his left ankle and broke his left leg in Tuesday's practice.
Harry Douglas turned a screen pass from Ryan into a 42-yard gain, but the drive stalled when Geno Atkins stuffed Jackson on third-and-2 run from the 16, forcing the Falcons to settle for Matt Bryant's 37-yard field goal.

On the first play of the game, Jackson ran straight ahead,Kanken Backpack Sale, found no room and cut right for 4 yards. It was his longest run of the night, but Ryan insisted it was a good beginning.
Some observers expect Bernard and Green-Ellis to share the job this season.
NOTES: Bengals CB Brandon Ghee,Cheap Soccer Jerseys For Sale, who intercepted a pass from Davis in the second quarter, left with a head injury. ... Bengals G Tanner Hawkinson was carted off the field midway through the fourth quarter with an ankle injury. ... Falcons TE Tony Gonzalez, participating in only portions of training camp as part of his agreement to postpone his retirement, was away with his family. ... Bengals DT Larry Black, who dislocated his right ankle during practice last month, cleared waivers and was placed on injured reserve.
Skelton took over for Johnson late in the third quarter and led a 78-yard touchdown drive finished off with his 36-yard scoring pass to Sanzenbacher, a third-year player who had only one catch in 2012. He completed 4 of 5 passes for 72 yards.
Lined up deep in the I-formation, Bernard showed his explosiveness by quickly building his speed even before taking the handoff from Johnson and then running straight ahead for the touchdown with 2 seconds remaining in the half.
Dane Sanzenbacher had a 71-yard punt return for a touchdown and a 36-yard scoring catch from Skelton.
Dalton played only two possessions and went 3 of 7 for 36 yards,Wholesale Jerseys China.
Johnson led the Bengals to 17 second-quarter points and another field goal in the third quarter.
ATLANTA (AP) — Two Bengals newcomers showed they can provide offense to help the team as it chases an elusive postseason win.
"We're going to evaluate this tape and we've got to make that decision, but we're not going to evaluate it on only one game," Smith said.
Johnson made big plays as a passer and runner as he opened the competition with John Skelton for the Bengals' backup quarterback job behind Andy Dalton. Johnson passed for 100 yards, including a 21-yard touchdown to Brandon Tate, and ran for 64 yards.
Bernard, a second-round pick from North Carolina, played behind returning starter Benjarvus Green-Ellis and had 10 carries for 28 yards, including a 1-yard touchdown run. He added three catches for 16 yards.
Free-agent signee Steven Jackson wasn't given enough blocking to make a splash in his first Atlanta home game.
Dominique Davis, mostly ineffective after replacing Ryan in the first half, led a third-quarter touchdown drive capped by his 8-yard pass to Jason Snelling. Davis hit 8 of 19 for 78 yards with one touchdown and one interception.
Giovani Bernard scored in his opening bid for a share of the Bengals' carries, Josh Johnson led two second-quarter touchdown drives, and Cincinnati rolled to a 34-10 preseason win over Atlanta on Thursday night.
"We'll complement each other really well," Bernard said. "I think people got a little taste of it tonight."
"I was impressed overall with what he did out there," said Bengals coach Marvin Lewis of Johnson. "We know he can make plays with his legs, but throwing the ball is how a quarterback has to make a living in this league, and it was a real nice play to Brandon Tate."
Lamar Holmes, a second-year player who appeared in only one game in 2012, moved up. Undrafted rookie Ryan Schraeder played behind Holmes. The Falcons released right tackle Tyson Clabo after the 2012 season and longtime starting center Todd McClure retired.
Coach Mike Smith said it's too early to determine if the team needs to look for help on the line.
Ryan was 6 of 9 for 89 yards on three series.
"I played pretty well," Johnson said. "I was able to move the ball."
The game highlighted the Falcons' concerns about their rebuilt offensive line,China Jerseys. Jackson found little blocking as he had five carries for only 8 yards.
The Falcons had a fast start. Matt Ryan was 3 for 3 for 52 yards on Atlanta's opening drive, his first with Jackson at running back. Jackson,Scarpe Nike Air Force Just Do It</a

"When you put your guts out there for three hours, collectively, sometimes it's hard to swallow those kinds of defeats," coach Jason Garrett said. "What we need to do as a football team is learn from what just happened and find a way, in all three phases, to win this kind of game,Ultra Boost Cheap China, and do what we need to do to win the game. They did that and we didn't and we have to live with that, but we have to learn from it."
Bryant first lost his cool by interrupting a sideline chat between Tony Romo and quarterbacks coach Wade Wilson, with Garrett and receivers coach Derek Dooley trying unsuccessfully to act as peacemakers.