A Guide to Charlotte City Council’s 2025 Primary Elections
Who is running and where
Thursday marked the start of early voting for Charlotte-Mecklenburg’s 2025 primary elections, which are likely to be the deciding elections in many of this year’s races due to the heavy Democratic majority in the county.
Find primary early voting times and locations around Charlotte on this map and calendar. Early voting will only take place at the Hal Marshall County Services Center in Uptown on weekdays through the end of the month before expanding to eight more sites from Sept. 2-6.
If you’re planning to wait until Election Day on Sept. 9, you’ll need to do so at your designated polling location, which you can find here.
Below, we’ve listed which races will appear on the primary ballot and some info on each candidate that’s running in those contested primary races.
City of Charlotte Mayor
Democratic Primary
Vi Lyles
Vi Lyles is running for her fifth term as mayor of the Queen City with the tagline, “The best thing about Charlotte is our people.” She found herself subject to some controversy alongside a few council members who voted in closed to approve a settlement for CMPD Chief Johnny Jennings as a proactive measure of appeasement for the chief, who had threatened to sue the city for harassing texts he received from then-council member Tariq Bokhari last summer.
Mayor Lyles has stood by the decision to settle with Jennings and this campaign season appears to be focused on lobbying for the passage of the one-cent sales tax referendum in November to fund the city’s transit plan.
Jaraun “Gemini” Boyd
Jaraun “Gemini” Boyd is a longtime community activist and peer support specialist at the Mecklenburg County Public Defender’s Office, where he helps folks impacted by the criminal system navigate the courts — a process he became familiar with after serving 20 years in federal prison. Boyd also founded the nonprofit organization Project B.O.L.T (Building Outstanding Lives Together) in 2017, providing communities with youth-focused programming, outreach and support.
“I’m not here to play politics with public safety,” Boyd states on his website. “We must be tough on violence — but also smart. That means investing in our youth, funding community violence prevention programs, and holding everyone — including police — accountable to the people.”
Delter K. Guin III
Delter Kenny Guin III decided to run for Mayor because he has seen a shift in the city, “while some truly for the better, ultimately a lot has been for the worst,” according to his website. Guin’s vision for Charlotte includes wider efforts to build affordable housing, end homelessness, combat crime and clean up the city’s streets.
“If we have a one-sided economy where a majority of workers in the city live in surrounding areas, we are not benefiting from that,” Guin wrote on his website. “Those sales tax, property tax and income tax are being paid in other cities when all we have is traffic congestion and skyscrapers, why? Because everyone is being priced out of Charlotte and can’t afford to live here.”
Brendan K. Maginnis
Brendan Maginnis is a former Marine, a small business owner, community organizer and stay-at-home father. Maginnis lost to Pamela Genant in the 2024 Democratic primary for the US House NC District 14, a seat that former NC House Speaker Tim Moore went on to win. He is now gunning for the mayoral seat with the tagline “Together for a transparent, thriving Charlotte.”
“Over the past 20 years the issues haven’t changed – improving affordability, creating economic opportunity, building infrastructure, and ensuring public safety. Unfortunately, the proposed solutions for those issues haven’t changed either,” Maginnis writes. “While progress has been made, there are many residents who have not felt Charlotte’s growth and prosperity in their own lives, and the lack of transparency and controversy around those decisions has been frustrating for all Charlotteans.”
Tigress Sydney Acute McDaniel
Repeat candidate Tigress Sydney Acute McDaniel is a Juris Doctor degree holder, economist and teacher with a large social media presence. McDaniel’s campaign centers on environmental sustainability and the climate crisis, budget and infrastructure, personnel management and collaboration, housing and economic stability, and curbing cultural division, disunity and inequity.
“Dr. McDaniel, unlike other candidates, can be wholly trusted to accurately communicate and liaise, and has no ulterior agenda,” read a press release announcing this year’s candidacy. “She is emotionally intelligent yet empathetic, tough yet fair and rational, moral yet progressive, objective yet unwavering as to diversity, equity and inclusion, and wonderfully qualified yet real and pragmatic, and remains connected to and shares the concerns and priorities of everyday Charlotteans.”
Charlotte City Council At-Large
Democratic Primary
Dimple Ajmera
Four-term incumbent Dimple Ajmera was the first Asian-American and youngest woman to be elected to Charlotte City Council. After immigrating to the US at age 16 and starting a successful career in finance, Ajmera was first elected as representative of District 5 in east Charlotte before winning her at-large race on a platform of public safety, affordable housing, environmental advocacy, women’s equality, economic development and infrastructure.
“A four-term City Council At Large representative, I ran – and won – my race on a proven record of achievements that include Public Safety, Affordable Housing, the Environment, Women’s Equality, Economic Development, and Infrastructure,” she writes on her website. “I have a passion to serve all Charlotteans and strive to be a positive role model for all.”
James (Smuggie) Mitchell Jr.
West Charlotte High School alumni and incumbent James “Smuggie” Mitchell spent much of his career working in construction as director of business development for Barton Maslow and president of R.J. Leeper Construction — a position that led Mitchell to resign from City Council in 2021 following stakeholder concerns related to R.J. Leeper Construction’s work with the city. He was reelected to council in 2022 and cleared of any wrongdoing by the Mecklenburg County District in 2023.
“Mitchell has always been a servant leader, after a brief absence from public office he decided there is more work to do in Charlotte,” reads his website. “It is because of that love of service that Mitchell filed to run and won an at-large seat in the 2022 elections.”
Mitchell has served as vice president of the Black Political Caucus and has the organization’s endorsement this election. He currently works as director of business development at McFarland Construction and is married to former NASA astronaut Joan Higginbotham, who graced our cover in September 2024.
LaWana Slack-Mayfield
Incumbent LaWana Slack-Mayfield served as a District 3 representative for eight years before taking a three-year hiatus then winning her at-large seat in 2022. Mayfield is endorsed by several LGBTQ+ organizations, the Charlotte-Metrolina Labor Council and the Black Political Caucus.
Listen: Nooze Hounds: At-Large City Council Rep LaWana Mayfield (2023)
Her priority issues include affordable housing, economic development, employment opportunities, and ending racial and gender bias to “create a city that is truly ‘Welcome to all,’” her website states. “I don’t play the game of politics. I do the work of service.”
Victoria Watlington
Incumbent Dr. Victoria Watlington is a licensed professional engineer and certified project manager, joining council in 2019 as a District 3 rep before winning an at-large seat in 2023. Her platform includes building strong neighborhoods, engaging community leaders, infrastructure and investing in workforce development.
“As a licensed Professional Engineer, certified Project Management Professional, and small business owner, Victoria has proven to bring both a progressive voice and a pragmatic approach to City Council,” reads her website.
In May, Watlington called actions by the council “unethical, immoral, and frankly, illegal” in relation to Jennings’ settlement, though has since walked back that language a bit. Regardless, she was not in support of the settlement as approved by the majority of her fellow council members.
Matt Britt
Former chair of local nonprofit Smart Start of Mecklenburg County and current marketing and communications strategist at Atrium Health, Matt Britt is making his first run for Charlotte City Council. His platform includes economic mobility and affordability, trust in leadership and strategic growth.
“Reliable, affordable public transit gives you the freedom to reach jobs, schools, healthcare, and everything Charlotte has to offer – without draining your wallet,” he writes in describing one of his campaign’s three pillars.
Will Holley
President of his local PTA and founder of Holley Construction, Will Holley’s vision for Charlotte in 2026 “centers on creating a city where everyone has the opportunity to thrive,” according to his website. One of his main goals is to reduce disparities in education, housing and employment by implementing inclusive programs.
Holley says that his son’s suicide was one of the defining moments in his life not only for the crushing tragedy of his loss but for the way it exposed the deep, dangerous gaps in the city and state’s mental health systems.
“The system told us they would be there, but they weren’t,” he writes. “The programs in place weren’t effective because they weren’t implemented with care or consistency. My son, and so many others, deserved better.”
J.G. Lockhart
J.G. Lockhart is co-host of The Fordcast and executive director of The Network for Empowering Women & Men Everywhere. “J.G.’s platform begins and ends with his belief in God and in the power of community,” Lockhart’s website states. Lockhart prioritizes transparent communication, community engagement, infrastructure development, public safety and sustainable growth.
“[Lockhart has] watched as outsiders, disconnected from Charlotte’s heart and history, try to reshape the city in their own image — often ignoring the voices of the people who built it,” his site reads. “He’s watched inner-city neighborhoods struggle while investment pours into the suburbs. He’s seen green spaces sacrificed, trees cut down, and culture erased — all in the name of progress that leaves too many behind.”
Namrata Yadav
Namrata “N.Y.” Yadav is not a career politician, her website emphasizes. “She’s a neighbor, a mentor, a mother, a corporate executive, and a proud Charlottean.” Her campaign promises accountability, business-driven solutions and community engagement and safety.
“Over the past decade, Charlotte has experienced incredible growth, but the benefits of that growth have not reached every neighborhood or family,” she writes on her website. “We need thoughtful, pragmatic leadership to ensure that progress benefits all of us—our neighbors, our families, and our businesses, large and small. Because a growing city must care for ALL its residents and ALL its businesses that fuel its future.”
On Aug. 21, Yadav announced that she had earned the endorsement of longtime community leader Hugh McColl, who cited her potential for providing “visionary leadership” on council.
Roderick Davis
Roderick A. Davis has run in the past for Charlotte City Council and mayor. He does not currently have a website that lists his platform.
Emerson Stoldt
Emerson Stoldt has withdrawn from this race, though his name will still show up on the primary election ballot.
District 1
Democratic Primary
Dante Anderson
Mayor Pro Tem and District 1 incumbent Dante Anderson grew up in Southside Homes in what is now South End. She is running “because every Charlotte resident deserves access to affordable housing, living wages and the right to live and thrive in safe communities,” her website said.
Listen: Nooze Hounds: City Council District 1 Rep-Elect Dante Anderson (2022)
“Charlotte is a destination of choice. Daily, new families and young professionals call Charlotte home. Companies establish outposts here, looking for workforce pipelines, tech talent, safe neighborhoods, and good schools,” she continued. “As your City Council Member I commit to working with other members of City Council to address the disparities that affect our community.”
Charlene Henderson
A longtime community leader in the historic Hidden Valley neighborhood, Charlene Henderson is chair of Precinct #82 for the Mecklenburg County Democratic Party, working to mobilize voters and amplify the needs of historically ignored neighborhoods, her website said.
Henderson also serves on the city’s Community Relations Committee and Business Advisory Committee. Her campaign highlights safe, supported communities, community-centered growth, investing in stability and opportunities, and access to public spaces.
“I truly have built a lifetime of experiences that gives me insight to how the city needs a more common approach to its needs,” Henderson writes on her website. “We have enough scholars and degrees and career politicians. It’s time for Authenticity and Empathy and Trust building. I am relatable, and in touch with concerns of ordinary people.”
District 3
Democratic Primary
Tiawana Brown
Incumbent Tiawana Brown founded Beauty After the Bars after serving four years in federal prison on fraud charges. Brown and two of her daughters were indicted for wire fraud conspiracy and wire fraud in relation to COVID relief funds in May. Brown and her daughters pleaded not guilty.
Many of her constituents have stood behind her, unbothered by the allegations of activity that was said to have occurred before Brown was elected to council. The self-proclaimed “People’s Choice” has stood in solidarity with the People’s Budget Coalition, airport workers calling for better working conditions and fair pay, and community-led programming such as Alternatives to Violence.
Listen: Nooze Hounds: Tiawana Brown, founder of Beauty After the Bars (2023)
“Tiawana is leading efforts to attract more investment into under-resourced areas by leveraging innovative financial tools that reduce barriers and expand access to economic opportunities for everyday residents,” her website reads. “Her goal is clear: to ensure that prosperity is not limited to one side of the city—but shared by all.”
Joi Mayo
Joi Mayo is a former middle school math teacher who founded and serves as board chair for Transforming Nations Ford, a community development nonprofit that advocates for the Nations Ford/Arrowood Road corridor. Mayo also serves as a board member on Steele Creek Community Place.
Mayo’s campaign centers on affordable housing, equitable development and community empowerment. She has been endorsed by the Black Political Caucus, with one vote separating her from Tiawana Brown for the endorsement.
Listen: Nooze Hounds: Joi Mayo Is Transforming Nations Ford (2024)
“Joi is running for Charlotte City Council District 3 because she knows firsthand what serving, organizing, and leading mean,” her website reads. “She’s experienced the power of neighborhood unity and the frustration of being overlooked by city and county policies and investments. Her campaign is rooted in real experience and real results.”
Warren F. Turner
Warren Turner served as a councilman from 2003-2011, during which he was accused of sexually harassing female city employees. Turner was voted out of office following the claims and he is now looking to make a comeback despite offering no real explanation for his past misdeeds.
“Charlotte City Council does not need another activist,” he states on his website. “Charlotte needs forward thinkers who can address the bigger issues that are threatening the quality of our lives in areas of public safety, crime, and the threat of drugs like fentanyl and heroin. Charlotte needs candidates with the ability to move the city forward by fighting for a safer place to live, work, and play.”
Montravias King (D)
Montravias King announced his decision to withdraw from this race and publicly endorsed Tiawana Brown for District 3. His name will still show up on the primary election ballot.
District 4
Democratic Primary
Reneé Perkins Johnson
Incumbent Reneé Perkins Johnson is the founder and executive director of Triumph Services, an organization that provides behavioral health services to survivors of traumatic brain injuries.
Johnson was elected to Charlotte City Council in 2019 and has a strong focus on affordable housing solutions, re-entry housing and Medicaid administration. She has been upfront about her opposition to the Unified Development Ordinance and her hopes to amend it in a way that would curb by-right density.
Listen: Nooze Hounds: Charlotte City Council Rep Reneé Johnson (2024)
“Fighting to change broken systems isn’t easy, but I’ve never shied away from doing what’s right,” Johnson writes on her website. “Whether it’s standing up for union workers demanding safer conditions, advocating for equitable housing, or challenging processes that silence critical issues—like the need for better support for individuals with brain injury—before they even reach a vote.”
Wil Russel
Having challenged Johnson in District 4 in 2023 only to lose by less than 500 votes, Wil Russel has returned for another run at the seat. Russell is an affordable housing construction manager at Laurel Street who is running a campaign focused on providing better housing, improved transit systems, supporting small businesses, and clean and safer communities.
“Wil believes that the current residents of District 4 built this community into a great place, and they deserve to remain here and flourish,” his website reads. “As the community grows, he wants to manage growth so that our community does not lose its personality and feel.”
District 5
Democratic Primary
Marjorie Molina
Incumbent Marjorie Molina is seeking another term to expand on her platform of housing preservation, child-forward investments, modernized infrastructure and expanding the SparkCentro model. Molina has been involved in major projects like recruiting businesses to join the Eastland Yards redevelopment and securing funding for the Corridors of Opportunity in her district.
“We’re building a city that reflects the people who live here. That means protecting what we’ve built and investing in what’s next,” Molina’s website reads. “We’ve delivered historic housing protections, guided major economic projects, and negotiated landmark investments for East Charlotte and beyond. Now we keep going—together.”
Juan Diego “JD” Mazuera Arias
Juan Diego Mazuera Arias is the son of working-class Colombian immigrants. Arias is the chair of the Hispanic Democratic Caucus of Mecklenburg County and founder of the North Carolina Latino Political Caucus. Arias is running “to bring East Charlotte’s voice back to City Hall and bring the power of City Hall back to East Charlotte,” according to his website.
Arias said he decided to run based on complaints he heard from community members about a lack of transparency and communication from the current rep, a claim that Molina firmly denied during a recent town hall debate organized by CharlotteEAST. It’s worth noting that early in his campaign Arias earned the endorsements of some big names in local politics including NC Rep. Jordan Lopez, former mayor Jennifer Roberts and CMS Board of Education rep Liz Monterrey.
“It’s time for an East Charlotte where working families can thrive, small businesses are supported, transit is reliable, housing is affordable, and our kids can grow up to say they’re proud to be from here,” Arias writes on his site.
District 6
Republican Primary
Krista Bokhari (R)
Krista Bokhari is running to replace her husband Tariq Bokhari as District 6 representative. The former marketing director in the manufacturing, hospitality and tourism industry hopes to bring “checks and balances” to city council.
Krista was close to replacing Tariq in the interim role after her husband took a job in the Trump administration, but a tie-breaking vote from Mayor Lyles put Edwin Peacock III into the seat. Krista, who has been outspoken in her opposition to the settlement that council reached with CMPD Chief Johnny Jennings in the wake of his dust-up with Tariq, has earned endorsements from a number of local Republicans and conservative organizations.
“Krista has been deeply involved in her children’s schools, neighborhood initiatives, and civic conversations that affect working families across South Charlotte,” Bohari’s website reads. “She brings the real-world perspective of a mother raising kids in the city—someone who understands the importance of public safety, responsible growth, and honest government.”
Sary Chakra (R)
Small business owner Sary Chakra was born and raised in Charlotte and is running a campaign centering infrastructure and roads, fiscal responsibility, transparency and accountability as well as increasing support for law enforcement and community policing.
“Sary has built his career in real estate and construction, working to grow the city and maintain its vital infrastructure,” his website reads. “He knows the challenges facing working families and local businesses because he has lived them, from job sites and neighborhood boards to small business meetings.”
