Election results: Mayor Lyles sweeps despite light rail stabbing criticism
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Charlotte Democratic Mayor Vi Lyles has swept another primary, nearly clearing the path for her win in November, despite the Aug. 22 light rail stabbing rising in national attention on Election Day.
- In a separate, closely watched race, councilmember Tiawana Brown, facing a federal indictment, lost her District 3 race.
Why it matters: While municipal primaries often go under the radar, city council makes consequential decisions about the future of the city and the spending of your tax dollars on a range of priorities, like police and transit, for instance.
The big picture: So far, the next council will comprise Democrats Dante Anderson (District 1), Malcolm Graham (District 2), Renee Perkins Johnson (District 4) and Republican Ed Driggs (District 7). These candidates face no challengers in the November general election.
Mayor: Vi Lyles
Lyles, who is running for a fifth term, defeated four challengers to be the Democratic nominee for mayor.
By the numbers: 70.75% of the votes.
The intrigue: Republicans in particular are framing the Democratic-dominant City of Charlotte's government as soft on crime and demanding accountability following the recent fatal light rail stabbing. Federal and state agencies announced investigations into the city government Tuesday.
What's next: Lyles faces Republican candidate Terrie D. Donovan and Libertarian Rob Yates in the general election.
At-Large: Incumbents sweep
Six candidates failed to oust any of the current council members. The sitting officials dominated the Democratic primary in the at-large race.
By the numbers: Dimple Ajmera was the top vote getter with 20.78% of the votes.
- LaWana Slack-Mayfield: 17.49%
- James "Smuggie" Mitchell: 16.13%
- Victoria Watlington: 15.60%
What's next: In the general election, voters will choose from these four, plus two Republicans: sitting District 6 council member Edwin Peacock and Misun Kim.
- Peacock is currently filling the seat vacated by Tariq Bokhari, who left council to take a job in the Trump administration. Peacock was the last Republican at-large council member from 2007 to 2011.
District 1: Dante Anderson
Dante Anderson, Charlotte's mayor pro tem, will serve a second term after besting Charlene Henderson El.
By the numbers: 68.64%
District 3: Joi Mayo
Joi Mayo has ousted sitting council member Tiawana Brown in west Charlotte.
By the numbers: 49.48%
The intrigue: With Brown facing a federal indictment, this was one of the most competitive and dramatic races of the primaries.
- Brown is accused of securing $124,000 in pandemic loans in 2021 and spending the funds on personal and luxury items.
What's next: Mayo will face Republican James Bowers in November.
- Mayo is the founder of the nonprofit Transforming Nations Ford and a board member of Steele Creek Community Place, among other community leadership positions.
District 4: Renee Perkins Johnson
Renee Perkins Johnson will go on to serve another term after fending off her Democratic challenger, Wil Russell.
By the numbers: 67.85%
District 5: Juan Diego Mazuera Arias
In the closest race of the night, Juan Diego Mazuera Arias led with 37 votes against two-term Marjorie Molina. A recount is possible.
- Mazuera Arias, a Colombian immigrant and longtime east Charlotte resident, has campaigned against Molina by suggesting she has not been present or communicative.
By the numbers: 50.31%
District 6: Krista Bokhari
Krista Bokhari, the wife of former councilmember Tariq Bokhari, won against Sary Chakra in Charlotte's only Republican primary.
By the numbers: 76.13%
What's next: Bokhari will face Democrat Kimberly Owens in what's bound to be the most competitive election in November. South Charlotte is well split between red and blue voters, and 43% of voters are unaffiliated.
- Before his resignation, Tariq Bokhari held onto the seat as a Republican, beating his Democratic opponent in the past two elections by only a few hundred votes.
Voter turnout:
42,442 voters (7.97%) cast ballots in this primary.
- To compare, in the September 2023 primary, 23,764 (4.92%) voters turned out.
What's next
- Election Day: Tuesday, Nov. 4
- Early Voting: Thursday, Oct. 16 — Saturday, Nov. 1
- Absentee ballots mailed out: Starting Friday, Oct. 3
- Last day to register to vote on Election Day: Friday, Oct. 10