Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles isn't shifting her campaign strategy after criticism over violent crime

Yes, but: Reelection prospects are strong for Lyles, a moderate who is considered business-friendly. Charlotte has a largely Democratic voter base, with a tendency to re-elect incumbents.

• Her Libertarian opponent, Rob Yates, has previously run for office unsuccessfully.
• And the Republican candidate, Terrie Donovan, is a political newcomer who was not present at the Sarah Stevenson Tuesday Forum.
• No competitive candidates emerged in the Democratic primaries, either. Former mayor Jennifer Roberts considered going against Lyles but ultimately decided not to.

State of play: The light rail stabbing cast a national spotlight on Charlotte's violent crime and Mecklenburg County's issue of releasing repeat offenders.

• Charlotte City Council has, in recent years, framed crime largely as a perception problem. Statistics show that violent crime is declining.
• The city has attempted to deter crime by improving police presence, leaving on patrol cars' blue lights and sending trained civilians to minor crashes instead of using sworn officers. It's expected to announce new security enhancements for the transit system on Wednesday.

What they're saying: An audience member, who called the hearing "political posturing," asked Lyles during the forum how she would unite members of both parties to solve Charlotte's safety challenges.

• The mayor said the question made her realize the city had been thinking of its issues in a "singular" way and needs to invite other stakeholders into its discussions.
• Lyles praised Alma Adams for speaking at a protest before the hearing. Alma was advocating for holistic solutions — including mental health resources — and funding for additional prosecutors. Alma called the Congressional hearing "political theater."
• "In all of these situations, there's always going to be grandstanding," Lyles said at Tuesday's forum.