Elections

Darrell Bonapart advocates for east, west sides in bid for Charlotte City Council at-large


Democrat Darrell Bonapart at a campaign event in 2015.
Democrat Darrell Bonapart at a campaign event in 2015. rlahser@charlotteobserver.com

Ten years ago Democrat Darrell Bonapart made his first run for Charlotte’s city council. Now he’s making his fifth.

In between Bonapart has found other ways to serve his city and east Charlotte community, serving on boards and taking leadership roles.

“I’m committed to the future of my community and the city where I live,” he says. “That’s why I stay persistent.”

He’s running on three issues: homelessness, transportation and economic development. He started a group to help homeless school kids. He supports more mass transit alternatives commuters. And he wants to revitalize areas of the east and west sides “for a balanced share of a prospering economy.”

A native Charlottean, Bonapart is an Army Iraq war veteran and served 15 years in the National Guard. He’s stayed active despite not holding office.

Bonapart is a past chair of the Charlotte East Community Partners and has fought to bring more business to the east side. He’s on the board of an agency that helps abused children.

He also has stayed active in his party, vying last year for a vacant N.C. Senate seat.

“Not getting more votes doesn’t make me unqualified,” he says.

Jim Morrill

Biography

Age: 46

Hometown: Charlotte

Family: Married, two children.

Education: B.S. in business, Rutledge College.

Occupation: Senior consultant, Reverse Mortgage Solutions

Political experience: This is his fifth run for council.

Community: Officer and former chair, Charlotte East Community Partners; board, Charlotte Chamber East Chapter, 2008-2010; Zoning Board of Adjustment, 2000-2003.

Meet the candidates in Charlotte’s at-large City Council primary

Read profiles of other Democrats vying to be the party’s three Charlotte City Council at-large nominees in Charlotte’s Sept. 15 primary. There is no Republican primary, with candidates Pablo Carvajal, John K. Powell Jr. and David Michael Rice appearing on the Nov. 3 ballot.

▪ Laurence Bibbs cites ‘fresh perspective’

▪ Darrell Bonapart advocates for east, west sides

▪ Bruce Clark to focus on economic mobility

▪ Julie Eiselt cites anti-crime efforts

▪ Claire Fallon pushes for public safety

▪ Sean Gautam cites civic experience

▪ Shawn Greeson focuses on environment, poverty

▪ Mo Idlibby cites legal experience

▪ Vi Lyles cites experience with city, council

▪ Billy Maddalon said LGBT vote spurred him to run

▪ James 'Smuggie' Mitchell to focus on sustainable neighborhoods

▪ Aaron Sanders would focus on services

This story was originally published August 22, 2015 at 2:00 PM with the headline "Darrell Bonapart advocates for east, west sides in bid for Charlotte City Council at-large."

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