Read Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles’ full statement announcing her resignation
Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles sent shockwaves through the city Thursday as she announced plans to resign from office next month.
The five-term Democrat said she’ll leave office June 30, less than halfway through her latest term. Lyles added she won’t run for mayor in 2027.
Read her full statement announcing the decision below:
Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles today announced that she will not seek re-election in November 2027 and will resign early from the Office of the Mayor effective June 30. Mayor Lyles was first elected as Mayor in 2017.
“Serving as Charlotte’s mayor has been the honor of my life,” Mayor Lyles said. “I am proud of our record navigating various challenges, strengthening our economy, investing in our neighborhoods, and building a foundation for Charlotte’s continued success during a time of rapid growth. Now, it is time for the next phase of my life, to spend more time with my grandchildren and for someone new to lead us forward.”
Mayor Lyles has spent more than 30 years in Charlotte city government, with her service as mayor preceded by two terms on City Council (including service as Mayor Pro Tem from 2015-2017) and working as a budget analyst, budget director, and assistant city manager. She is Charlotte’s first Black female mayor.
Mayor Lyles said she is particularly proud of Charlotte’s economic growth and job creation during her time in office, and of enhancing city governments’ fiscal stability. Among her other key achievements as mayor, she cited public safety improvements, numerous housing initiatives, and a drive to expand and improve public transit that included voter approval last year of a sales tax to support infrastructure and service enhancements.
“I am very proud of my record as mayor, but I also firmly believe that true leadership includes knowing when it is time to let the next generation of leaders take over,” she said. “By leaving early, the voters will have more time to learn about their candidates. Our city is strong, our trajectory is positive, and now is the right moment for someone else to build on our progress from the past few years.”
Lyles also noted that the city is in the capable hands of a strong city manager and staff, which gives her great confidence in the decision to resign early in this term. I am forever proud of the team the city has built.
“As in all things politics, I am sure there will be speculation as to why I am making this decision now. Simply put, I am going to spend time with my grandchildren. Like many of us, I have missed some moments with them and intend to not miss anymore!”
Mayor Lyles said she will not make any immediate endorsement of a potential successor.
