Bokhari nips Hand in south Charlotte, again, in unofficial results; Hand doesn’t concede
Tariq Bokhari and Stephanie Hand surely felt like they had been there before Tuesday night, as another fierce Charlotte City Council battle between them came down to a small percentage of votes.
And, at least for now, it appears to have been the same result as the 2022 edition.
With all precincts reporting, Bokhari, District 6’s Republican incumbent, leads Democratic challenger Hand by 352 votes. In 2022, he beat her by 357.
But Hand isn’t conceding just yet, she told reporters shortly after 10 p.m.
The district includes parts of south Charlotte, including the Myers Park and SouthPark neighborhoods. Republicans have held the district, according to city records, since it was formed in 1977.
Elsewhere in Charlotte, it was a solid night for Democrats.
The party won the City Council race in southwest Charlotte’s District 3, and their four candidates appeared to be the top vote getters for four at-large seats on the council. Incumbents in districts 1, 2, 4, 5 and 7 are unopposed.
And Mayor Vi Lyles, a Democrat, looked to have fended off two challengers as she sought a fourth term in office.
Here are the latest election results provided by the State Board of Elections. All returns are unofficial:
Bokhari vs. Hand rematch in District 6
Bokhari, who has represented the long-time Republican stronghold of District 6 since 2017, defeated Hand by fewer than 400 votes in 2022. And Tuesday’s race also came down to the final precincts to be counted.
Numerous issues have been raised by the candidates over the course of the latest campaign, including public safety, transportation policy, development and approaches to leadership.
With all 38 precincts reporting, Bokhari led Hand by 352 votes, or a margin of 50.7% to 49.2%.
“You know, this was a tough one. This was a really tough one,” Bokhari said Tuesday night. “We we were up against stiff odds, we knew it. There are three major parties or affiliations representing District 6 and in order, they are unaffiliated, Democrat and Republican. And we pulled it off today despite of that.”
Hand did not concede. The results are unofficial and provisional and mail-in absentee ballots will still need to be counted.
“It ain’t over yet. We’re not finished yet,” Hand said, adding that she’s looking at the possibility of requesting a recount.
Her message to District 6: “Don’t give up. Continue to build and work together because we need each other.”
Just after 9 p.m. N.C. House Speaker Tim Moore, who is also running for Congress, made an appearance to support Bokhari along with state Rep. Tricia Cotham.
Moore posed for a photograph with Bokhari and wished him well on the tight race.
“We’ve been friends for years and I think he’s done an amazing job on the Charlotte City Council,” said Moore. “I wanted to be here in support. It looks like he’s gaining ground as the votes are coming in right now and I’m feeling good for him.”
As far as his own prospects, Moore indicated that it would be an honor to represent Charlotte and Mecklenburg County if elected to Congress.
“Of course, I’ve grown up in this area, of course, living in Kings Mountain just 30 minutes off the road,” he said. “So, I’ve been here when Charlotte was still just getting going and I’m here seeing the city it has become today.”
Race to replace incumbent in District 3
The other competitive City Council district race was in southwest Charlotte’s District 3, where Republican James H. Bowers faces Democrat Tiawana Brown for an open seat.
Bowers is semi-retired with a background in the mortgage industry and car business, and Brown leads a nonprofit called Beauty after the Bars.
With all 20 precincts reporting, Brown led Bowers by a margin of 78.5% to 21.2%.
5 candidates vie for four at-large City Council seats
With Mayor Pro-tem Braxton Winston not seeking reelection to instead run for state Labor Commissioner, current District 3 representative Victoria Watlington, a Democrat, ran for an at-large seat on the council.
Democratic incumbents Dimple Ajmera, James “Smuggie” Mitchell and Lawana Slack-Mayfield all sought another term as at-large representatives. Libertarian Steven J. DiFiore II is the fifth at-large candidate on the ballot.
The top four vote-getters will be elected.
With all 169 precincts reporting, Watlington and Ajmera led the pack with 23.2% and 23.1% of the vote each, followed by Mitchell, Mayfield and DiFiore. Frequently, the leading vote-getter is elevated to the ceremonial role of mayor pro tem.
Lyles wins fourth mayoral term
Lyles faced two challengers as she sought a fourth term in office: Republican Misun Kim and Libertarian Rob Yates.
With all 169 precincts reporting, Lyles led Kim and Yates by a margin of 73.6% to 21.4% and 4.7%, respectively.
By 9:30 p.m., Lyles essentially declared victory at the Mecklenburg Democrats’ gathering, telling the crowd she was grateful for the chance to continue to serve.
“I want to say thank you for creating this space,” she said.
Who is unopposed in 2023 general election?
A number of incumbent City Council members are unopposed Tuesday in their quests for reelection:
Council member Danté Anderson (D), District 1 (southeast Charlotte)
Council member Malcolm Graham (D), District 2 (north Charlotte)
Council member Reneé Perkins Johnson (D), District 4 (northeast Charlotte)
Council member Marjorie Molina (D), District 5 (east Charlotte)
Council member Ed Driggs (R), District 7 (southeast Charlotte)
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This story was originally published November 7, 2023 at 7:44 PM.
