Who is Braxton Winston II, Democratic Charlotte City Council at-large candidate?

Braxton Winston II

Political party: Democrat

Age as of Nov. 8, 2022: 39

Campaign website: votebraxton.com

Email: info@votebraxton.com

Occupation: Charlotte Liaison @ Delaware College Scholars Program

Education: Davidson ‘07, BA Anthropology

Have you run for elected office before? (Please list previous offices sought): Twice Elected to Charlotte City Council At Large

Please list your highlights of civic involvement.

Braxton takes immense pride in being a member of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) Union. He sits on several boards and committees including My Brother’s Keeper Charlotte-Mecklenburg, the Board of Trustees of the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra, Smart Start of Mecklenburg County and Habitat for Humanity’s Charlotte Neighborhood Revitalization Committee.

Should the City Council limit the number of new parking garages in and near uptown to encourage the use of public transportation?

The City of Charlotte should not be investing public money into parking decks. We need to change our economic development incentive policy away from allowing this to happen. The supply & demand of parking should be left up to the market. The City should not impose parking minimums that mandate a certain amount of parking supply. Conversely, if property owners feel they need or want parking, the government (City) should not prevent private landholders from developing their property with parking.

Describe your views on using public money to help build or improve private sports facilities or stadiums.

Our partnerships with sports franchises help to generate revenues that allow us to invest in other priorities. These partnerships also help make Charlotte a regional destination for visitors to come and discover what we have to offer. Taxpayers lose when that partnership includes public ownership and upkeep of sports arenas and stadiums. Taxpayers win if they own land that is part of these deals and are able to achieve other community priorities as part of said development.

Is there an area where you disagree with your party? Why?

I make decisions based on data, lived experiences, consult with subject matter experts, those who are most proximate to the effects of the decision, and what is best for the area that decision effects. Sometimes those decisions align with my Democratic colleagues and peers. Sometimes they don’t.

What one professional or political accomplishment are you most proud of?

I am most proud to be in the majority of council members who voted to adopt the Charlotte Future 2040 Comprehensive Plan. With it we adopted an equity lens through which growth strategies, policies, and spends will be measured to determine their impact on our ability to build a more equitable, accessible, & interconnected Charlotte. I look forward to the hard work of implementing the plan in the years to come.

What separates you from your opponents?

Winston did not respond to a question about his general election opponents. His response from the May primary is below.

I am a single father of 3 who range from kindergarten to 9th grade. I work multiple jobs, some with hourly wages to make ends meet. I rent housing and have moved 3 times in the past 3 years. I know the difficulties of trying to afford to live in this city in the middle class. I am a victim of domestic violence that played out publicly. I understand the tightrope so many in our community walk in order to provide for your family and maintain a level of self care while living in a toxic situation.

This story was originally published April 22, 2022 at 3:00 PM.