Dante Anderson, Charlotte City Council District 1 candidate, answers our questions
To help inform voters in the Sept. 9, 2025, election, this candidate questionnaire is available to be republished by local publications in North Carolina without any cost. Please consider subscribing to The Charlotte Observer to help make this coverage possible.
Name: Dante Anderson
Email: danteanderson4charlotte@gmail.com
Political party: Democrat
Which position are you running for on the Charlotte City Council? District 1
Age: 52
Campaign website or social media page: dante4charlotte.com
Occupation: Mayor Pro Tem, District 1 Representative
Education: Harvard Business School - MBA, New York University - MA in Cinema Studies, MIT - BS in Electrical Engineering & Film|Media Studies
Have you run for and/or held elected office before? (Please list previous offices sought and/or held)
Currently serve as Mayor Pro Tem and District 1 representative for Charlotte City Council
Please list your highlights of civic involvement
CRTPO - Board Member, Centralina - Former Board Member, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Leadership Charlotte (Class 38), Blumenthal Arts - Board Member, Renaissance West Community Initiative - Former Board Member, Susan G. Komen Charlotte - Former Board Member, Executive Leadership Council, Center for Women’s Business Research - Former Advisory Board Member, Walton Arts Center - Former Board Member, American Heart Association | American Stroke Association - Former International Committee Member.
What are the most important issues facing Charlotte, and how would you address them?
Economic development, housing, and public safety. The top priority at the moment is transportation. District 1 has seen the highest allocation of affordable housing (rental & for sale) in the last Housing Trust Fund allocation. We’ve just announced more good paying jobs coming to D1. I’ve been an advocate of sharing the facts out about the Mobility referendum. Voters deserve to know the facts.
The city of Charlotte provided CMPD Chief Johnny Jennings with more than $305,000 in a deal reached during a private meeting – details of which were not available until news outlets started reporting on the issue. Did the city handle this correctly based on what the public knows about the situation? Why or why not?
As a current member of Council, personnel privacy is paramount. I aim not to betray that trust. I’m a proponent of transparency. Conversely, I fully understand the notion of privacy as it relates to personnel matters.
How will you earn public trust in the wake of public controversies that roiled City Council this spring?
I will call for the highest transparency possible without compromising employee confidentiality or economic development privacy.
How will you work to improve transparency within city government?
I work on it weekly. Transparency is critical to all operations. But, in particular, government work requires transparency and connection to community. I fully support transparency.
The General Assembly has given Mecklenburg County permission to put a referendum on the ballot to raise the county’s sales tax to fund road, rail and bus projects. Will you vote in favor of the referendum? Why or why not?
Yes, the Queen City is behind in our focus on building out our Strategic Mobility Plan. We haven’t had more alignment than we have right now locally, regionally and at the State level.
Is there an area where you disagree with your party on local or state issues? Why?
No.
What separates you from your opponent(s)?
My wholistic lived experience. I grew up a poor kid in public housing. I focused on education & opportunity to pivot my economic outcome. I’m CMS educated. I’ve relied on public transportation. I’ve spent 25+ years in corporate America at small & Fortune 500 companies. I have years of civic involvement in our city including years of service on CLTCC. I’ve lived and led right here in our city. I’m particularly equipped to help lead us through our next chapter of vitality and growth.
What one professional or political accomplishment are you most proud of?
The work in the Sugar Creek Corridor affecting residents of Derita, Hidden Valley and North Tryon has been impactful & gratifying. Removing transient motel rooms was critical to the pivot. Under my leadership, we’ve removed 38% of rooms (4 motels), replacing with for sale affordable townhomes & converted studio apartments, installed camera & light fixtures for security, more sidewalks & helped seniors age in place. The progress that can be seen & felt along the Corridor.
This story was originally published August 11, 2025 at 6:00 AM.
