James Bowers, Charlotte City Council District 3 candidate, answers our questions
To help inform voters in the Nov. 4, 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: James Bowers
Email: jameshbowersforcitycouncil@gmail.com
Political party: Republican
Which position are you running for on the Charlotte City Council? City Councilman for District 3
Age: 68
Campaign website or social media page: Not constructed at this time
Occupation: Semi-retired- Insurance sales
Education: Attended College- VUU Majored in Accounting - Minored in Management
Have you run for and/or held elected office before? (Please list previous offices sought and/or held)
I have run for the City Council District 3 office in the last two cycles
Please list your highlights of civic involvement
Minister
Captain in Young Men of Valor
Children’s Church Teacher
Usher
Witnessing Team
What are the most important issues facing Charlotte, and how would you address them?
Charlotte is a wonderful place for families and businesses. But one of our most important issues is affordability. Every family has to look at their budgets and determine if more or less money is needed to achieve their goals. But when a family avoids making the tough decisions about overspending or realigning spending at the wrong time, then suddenly unforeseen divisions creep in. Same principle for City Council. If you don’t address the right issues at the right time then many unforeseen things can happen. Another one of my most important issues is to make Charlotte “Affordable Again”!
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?
Transparency and clarity are paramount when serving the public, or running a private business. In this instance, if the Council members have sufficiently explained and defined the terms of their decision, then all is well. But if not, then the voters have to make those elected officials know their feelings by either public discourse and/or voting in the next election cycle.
How will you earn public trust in the wake of public controversies that roiled City Council this spring?
When I am elected I will clearly and passionately promote those promises and ideals that allows all voters to be respected and secure. Respected because I honor the trust they put in me. Secure by knowing that my every decision will be thoughtfully, faithfully and patiently considered prior to any final decision. Another one of my personal commitments is to make every decision, whether direct or nuanced, to be measured and just.
How will you work to improve transparency within city government?
A lack of transparency is like saying it’s okay do a “little crime.” Becoming a City Councilman is an immense opportunity to serve with great responsibility. Each official should be constantly reminded, and be mindful that the job you signed up for is not self-seeking, but self-less.
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?
I’d like to suspend “all” potential taxes for the Charlotte community for next five years.
Is there an area where you disagree with your party on local or state issues? Why?
In politics there is often a greater result if you agree to disagree and discuss things to get to common ground. No one likes to see your unclean laundry on display.
What separates you from your opponent(s)?
I believe what separates me another candidate are those proven standards for decision making and critical thinking through my experiences and expertise through working business world, our community and the Church.
What one professional or political accomplishment are you most proud of?
My most satisfying accomplishment is stepping forward and being a part of our civic American experience. Any American citizen can step forward and become part of the political process by choosing to represent and serve others with honesty and patriotism. I hope and pray that those who may not know me personally will see me through those same qualities of family, faith and business which works for them as well as for all people.
