Charlotte Observer endorsements: Our choices in mayor, city council races

It’s been a rough year for Charlotte — one that’s tested city leaders and the trust voters have in them. That was true in September’s primary elections, but it’s even more true now. Since then, the tragic murder of Iryna Zarutska, a Ukrainian refugee, on Charlotte’s light rail has sparked urgent conversations about crime and public safety.

Many races were already decided in the primary, so only a few city offices will be on the ballot in November.

Here are our recommendations for mayor and contested city council races:

Mayor

Mayor Vi Lyles has faced perhaps the most challenging stretch of her eight-year tenure. She faces challenges from Republican Terrie Donovan and Libertarian candidate Rob Yates.

We said before the primary that Lyles is a capable, level-headed leader who has brought much-needed stability to the mayor’s office, but we’re troubled by the persistent lack of transparency in city government in recent years. That’s all still true. And as Charlotte has come under intense scrutiny in the wake of Zarutska’s murder, she hasn’t always delivered as a leader. Her delayed and initially defensive response allowed the tragedy to bloom into an even bigger controversy, and it put Charlotte in the national spotlight for all the wrong reasons.

Lyles has proven in the past she can steer Charlotte through difficult times, which is in part why her recent missteps are so disappointing. But she has historically been a leader who shines behind the scenes, and she hasn’t faced this kind of national pressure before. Charlotte needs her to be a more assertive, public-facing leader — one who communicates often, owns up to failures and reassures without being defensive.

Lyles remains the best candidate for the job, but we hope she commits to change.

Charlotte City Council at-large

All four Democratic incumbents — Dimple Ajmera, LaWana Slack-Mayfield, Victoria Watlington and James Mitchell — advanced from September’s primary. Two Republicans will also be on the ballot: former at-large council member Edwin Peacock III, who is currently representing District 6 on an interim basis, and Misun Kim, who unsuccessfully ran for mayor in 2023.

All four incumbents have been effective members of council. But as this year has demonstrated, there is also a need for ideological diversity on a council dominated by Democrats. Republicans don’t often have strong choices in at-large races, but they have one in Peacock, who would bring a wealth of experience to the role. He’s a reasonable, thoughtful Republican who knows city government and has the respect of colleagues. He would provide a contrary and thoughtful perspective to the council without being a disruptive force.

We recommend Ajmera, Slack-Mayfield, Watlington and Peacock.

Charlotte City Council District 3

Voters have a slate of fresh options in this west Charlotte district. Democrat Joi Mayo beat incumbent Tiawana Brown in the Democratic primary and will appear on the ballot alongside Republican James H. Bowers and Robin Emmons, an unaffiliated candidate.

Mayo is the founder of Transforming Nations Ford, a nonprofit that supports communities along the Nations Ford/Arrowood corridor. She has a deep understanding of the issues facing her community and is well-equipped to address them. Emmons, too, is active in the community and has a strong grasp of its needs, but Mayo stands out.

We recommend Mayo.

Charlotte City Council District 6

This south Charlotte district will be the most competitive race in November’s election. It’s one of just two seats on the council that’s occupied by Republicans, though the party’s edge in the district has shrunk. In the last two elections, the Republican candidate won by just a few hundred votes.

This year, there’s no incumbent in the race. Voters have a choice between Democrat Kimberly Owens, an attorney, and Krista Bokhari, whose husband, Tariq, previously represented the district. Owens and Bokhari are both moderate enough to effectively represent a politically diverse district, and each would bring measured, pragmatic leadership to council. The latter would be a welcome and perhaps necessary departure from the more inflammatory style of leadership coming out of District 6 in recent years.

Bokhari is a fierce advocate for public safety, an issue on which strong leadership is needed — though we’re troubled by a recent Facebook post that seemed to support sending the National Guard to Charlotte.

Owens is more than capable of being an effective member of council, but we believe that having more dissenting voices on council serves the entire city well. We recommend Bokhari.

This story was originally published October 19, 2025 at 6:00 AM.