The 2025 Charlotte City Council elections were held on November 4, 2025, to elect all eleven members of the Charlotte City Council. Primary elections were held on September 9, 2025. This election represented the first change in the council's composition since 2011, and the first district flip since 1999.
Four members of the city council were elected at-large in an election where voters voted for four candidates, while the other seven were elected individually by geographic district.
At-large seats
The Charlotte City Council has four at-large seats. All four are elected in the same election, as voters vote for four candidates. The incumbents were: Dimple Ajmera, who had represented at-large since 2017 and was re-elected with 23.1% of the vote in 2023 Smuggie Mitchell, who had represented at-large since 2022 and was re-elected with 22.2% of the vote in 2023 LaWana Slack-Mayfield, who had represented at-large since 2022 and was re-elected with 21.6% of the vote in 2023 Victoria Watlington, who had represented at-large since 2023 and was elected with 23.2% of the vote in 2023
Democratic primary Nominees Dimple Ajmera, incumbent council member James (Smuggie) Mitchell Jr., incumbent council member LaWana Slack-Mayfield, incumbent council member Victoria Watlington, incumbent council member
Eliminated in primary Matt Britt, marketing manager Roderick Davis, nonprofit organizer and perennial candidate Will Holley, general contractor J. G. Lockhart, transportation executive Namrata (N.Y.) Yadav, human resources manager
Withdrawn Emerson Stoldt, architect (remained on ballot)
Endorsements
Forums + Democratic primary candidate forums Date Host Moderator Link ParticipantsKey: Participant Absent Withdrawn Ajmera Britt Davis Holley Lockhart Mitchell Slack-Mayfield Stoldt Watlington Yadav 1 July 22, 2025 Sarah Stevenson Tuesday Forum Jackie Edwards Walton Mary Johnson 2 August 19, 2025 WFAE Steve Harrison 3 August 26, 2025 The Charlotte Ledger Tony Merica 4 September 2, 2025 Sarah Stevenson Tuesday Forum Winston Robinson
Fundraising Campaign finance reports as of August 26, 2025CandidateRaisedSpentCash on handDimple Ajmera (D)$54,475$31,601$167,021Matt Britt (D)$27,693$11,682$16,010Will Holley (D)$1,943$1,805$356J. G. Lockhart (D)$1,450$1,075$375Smuggie Mitchell (D)$12,085$3,742$8,343LaWana Slack-Mayfield (D)$17,265$15,912$19,491Victoria Watlington (D)$7,265$5,275$31,527N.Y. Yadav (D)$21,985$15,701$6,284Source: Mecklenburg County Board of Elections
Results
Republican primary Nominees Misun Kim, realtor and nominee for mayor in 2023 Edwin Peacock III, incumbent council member from the 6th district (2025–present) and nominee for mayor in 2013 and 2015
Fundraising Campaign finance reports as of August 26, 2025CandidateRaisedSpentCash on handEdwin Peacock III (R)$31,337$385$30,952Source: Mecklenburg County Board of Elections
General election Post-primary endorsements
Forums + 2025 Charlotte's at-large City Council candidate forums Date Host Moderator Link ParticipantsKey: Participant Absent Withdrawn Ajmera Mitchell Slack-Mayfield Watlington Kim Peacock 1 October 14, 2025 Sarah Stevenson Tuesday Forum Winston Robinson 2 October 23, 2025 The Charlotte Ledger Glenn Burkins Tony Mercia
Fundraising Campaign finance reports as of October 20, 2025CandidateRaisedSpentCash on handDimple Ajmera (D)$76,350$40,783$179,714Smuggie Mitchell (D)$31,282$21,927$9,355LaWana Slack-Mayfield (D)$34,485$35,675$16,948Victoria Watlington (D)$21,635$8,731$42,441Edwin Peacock III (R)$144,555$26,738$117,817Source: Mecklenburg County Board of Elections
Results
District 1
The 1st district included the neighborhoods of Chantilly, Cherry, Derita, Dilworth, Elizabeth, Freedom Park, Grier Heights, Madison Park, NoDa, Plaza Midwood, Sedgefield, and the First and Second Ward of Uptown Charlotte, among others. The incumbent was Democrat Danté Anderson, who had represented the district since 2022 and was re-elected with 97.9% of the vote in 2023.
Democratic primary Nominee Danté Anderson, incumbent council member
Eliminated in primary Charlene Henderson El, cosmetologist and perennial candidate
Endorsements
Forums + Democratic primary candidate forums Date Host Moderator Link ParticipantsKey: Participant Absent Withdrawn Anderson El 1 August 5, 2025 Sarah Stevenson Tuesday Forum Winston Robinson 2 August 19, 2025 WFAE Steve Harrison 3 August 26, 2025 The Charlotte Ledger Tony Mercia
Fundraising Campaign finance reports as of August 26, 2025CandidateRaisedSpentCash on handDanté Anderson (D)$33,122$5,315$49,638Charlene Henderson El (D)$6,301$3,591$2,710Source: Mecklenburg County Board of Elections
Results
General election Post-primary endorsements
Results
District 2
The 2nd district included the neighborhoods of Biddleville, Coulwood, Paw Creek, and the Third and Fourth Ward of Uptown Charlotte, among others. The incumbent was Democrat Malcolm Graham, who had represented the district since 2019 and was re-elected with 97.7% of the vote in 2023.
Democratic primary Nominee Malcolm Graham, incumbent council member
Endorsements
Fundraising Campaign finance reports as of July 25, 2025CandidateRaisedSpentCash on handMalcolm Graham (D)$19,648$12,921$24,297Source: Mecklenburg County Board of Elections
Write-in candidate Lia White, educator (Independent)
General elections Post-primary endorsements
Fundraising Campaign finance reports as of October 20, 2025CandidateRaisedSpentCash on handMalcolm Graham (D)$2,300$5,890$10,652Source: Mecklenburg County Board of Elections
Results
District 3
The 3rd district included the neighborhoods of Clanton Park, Reid Park, South End, Steele Creek, and York Road, among others. The incumbent was Democrat Tiawana Brown, who had represented the district since 2023 and was elected with 78.6% of the vote in 2023.
Background In 1993, Brown was indicted on charges related to Social Security fraud. After pleading guilty, she was sentenced to 33 months in prison at FPC Alderson, beginning in 1994. She was released early but later violated her parole. After facing two charges in Mecklenburg County relating to check fraud, she went back to prison and was released in 1998.
Upon her election in 2023, Brown became the first formerly incarcerated person elected to the City Council. In May 2025, Brown was indicted by the Western District of North Carolina for allegedly securing $124,000 in fraudent loans during the COVID-19 pandemic. In January 2026, Brown pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud conspiracy.
Democratic primary Nominee Joi Mayo, community advocate
Eliminated in primary Tiawana Brown, incumbent council member Warren Turner, former council member for this district (2003–2011)
Withdrawn Montravias King, former Elizabeth City councilman (2013–2015) (remained on ballot, endorsed Brown)
Endorsements
Forums + Democratic primary candidate forums Date Host Moderator Link ParticipantsKey: Participant Absent Withdrawn Brown King Mayo Turner 1 August 12, 2025 Sarah Stevenson Tuesday Forum Mary Johnson 2 August 19, 2025 WFAE Steve Harrison 3 August 26, 2025 The Charlotte Ledger Tony Mercia
Fundraising Campaign finance reports as of August 26, 2025CandidateRaisedSpentCash on handTiawana Brown (D)$7,210$3,822$3,388Joi Mayo (D)$17,270$7,661$10,916Warren Turner (D)$13,234$5,264$11,538Source: Mecklenburg County Board of Elections
Results
Republican primary Nominee James Bowers, minister and nominee for this district in 2022 and 2023
Fundraising Campaign finance reports as of August 26, 2025CandidateRaisedSpentCash on handJames Bowers (R)$1,499$619$880Source: Mecklenburg County Board of Elections
Independent candidate Robin Emmons, hunger activist
General elections Post-primary endorsements
Forums + 2025 Charlotte's 3rd City Council district candidate forums Date Host Moderator Link ParticipantsKey: Participant Absent Withdrawn Mayo Bowers Emmons 1 October 21, 2025 Sarah Stevenson Tuesday Forum Mary Johnson 2 October 23, 2025 The Charlotte Ledger Glenn Burkins Tony Mercia
Fundraising Campaign finance reports as of October 20, 2025CandidateRaisedSpentCash on handJoi Mayo (D)$26,707$21,409$6,605Robin Emmons (I)$7,410$3,332$4,078Source: Mecklenburg County Board of Elections
Results
District 4
The 4th district included the neighborhoods of Highland Creek and University City, among others. The incumbent was Democrat Reneé Perkins Johnson who had represented the district since 2019 and was re-elected with 97.9% of the vote in 2023.
Democratic primary Nominee Reneé Perkins Johnson, incumbent council member
Eliminated in primary Wil Russell, construction manager and candidate for this district in 2023
Endorsements
Forums + Democratic primary candidate forums Date Host Moderator Link ParticipantsKey: Participant Absent Withdrawn Johnson Russell 1 August 19, 2025 Sarah Stevenson Tuesday Forum Laura McClettie 2 August 19, 2025 WFAE Steve Harrison 3 August 26, 2025 The Charlotte Ledger Tony Merica
Fundraising Campaign finance reports as of August 26, 2025CandidateRaisedSpentCash on handReneé Perkins Johnson (D)$10,698$8,510$3,251Wil Russell (D)$21,685$12,275$12,733Source: Mecklenburg County Board of Elections
Results
General elections Post-primary endorsements
Fundraising Campaign finance reports as of October 20, 2025CandidateRaisedSpentCash on handReneé Perkins Johnson (D)$27,833$28,047$849Source: Mecklenburg County Board of Elections
Results
District 5
The 5th district included the neighborhoods of Cotswold, East Forest, Eastland, and Sherwood Forest, among others. The incumbent was Democrat Marjorie Molina who had represented the district since 2022 and was re-elected with 98.1% of the vote in 2023.
Democratic primary Nominee JD Mazuera Arias, chair of the Hispanic American Democrats of Mecklenburg County (2025–present)
Eliminated in primary Marjorie Molina, incumbent council member
Endorsements
Forums + Democratic primary candidate forums Date Host Moderator Link ParticipantsKey: Participant Absent Withdrawn Mazuera Arias Molina 1 August 19, 2025 WFAE Steve Harrison 2 August 26, 2025 Sarah Stevenson Tuesday Forum Jackie Edwards Walton 3 August 26, 2025 The Charlotte Ledger Tony Merica
Fundraising Campaign finance reports as of August 26, 2025CandidateRaisedSpentCash on handJD Mazuera Arias (D)$31,308$11,820$20,985Source: Mecklenburg County Board of Elections
Results
General election Post-primary endorsements
Fundraising Campaign finance reports as of October 20, 2025CandidateRaisedSpentCash on handJD Mazuera Arias (D)$36,535$27,967$8,567Source: Mecklenburg County Board of Elections
Results
District 6
The 6th district included the neighborhoods of Eastover, Myers Park, Parkdale, Quail Hollow, Starmount, SouthPark, and Stonehaven, among others.
The previous incumbent, Republican Tariq Bokhari, had represented the district since 2017 and was re-elected with 50.7% of the vote in 2023. Bokhari resigned on April 20, 2025, to become Deputy Administrator of the Federal Transit Administration. Per North Carolina law, Bokhari's replacement had to be a Republican.
On May 19, the Charlotte City Council voted to appoint Republican Edwin Peacock III to fill the remainder of Bokhari's term. Peacock previously represented at-large from 2007 to 2011. On July 17, Peacock announced his intent to run for an at-large seat.
Appointment Interim appointee Edwin Peacock III, former at-large council member (2007–2011)
Eliminated in appointment vote Krista Bokhari, nominee for North Carolina's 104th House district in 2024 and wife of outgoing council member Tariq Bokhari
Applied to be appointed Sary Chakra, realtor Andy Dulin, former state representative from the 104th district (2017–2019) Andrew Dunn, journalist David Jewell, marketing executive Christopher McBride Douglas Paris La Reshia Poore, social worker James Rice, realtor