J.G. “Jim Rico” Lockhart: Platform, Record, and What His At-Large Run Means for Charlotte
J.G. Lockhart is a Democratic contender for one of Charlotte’s four at-large council seats. A stroke survivor, West-side mentor, and host of The Fordcast with Jim Rico, he is best known for a folksy style that favors practical experience over talking points. He is running on transparency, sustainable development that doesn’t displace long-time neighbors, investment in youth as a crime-prevention strategy, targeted corridor revitalization, and a local reparations commission to tackle the city’s wealth gap. He opposes the proposed 1-cent countywide sales tax for transportation.
Where he comes from
- Lifelong Charlottean with deep ties to the Beatties Ford corridor.
- Executive director of The N.E.W. M.E., Inc. (Network for Empowering Women & Men Everywhere), a 501(c)(3) focused on education, mentoring, and civic participation.
- Stroke survivor who channels that story into mental-health advocacy and mentorship.
- Podcaster (The Fordcast With Jim Rico) who courts candid conversations on Charlotte politics, development, and equity.
What he wants to do
Accountability and dollars: Commission an independent audit of city spending. His message is blunt: prove programs work, then scale them.
Housing and development: Protect the character and affordability of legacy neighborhoods; back growth that adds affordable units and real tree canopy rather than demolition by spreadsheet.
Youth and safety: Fund after-school, jobs, and mentorship programs for teens; treat prevention as public safety.
Corridor investment: Prioritize historically neglected corridors like Beatties Ford Road with small-business support, safety upgrades, and public space.
Reparations commission: Launch a city commission to recommend policies that build generational wealth (homeownership tools, small-business capital, land trusts).
Seniors and culture: Support aging in place with transportation access and affordable homes. He also wants the CIAA basketball tournament back in Charlotte.
The transportation twist
Lockhart breaks from many Democrats on the transportation sales tax, arguing it burdens city residents for regional benefits and delivers too little in near-term service. That stance could appeal to tax-skeptical voters but will test him with transit advocates.
Strengths
- A credible outsider: No baggage from prior votes, lots of neighborhood ties.
- Clear priorities: Audit first, build after.
- Youth-first lens: Positions crime prevention as education, jobs, and community.
Vulnerabilities
- No prior elected experience: Learning curve on budgets and process.
- Transit tax opposition: Risk of being painted as anti-mobility by pro-transit blocs.
- Name recognition: Outside of his podcast audience, he starts behind incumbents.
The ballot math (quick context)
Ten Democrats filed for the four at-large slots. Early voting runs Aug. 21–Sept. 6; Primary Day is Sept. 9; General is Nov. 4. In a crowded field, clarity and coalition matter more than hobby-horses.
What to watch if he wins a seat
- Follow-through on audits: Does he force performance dashboards and public post-mortems.
- Corridor deals: Are incentives tied to affordability, local hiring, and anti-displacement.
- Youth outcomes: New dollars to after-school and summer jobs, measured by participation and neighborhood safety indicators.
Platform at a glance
Transparency
Independent audit of city spending; publish clear dashboards for the public.
Housing & Growth
Add affordable units, preserve naturally occurring affordability, and keep legacy residents in place. Back development that fits street grids and shade trees, not just renderings.
Public Safety
Treat prevention like infrastructure: youth jobs, mentoring, mental-health access, and community partnerships alongside policing.
Corridors of Opportunity
Invest in Beatties Ford Road and similar corridors with small-business support, lighting, crosswalks, and storefront stabilization.
Reparations
Launch a city commission to produce practical, local wealth-building recommendations.
Seniors & Culture
Transit access for seniors, targeted home-repair supports, and a push to bring back CIAA weekend as an economic and cultural anchor.
Charlotte Mercury Notes for Voters
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Verdict
Lockhart is a true outsider with west-side roots, an audit-heavy message, and a willingness to say no to the transit tax. If he breaks through, expect a council voice that drags dollars into daylight and keeps corridor investment close to the ground.
About the Author
Jack Beckett once spilled a double espresso across three meeting agendas and a city map. He still files on time, caffeinated, slightly singed, and deeply allergic to fluff.
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This article, “J.G. “Jim Rico” Lockhart: Platform, Record, and What His At-Large Run Means for Charlotte,” by Jack Beckett is licensed under CC BY-ND 4.0.
“J.G. “Jim Rico” Lockhart: Platform, Record, and What His At-Large Run Means for Charlotte”
by Jack Beckett, The Charlotte Mercury (CC BY-ND 4.0)