Charlotte City Council District 1: What Voters Need to Know Ahead of the 2025 Primary
By Jack Beckett – The Charlotte Mercury
Charlotte’s District 1 will not see a crowded ballot this year. Voters in neighborhoods stretching from Uptown eastward to Hidden Valley face a straightforward choice in the September 9 Democratic primary: return incumbent Danté Anderson to City Council, or elect community activist Charlene Henderson, who has mounted several previous campaigns.
No Republican, Libertarian, or unaffiliated candidates have filed. That means the Democratic nominee will run unopposed in November, making September’s primary decisive.
Who’s on the Ballot
Danté Anderson (Incumbent – Democrat)
- First elected: 2022, representing District 1.
- Background: Known for her work on equity and sustainability issues; active in civic and nonprofit circles prior to winning office.
- Policy Priorities:
- Affordable Housing: Pushes for homes to be spread citywide, avoiding over-concentration in certain neighborhoods.
- Economic Justice: Advocates for a livable wage standard for Charlotte workers.
- Public Safety: Supports safe communities through youth investments, corridor revitalization, and stronger ties between residents and police.
- Equity & Sustainability: Frames her work through an equity lens, connecting housing, wages, and safety to Charlotte’s long-term growth.
Charlene Henderson (Challenger – Democrat)
- Background: A neighborhood advocate from Hidden Valley. Multiple previous runs for office: District 4 (2019), District 1 (2022), and At-Large (2023).
- Campaign Message: “People over profit.”
- Policy Priorities:
- Worker Protections: Supports stronger labor rights and higher wages.
- Housing Justice: Critical of gentrification and displacement; calls for development that centers existing residents.
- Equitable Growth: Seeks fair investment across all neighborhoods, especially historically underrepresented communities.
- Grassroots Governance: Pledges transparency and direct accountability to neighborhood voices.
The Stakes for District 1
With only two names on the ballot, the race is less about party and more about direction. Anderson emphasizes continuity and scaling up current policies on housing and wages. Henderson positions herself as a challenger to establishment politics, channeling frustrations over displacement and inequality.
The choice is effectively final in September. Whoever emerges from the Democratic primary will secure the council seat.
Key Dates for District 1 Voters
- Early Voting Period: August 21 – September 6, 2025
- Primary Election Day: September 9, 2025
- General Election: November 4, 2025 (no District 1 contest, as no other parties fielded candidates)
Bottom Line
For District 1, the September 9 Democratic primary is the election. Whether voters opt for Anderson’s steady approach to housing and wages, or Henderson’s push for grassroots-driven change, the winner will represent the district without opposition in November.
About the Author
Jack Beckett is a senior writer at The Charlotte Mercury. He drinks too much coffee, mostly from Einstein Bros. on South Boulevard, which explains both his deadlines and his temperament.
Explore More at The Charlotte Mercury
So you’ve made it to the bottom—congratulations, you survived another deep dive into Charlotte politics. Before you go bragging to your friends about being the most informed voter in Mecklenburg County, do yourself a favor and wander into the rest of our election circus:
- Peek at the District 1 race where Dante Anderson and Charlene Henderson are fighting over who can best pronounce “Elizabeth” at neighborhood forums.
- Slide over to District 2 if you prefer your politics served West Side with a side of barbecue loyalty.
- If your ballot lives south of SouthPark, the District 6 page is calling—where suburban cul-de-sacs meet old-school fundraising.
- Or, if you’re a glutton for punishment, binge through the full City Council overview and discover why committee meetings last longer than your last relationship.
- And of course, don’t miss the Mayor’s race, where the egos are big, the slogans are vague, and the yard signs sprout faster than summer mosquitoes.
Because Charlotte politics is a buffet, and you should really try every questionable dish before Election Day.
Election Coverage Partner
This coverage is brought to you in partnership with Mercedes-Benz of South Charlotte—because if you’re going to crawl through traffic to early voting, you might as well do it in style.
📍 Mercedes-Benz of South Charlotte
950 North Polk Street, Pineville, NC 28134
📞 (704) 837-7952
🌐 mbcharlotte.com
Ask for the “Election Year Special”—no, it won’t get you a discount, but it will at least confuse the salesperson.
© 2025 The Charlotte Mercury | CC BY-ND 4.0