Candidate for Charlotte City Council District 6
Kimberly Owens is the Democratic nominee for Charlotte City Council District 6, a seat left open after Republican council member Tariq Bokhari resigned in 2025 to join the U.S. Department of Transportation. Her candidacy comes at a pivotal moment: District 6 has long been Republican ground, but internal GOP splits and shifting demographics have made this election unusually competitive.
District 6: South Charlotte’s Republican Stronghold at a Crossroads
Geography and Identity
District 6 is anchored by SouthPark and stretches across South Charlotte’s subdivisions and commercial hubs. The district is known for high property values, established neighborhoods, and retail corridors that generate major tax revenue.
Demographics
It is one of Charlotte’s wealthiest, least racially diverse council districts. Residents are generally older, whiter, and more affluent than the city average, with high rates of homeownership.
Political History
District 6 has been reliably Republican for years. Tariq Bokhari’s tenure cemented its reputation as a conservative anchor, but his departure created a scramble:
- Edwin Peacock III was appointed in April 2025 to serve temporarily, defeating a push to appoint Bokhari’s wife, Krista.
- The appointment fight exposed party divisions and turned District 6 into one of the year’s most-watched contests.
Current Candidates (2025)
- Krista Bokhari (Republican) – fiscal conservative, law-and-order platform, but vulnerable to nepotism critiques.
- Sary Chakra (Republican) – lesser-known GOP candidate aiming to keep the seat red.
- Kimberly Owens (Democrat) – a first-time candidate with a strong legal career and deep nonprofit ties.
Key Issues
- Property Values and Development: Concern over high-rises and “reckless density” vs. calls for housing supply near SouthPark.
- Public Safety: Policing and community safety remain top priorities.
- Transit and Congestion: Reliance on cars collides with proposals for expanded transit.
- Climate and Sustainability: Citywide carbon neutrality goals remain politically divisive.
Kimberly Owens: Background and Career
Owens has practiced law in Charlotte for more than thirty years. She clerked for federal bankruptcy judge George R. Hodges before moving into corporate law. Since 2004 she has been Senior Director & Associate General Counsel at TIAA, focusing on asset management law, subsidiary governance, and corporate integration.
A first-generation college student, Owens earned her undergraduate degree and went on to graduate with honors from the UNC School of Law.
Family and Community Roots
Owens lives in South Charlotte with her husband, a minority small-business owner. Their three sons all attended Charlotte-Mecklenburg schools and graduated from UNC Chapel Hill. She often cites her upbringing in a family of steelworkers, farmers, teachers, and nurses as formative.
Community Involvement
- Council for Children’s Rights: Provides legal advocacy for students facing expulsion.
- Board Chair: Led RAIN (HIV/AIDS support services) and The Havens (supportive housing).
- Nonprofit Organizer: Helped build an accessible elementary school playground.
- Advocacy: Active with Moms Demand Action, Planned Parenthood, Rotary Youth Exchange, and Lillian’s List Action Fund.
Policy Platform
Owens’ campaign is built around five pillars:
- Smart Housing Policies: Balance property value protection with attainable housing for essential workers.
- Transportation That Works: Improve safe, reliable, and efficient transit options.
- Community Safety: Support CMPD while expanding mental health services.
- Sustainability: Advance environmentally responsible housing and transit.
- Bipartisan Cooperation: Emphasize trust-building and data-driven evaluation.
Strengths and Vulnerabilities
- Strengths: Legal expertise, nonprofit leadership, credibility with progressive networks.
- Vulnerabilities: No prior elected office; opponents highlight her corporate background at TIAA.
About the Author
Jack Beckett writes for The Charlotte Mercury. Fueled by espresso shots and the occasional zoning slog, he brings clarity to city politics without putting readers to sleep.
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© 2025 The Charlotte Mercury / Strolling Ballantyne
This article, “Kimberly Owens: Complete Candidate and District Profile for Charlotte City Council District 6,” by Jack Beckett is licensed under CC BY-ND 4.0.
“Kimberly Owens: Complete Candidate and District Profile for Charlotte City Council District 6”
by Jack Beckett, The Charlotte Mercury (CC BY-ND 4.0)