Edwin Peacock Appointed After Tie Vote, Mayor Breaks Deadlock
In a rare and tense moment during Monday night’s Charlotte City Council meeting, Mayor Vi Lyles broke a 5-5 deadlock to appoint Edwin Peacock III to the vacant District 6 seat, choosing the former councilman over Krista Bokhari, wife of the outgoing councilmember Tariq Bokhari.
The vote marked the second consecutive time Lyles has cast a tiebreaker for a vacant seat. In 2021, she selected Greg Phipps over Jessica Davis for District 4.
Peacock, a Republican who previously served as an at-large councilmember and twice ran unsuccessfully for mayor, won the position after councilmembers split along political and personal lines. Those voting for Peacock included Dante Anderson, Malcolm Graham, LaWana Slack-Mayfield, James Mitchell, and Marjorie Molina. Supporting Krista Bokhari were Dimple Ajmera, Tiawana Brown, Ed Driggs, Renee Johnson, and Victoria Watlington.
“I have listened to many of us talk about what the opportunities are,” Lyles said, “and in this case, I believe the council supported Edwin Peacock as the next District 6 representative.”
A Quiet Field Until the End
Peacock was not alone in seeking the seat. Four other candidates—Jack Moorman, Laurie Overcash, Richard Pearsall, and Brian Waple—submitted applications ahead of the May 6 deadline but never spoke publicly during the selection process. Their silence left the field to Peacock and Bokhari, whose candidacy was backed by key GOP lawmakers including House Speaker Destin Hall.
Krista Bokhari’s bid represented continuity for her husband’s political legacy, but some councilmembers expressed concerns about optics and independence.
Peacock, who pledged not to run in the fall election, framed his appointment as a short-term stabilizer rather than a springboard to renewed office-seeking. “I’m here to serve and to be present. That’s it,” he told reporters after being sworn in.
The District 6 Balancing Act
Peacock inherits a district that includes SouthPark, Myers Park, and portions of southeast Charlotte—an area where development pressures, rising home prices, and transportation access are persistent issues. His appointment comes at a time when the city continues to navigate political divisions over housing, transit, and growth management.
While his term will be short, lasting until the fall election, Peacock’s presence is expected to provide a measured voice on budget and zoning matters. His return also raises questions about the city’s process for appointing mid-term replacements—a process that now appears as political as any election.
Krista Bokhari, in a post-vote statement, said she was disappointed but remained committed to public service. “There’s more than one way to serve a city you love,” she said.
Jack Beckett
About the author:
Jack Beckett writes for The Charlotte Mercury. His political coverage runs on caffeine, especially the hazelnut brew from Einstein Bros. Bagels South Boulevard, where coffee meets existential clarity. Try the turkey sausage egg white sandwich, or just stare blankly at the pastry case like he does.
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This article, “Edwin Peacock Appointed After Tie Vote, Mayor Breaks Deadlock,” by Jack Beckett is licensed under CC BY-ND 4.0.
“Edwin Peacock Appointed After Tie Vote, Mayor Breaks Deadlock”
by Jack Beckett, The Charlotte Mercury (CC BY-ND 4.0)
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