Why This Race Matters
Charlotte’s 2025 mayoral election isn’t just a referendum on a familiar incumbent. It’s a test of what kind of city Charlotte wants to become in the face of skyrocketing housing costs, racial and economic inequality, rising concerns about crime, and public skepticism toward local governance.
Incumbent Mayor Vi Lyles, a Democrat seeking her fifth term, enters the race as the favorite. But this year, her challengers include a robust mix of community activists, political newcomers, perennial candidates, and representatives from both the Republican and Libertarian parties. Each brings a sharply different vision for the city, and a pointed critique of the status quo.
Whether the race forces a primary runoff or not, the ballot presents Charlotteans with ideological contrast: should the city continue the Lyles-era focus on long-range planning and public-private investment? Or shift toward grassroots-led agendas, fiscal conservatism, or libertarian deregulation?
From affordable housing and transit reform to how much authority City Hall should wield, this election isn’t about symbolic leadership. It’s about control of the city’s future growth—and the systems that shape it.
The Charlotte Mercury’s guide is designed to help voters make sense of the race and the candidates before heading to the polls.
📅 Key Election Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Candidate Filing Ends | July 19, 2025 |
| Primary Election | September 9, 2025 |
| Runoff (if needed) | October 7, 2025 |
| General Election | November 4, 2025 |
| Early Voting | August 21 – September 6 |
Find your sample ballot and polling location: Mecklenburg County Voter Lookup
🔹 Mayor’s Role in Charlotte
Charlotte uses a “council-manager” form of government. The mayor chairs City Council meetings, appoints committee members, represents Charlotte regionally, and helps guide public policy. The city manager, however, runs day-to-day operations.
So while the mayor can propose new initiatives and influence budgets, they don’t unilaterally control hiring, police policy, or infrastructure funding. Instead, their power comes from leadership, persuasion, and agenda-setting.
In recent years, mayors have led on:
- Light rail and transit expansion
- Housing trust fund initiatives
- Policing reform proposals
- Public-private development partnerships
🔵 Who’s Running for Mayor?
The 2025 field features seven candidates:
- 5 Democrats (including incumbent Vi Lyles)
- 1 Republican
- 1 Libertarian
Let’s break down each candidate in detail.
✅ Vi Lyles (Democrat, Incumbent)
Website: (none listed for 2025 as of July)
Current Position: Mayor since 2017
Background: Former city budget director, assistant city manager, and councilmember.
Platform Highlights
- Transportation: Supports 1-cent sales tax to fund the $13.5B Charlotte MOVES mobility plan.
- Housing: Expanded the Housing Trust Fund; supports public-private partnerships for affordability.
- Equity: Launched the Racial Equity Initiative, a $250M public-private investment in underserved communities.
- Economic Development: Credited with bringing Honeywell, Lowe’s Tech Hub, and Truist to uptown.
Criticism & Challenges
- Lack of transparency in recent city government payouts (e.g., $305K CMPD chief exit package).
- Tension with council members over oversight, particularly on airport and transportation authorities.
2023 Result
- Won with 74% of the general vote.
✅ Jaraun “Gemini” Boyd (Democrat)
Website: jaraunboydformayor.org
Background: Community activist and nonprofit leader (Project Bolt); served 20 years in federal prison before becoming a mentor for youth and reentry populations.
Platform Highlights
- Youth Opportunity: Mentorship and job training for at-risk youth.
- Public Safety: Build trust-based, community-first policing.
- City Engagement: Greater transparency and inclusion for residents in policy processes.
Campaign Message
“I’m not a politician—I’m a product of Charlotte who’s lived the struggle.”
✅ Delter Kenny Guin III (Democrat)
Website: delterforthepeople.com
Background: Housing advocate and street-level community organizer.
Platform Highlights
- Housing: Supports rent control and mass construction of affordable units.
- Homelessness: Proposes wraparound services and shelters across all districts.
- Crime: Target root causes with neighborhood-based prevention and public jobs.
Campaign Message
“The people are the answer.”
✅ Brendan K. Maginnis (Democrat)
Website: maginnisformayor.org
Background: 2024 U.S. House candidate; veteran; nonprofit director.
Platform Highlights
- Childcare & Transit: Improve access for working families.
- Government Reform: Mandate transparency on contracts, budgets, and Council decisions.
- Housing: Reduce zoning barriers to increase supply.
✅ Tigress Sydney Acute McDaniel (Democrat)
Website: queengeterdone.wixsite.com/seetigressrun
Background: Park ranger, wetlands scientist, lawyer, activist, and self-described “truth speaker.”
Platform Highlights
- Education: Invest in school facilities, push for civics-focused curriculum.
- Environment: Advance wetland protections and clean air zones.
- Justice: Expand hate crime protections; promote ADA and mental health equity.
✅ Terrie D. Donovan (Republican)
Website: none listed as of July 2025
Background: Charlotte real estate businesswoman.
Platform Highlights
- Public Safety: Fully fund police; increase neighborhood patrols.
- Fiscal Accountability: Audit city contracts; reduce nonessential spending.
- Zoning: Protect single-family neighborhoods from upzoning.
✅ Rob Yates (Libertarian)
Website: prospercharlotte2023.com
Background: 2023 mayoral nominee; local Libertarian journalist.
Platform Highlights
- Government Reduction: Shrink city departments and regulations.
- Tax Policy: End property tax; replace with user-based funding.
- Property Rights: Defend landowners against eminent domain and restrictive zoning.
📊 Compare the Candidates
| Candidate | Party | Housing Policy | Transit Vision | Government Style |
| Vi Lyles | Democrat | Expand HTF + mixed-use | Support 1-cent tax for MOVES | Institutional / Strategic |
| Jaraun Boyd | Democrat | Equity-focused mentoring | Responsive bus systems | Grassroots / Restorative |
| Delter Guin | Democrat | Rent control + shelter | Increase access & funding | Populist / Direct-action |
| Brendan Maginnis | Democrat | Zoning reform + access | Family-focused expansion | Ethical / Policy-driven |
| Tigress McDaniel | Democrat | Housing justice + ADA | Sustainability priority | Legislative / Reformist |
| Terrie Donovan | Republican | Preserve neighborhoods | Fund roads + parking | Conservative / Fiscal |
| Rob Yates | Libertarian | Deregulate zoning | Privatize or reduce CATS | Minimalist / Libertarian |
📄 Ready to Vote?
- Check your voter status: vt.ncsbe.gov
- Know your district: Mayor is elected at-large, but many candidates also weigh in on Council issues.
- Bring valid ID under NC law.
- Use early voting to avoid lines: Aug. 21 – Sept. 6, 2025.
🚑 In Closing
This year, Charlotteans can choose between reformers, disruptors, career officials, and anti-establishment voices. It’s not just a vote on leadership—it’s a vote on direction.
Will Queen City double down on its long-term development roadmap? Or pivot toward radical transparency, affordable housing overhauls, or a libertarian rollback of city powers?
The choice is yours.
For continuing coverage, visit cltmercury.com