A primary that decides the seat
District 1 voters face a clean choice. Incumbent Dante Anderson, the council’s mayor pro tem, points to committee work on transportation and economic development and frames a one-cent mobility sales tax as a “generational opportunity.” Challenger Charlene Henderson, a Hidden Valley organizer and city Business Advisory Committee member, argues for community-centered growth, stronger code enforcement, and worker protections. The primary will likely decide the seat given the district’s partisan lean. See Anderson’s official profile and board roles, and Henderson’s platform and civic posts for context. City of Charlotte profile, Charlene Henderson campaign, Business Advisory Committee, Tuesday Forum preview.
What District 1 looks like now
The district stretches across central and northeast Charlotte, including Plaza Midwood, Villa Heights, NoDa, Belmont, parts of Uptown and the Sugar Creek corridor. It mixes rapid-growth commercial spots with older working-class neighborhoods and a large share of the city’s affordable housing. Democrats dominate the vote here; Anderson won nearly unopposed in 2023. City District 1 info, ALARM Project redistricting context, Ballotpedia Anderson 2023 data.
How we got here
Anderson was appointed to the District 1 seat in September 2022 to fill a vacancy, then elected to a full term and elevated to mayor pro tem that December by a 7-4 vote. The selection split the council but gave Anderson a larger platform on rezoning and mobility. City announcement, WFAE coverage, WBTV recap.
Candidate Profiles
Dante Anderson, incumbent
Core case: experienced governance, mobility investment, equitable housing.
Roles and priorities: Represents Charlotte on the regional transportation board and has tied that experience to support for the countywide mobility sales tax. Her housing plank emphasizes preserving older units and distributing affordability across the city. On public safety, she backs corridor investments, lighting and youth programming along trouble spots, including Sugar Creek. CRTPO board, City profile, House Charlotte Plus.
Transit tax stance: supportive, argued as a long-term fix for a bus-first network and targeted rail. Charlotte Observer voter guide.
On transparency and CMPD: Anderson has publicly thanked Chief Johnny Jennings for stepping up in a leadership vacuum while candidates citywide field questions about the chief’s settlement and closed-session process. WCNC briefing.
Charlene Henderson, challenger
Core case: neighborhood-first development, worker standards, safer streets.
Civic footprint: Hidden Valley organizer with seats on the city’s Business Advisory Committee and other community groups. Her platform stresses fair wages for city workers and contractors, stronger code enforcement, and investments that keep seniors housed and youth engaged. Campaign platform, BAC listing.
Record on the trail: Ran competitively in the 2022 D-1 primary against Anderson and later for at-large in 2023, building name recognition across east-side precincts. Ballotpedia lists her as “Charlene Henderson El.” Ballotpedia profile, Tuesday Forum preview.
Transit tax stance: public statements at forums have emphasized equity and delivery guardrails; most city candidates indicated support in early summer events. Charlotte Observer forum coverage, Mass Transit roundup.
The issues that divide, and where they overlap
Transit and mobility
- Tax and delivery: Both candidates have signaled openness to the one-cent sales tax, with Anderson explicitly supportive. Voters should watch how each would split new revenue across bus frequency, targeted rail, and road safety projects. WFAE explainer, Observer voter guide.
Housing and land use
- Preservation vs. displacement: Anderson focuses on preserving older units and expanding ownership programs citywide. Henderson pushes for code enforcement that keeps long-time residents safe and housed. House Charlotte Plus, Henderson platform.
Public safety
- Corridor strategy: Anderson backs corridor investments such as lighting, cameras, and youth programs; Henderson talks “holistic” safety with wage standards for city workers and contractors. City corridor program overview, Henderson platform.
Transparency and ethics
- After the CMPD chief settlement: Expect questions to both about closed-session process and what rules they would strengthen. Observer coverage.
Service box
How to vote in District 1
Check official sites for hours, locations, and eligibility. Start with Mecklenburg Elections and this WBTV key dates list. Early voting begins in late August, primary is Sept. 9, and the general is Nov. 4.
What District 1 covers
Uptown, Plaza Midwood, Villa Heights, NoDa, Belmont, and parts of the Sugar Creek corridor. The city’s District 1 page has details and boundaries. City District 1.
What the transit tax would fund
The county placed a one-cent transportation tax on the November ballot. Expect emphasis on bus frequency, safety projects, and corridor investments, with rail debated. WFAE coverage.
What to watch
- Delivery guarantees: What oversight and project-delivery rules will each candidate insist on if the tax passes.
- Anti-displacement tools: Concrete proposals beyond slogans.
- A transparency rule they would apply to themselves: Not just others.
About the Author
I’m Jack, typing with one hand and guarding a rapidly cooling mug with the other. If this reads like someone replaced my bloodstream with espresso, that is accurate, and possibly deserved.
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© 2025 The Charlotte Mercury / Strolling Ballantyne
This article, “The District 1 Decider: Pragmatist vs. Organizer,” by Jack Beckett is licensed under CC BY-ND 4.0.
“The District 1 Decider: Pragmatist vs. Organizer”
by Jack Beckett, The Charlotte Mercury (CC BY-ND 4.0)