Charlotte Mayor Undecided About Whether She Will Seek Reelection

by Xara Aziz
Charlotte Observer

Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles told Channel 9 that she has not yet decided whether she will seek re-election in 2025. Lyles, who has served as mayor since 2017, faces a July filing deadline for the Charlotte City Council and mayoral race.

“I have not made (a decision),” Lyles told WSOC. “Come down to the board of elections and we’ll see.”

Since taking office, Lyles has overseen a record level of funding for affordable housing and played a key role in advancing major initiatives, including the passage of the Unified Development Ordinance, improvements to Bank of America Stadium, the acquisition of the Red Line, and investments in Corridors of Opportunity.

Looking ahead to 2025, Lyles’ top priority is securing a sales tax increase referendum on the ballot. If approved by voters, the revenue would fund the Red Line, light rail expansion, bus system improvements, and other transportation projects.

The measure will require authorization from the General Assembly before it can be placed on the ballot.

“I’m an optimist about this,” Lyles said. “I think we are building a good case.”

If Lyles decides not to seek re-election, several prominent Charlotte Democrats are expected to consider a mayoral bid. Among the potential candidates are Charlotte City Councilmembers Dimple Ajmera and Malcolm Graham. Ajmera has previously stated she is “humbled” by calls to run for mayor, while Graham recently said the question remains hypothetical until Lyles announces her decision.

Vi Alexander Lyles, a Democrat, has served as Charlotte’s mayor since 2017. Before that, she was an at-large representative on the Charlotte City Council from 2013 to 2017 and was selected as mayor pro tem on Dec. 7, 2015. Lyles worked for the City of Charlotte for nearly 30 years, beginning as a budget analyst and later serving as budget director before becoming assistant city manager from 1996 to 2004. During her tenure, she played a key role in developing the city’s first capital budget and restructuring government programs to improve performance assessments.

In recognition of her contributions, the Southern Piedmont Chapter of the National Forum for Black Public Administrators established the Viola ‘Vi’ Lyles Young Public Administrator Award in 2009. The award honors individuals who demonstrate exceptional energy, commitment, and excellence in public service.

Lyles holds a Bachelor of Arts in political science from Queens University and a Master of Public Administration from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She is also a trained facilitator and executive coach, having completed programs at the Institute of Government, North Carolina State University, and the Lee Institute’s American Leadership Forum.

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