QC Showdown: Who's Crowned in Charlotte’s 2025 Mayoral Race?

The race for Charlotte’s next mayor is officially underway, and it’s shaping up to be one of the city’s most competitive election seasons yet. With the candidate filing window now closed, five Democrats—including longtime incumbent Mayor Vi Lyles—are battling it out in the primary for a shot at the city’s top job. If reelected, Lyles would tie for second-longest-serving mayor in Charlotte’s history with five terms under her belt. But she’s not alone in the ring. Challengers like community organizer Jaraun “Gemini” Boyd, attorney Delter Kenny Guin III, and the ever-colorful Tigress Sydney Acute McDaniel are hoping to shake things up and dethrone the incumbent. On the other side of the political spectrum, Republican Terrie D. Donovan and Libertarian Rob Yates round out the general election field.

Meanwhile, the city council races are just as lively. Most incumbents are seeking reelection, but District 6 is guaranteed a fresh face after Tariq Bokhari stepped away for a position in the Trump administration. His wife, Krista Bokhari, is now running to fill the seat, facing both Republican and Democratic challengers. District 3 is another hotspot, where incumbent Taiwana Brown, currently facing federal fraud charges, is still seeking reelection against four opponents. With fresh faces, political families, and a wide field of ideologies, Charlotte’s 2025 elections are promising plenty of fireworks before voters even head to the polls.