Vi Alexander Lyles
2017 - Present
2025
6
Vi Alexander Lyles (Democratic Party) is the Mayor of Charlotte in North Carolina. She assumed office on December 4, 2017. Her current term ends on December 1, 2025.
Lyles (Democratic Party) ran for re-election for Mayor of Charlotte in North Carolina. She won in the general election on November 7, 2023.
Lyles unseated incumbent Mayor Jennifer Roberts in the Democratic primary and was sworn into office on December 4, 2017, becoming the first black woman to lead Charlotte in the city's history.[1]
Prior to entering politics, Lyles was an assistant city manager involved in budgeting and government assessment programs. She served two terms on the Charlotte City Council from 2013 and 2017, where she supported an ordinance prohibiting discrimination against LGBT individuals in public accommodations.
As mayor of Charlotte, Lyles pushed for $50 million in funding for affordable housing. She also established a Community Recovery Task Force in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
Ballotpedia has compiled the following resources on Lyles' political career:
- Biography
- Tenure as mayor of Charlotte
- Tenure on the Charlotte City Council
- Elections
- Campaign themes
Biography
Lyles was born in 1952 in Columbia, South Carolina. She received a bachelor's degree in political science from Queens University and a master's degree in public administration from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Before entering politics, Lyles was the assistant city manager. She was involved in creating Charlotte's first capital budget and restructuring government assessment programs. She also worked as a consulting director for the Lee Institute and Flynn Health Holt Leadership.[2][3][4]
Lyles was the community outreach director for the 2012 Democratic National Convention.[5] She served two terms on the Charlotte City Council from 2013 to 2017, where she was voted mayor pro tem for two years during her tenure.[2]
In 2017, Lyles was first elected mayor of Charlotte, winning by 18 percentage points. She was re-elected in 2019 by a margin of 55 percentage points.
Tenure as mayor of Charlotte
- See also: Government responses to and political effects of the coronavirus pandemic, 2020 (North Carolina) and Republican National Convention, 2020
In April 2020, Lyles and the city council formed the Community Recovery Task Force with the stated purpose of supporting families and businesses through the pandemic and helping plan for recovery. The group was focused on three areas: small business, housing, and the airport.[6]
Lyles also expressed concern with Charlotte hosting the 2020 Republican National Convention in August 2020 during the pandemic. "We have a contract with the RNC to host this convention, but we also have a commitment to our community that we will keep them safe and well," she said in May. "We can't do it if it's not safe. And we've got to follow the directions of our scientists to do that."[7]
The Republican National Committee announced on June 11 that the first day of the convention would take place in Charlotte before moving to Jacksonville, Florida, for the event's final three days.[8]
Events and activity following the death of George Floyd
Lyles was mayor of Charlotte during the weekend of May 29-31, 2020, when events and activity took place in cities across the U.S. following the death of George Floyd. Events in Charlotte, North Carolina, began on Friday, May 29, 2020, at the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Metro police station.[9] On May 31, Gov. Roy Cooper (D) announced he was deploying the North Carolina National Guard to Charlotte. The city of Charlotte disputed the governor's announcement, tweeting, "The National Guard has been in [Charlotte] assisting with COVID-19 response. There are no plans at this time to deploy the National Guard in response to demonstrations."[10] No curfews were issued.
To read more about the death of George Floyd and subsequent events, click [show] to the right. | |||
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On June 3, Lyles hosted a public forum outside of the Government Center, where she and city council members were questioned about the use of tear gas against protesters. Lyles then joined protesters and kneeled for nine minutes in remembrance of Floyd.[17]
Housing Trust Fund
In April 2018, Lyles said she planned to seek $50 million for the Housing Trust Fund, which subsidizes the construction of private housing for low-income renters in Charlotte. At the time, the trust was funded with $15 million in bonds every two years.[18] Voters approved the measure in November 2018.[19]
Tenure on the Charlotte City Council
Response to shooting of Keith Lamont Scott
In September 2016, Lyles proposed a seven-point plan to reduce racial and class divisions in Charlotte following the police-involved shooting death of Keith Lamont Scott.[5][20]
LGBT non-discrimination ordinance
In February 2016, Lyles supported a non-discrimination ordinance that prohibited discrimination in public accommodations—including public restrooms, tax services, and hotels—against LGBT individuals. The measure passed 7-4.[21] The ordinance was preempted by the passage of H.B. 2, and later H.B. 142.[20][22]
Elections
2023
See also: Mayoral election in Charlotte, North Carolina (2023)
General election
General election for Mayor of Charlotte
Incumbent Vi Alexander Lyles defeated Misun Kim and Rob Yates in the general election for Mayor of Charlotte on November 7, 2023.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
✔ | ![]() | Vi Alexander Lyles (D) | 73.6 | 64,564 |
![]() | Misun Kim (R) ![]() | 21.3 | 18,713 | |
![]() | Rob Yates (L) ![]() | 4.7 | 4,087 | |
Other/Write-in votes | 0.4 | 317 |
Total votes: 87,681 | ||||
![]() | ||||
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Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Mayor of Charlotte
Incumbent Vi Alexander Lyles defeated Lucille Puckett in the Democratic primary for Mayor of Charlotte on September 12, 2023.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
✔ | ![]() | Vi Alexander Lyles | 85.4 | 20,109 |
![]() | Lucille Puckett | 14.6 | 3,449 |
Total votes: 23,558 | ||||
![]() | ||||
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Republican primary election
The Republican primary election was canceled. Misun Kim advanced from the Republican primary for Mayor of Charlotte.
Libertarian primary election
The Libertarian primary election was canceled. Rob Yates advanced from the Libertarian primary for Mayor of Charlotte.
Endorsements
Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Lyles in this election.
2022
See also: Mayoral election in Charlotte, North Carolina (2022)
General election
General election for Mayor of Charlotte
Incumbent Vi Alexander Lyles defeated Stephanie de Sarachaga-Bilbao in the general election for Mayor of Charlotte on July 26, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
✔ | ![]() | Vi Alexander Lyles (D) | 68.5 | 49,624 |
![]() | Stephanie de Sarachaga-Bilbao (R) | 31.3 | 22,646 | |
Other/Write-in votes | 0.3 | 188 |
Total votes: 72,458 | ||||
![]() | ||||
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Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Mayor of Charlotte
Incumbent Vi Alexander Lyles defeated Lucille Puckett, Tigress Sydney Acute McDaniel, and Tae McKenzie in the Democratic primary for Mayor of Charlotte on May 17, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
✔ | ![]() | Vi Alexander Lyles | 84.1 | 48,569 |
![]() | Lucille Puckett | 7.4 | 4,275 | |
![]() | Tigress Sydney Acute McDaniel | 4.5 | 2,614 | |
![]() | Tae McKenzie | 4.0 | 2,286 |
Total votes: 57,744 | ||||
![]() | ||||
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Republican primary election
Republican primary for Mayor of Charlotte
Stephanie de Sarachaga-Bilbao defeated M. Moustafa in the Republican primary for Mayor of Charlotte on May 17, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
✔ | ![]() | Stephanie de Sarachaga-Bilbao | 70.4 | 15,624 |
![]() | M. Moustafa | 29.6 | 6,562 |
Total votes: 22,186 | ||||
![]() | ||||
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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2019
See also: Mayoral election in Charlotte, North Carolina (2019)
General election
General election for Mayor of Charlotte
Incumbent Vi Alexander Lyles defeated David Michael Rice in the general election for Mayor of Charlotte on November 5, 2019.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
✔ | ![]() | Vi Alexander Lyles (D) | 77.3 | 70,886 |
![]() | David Michael Rice (R) | 22.3 | 20,459 | |
Other/Write-in votes | 0.5 | 414 |
Total votes: 91,759 | ||||
![]() | ||||
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Mayor of Charlotte
Incumbent Vi Alexander Lyles defeated Roderick Davis, Lucille Puckett, Joel Odom, and Tigress Sydney Acute McDaniel in the Democratic primary for Mayor of Charlotte on September 10, 2019.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
✔ | ![]() | Vi Alexander Lyles | 86.6 | 60,089 |
![]() | Roderick Davis | 4.2 | 2,945 | |
![]() | Lucille Puckett | 4.2 | 2,894 | |
![]() | Joel Odom | 3.6 | 2,526 | |
![]() | Tigress Sydney Acute McDaniel | 1.3 | 924 |
Total votes: 69,378 | ||||
![]() | ||||
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Republican primary election
The Republican primary election was canceled. David Michael Rice advanced from the Republican primary for Mayor of Charlotte.
2017
The city of Charlotte, North Carolina, held elections for mayor and city council on November 7, 2017. A primary was held on September 12, 2017. A primary runoff was held on October 10, 2017, for the district 5 race. A candidate needed to receive over 40% of the vote in order to avoid a runoff election. All 11 seats on the city council were up for election. The filing deadline for candidates who wished to run in this election was July 21, 2017.
Vi Lyles (D) defeated Kenny Smith (R) in the general election for mayor of Charlotte.[23]
Mayor of Charlotte, General Election, 2017 | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
Democratic | ![]() |
59.15% | 72,073 | |
Republican | Kenny Smith | 40.75% | 49,652 | |
Write-in votes | 0.11% | 132 | ||
Total Votes | 121,857 | |||
Source: North Carolina State Board of Elections, "Official General Election Results," November 16, 2017 |
Vi Lyles defeated incumbent Jennifer Roberts, Joel Ford, Constance Johnson, and Lucille Puckett in the Mayor of Charlotte Democratic primary election.[24]
Mayor of Charlotte, Democratic Primary Election, 2017 | ||
---|---|---|
Candidate | Vote % | Votes |
![]() |
46.13% | 15,805 |
Jennifer Roberts Incumbent | 36.23% | 12,412 |
Joel Ford | 15.95% | 5,466 |
Constance Johnson | 0.91% | 311 |
Lucille Puckett | 0.78% | 268 |
Total Votes | 34,262 | |
Source: North Carolina State Board of Elections, "Official Primary Election Results," accessed September 18, 2017 |
Endorsements
The table below shows endorsements from local and national groups for the 2017 Charlotte mayoral general election.
Candidate endorsements for general election | ||
---|---|---|
Endorsement | Vi Lyles | Kenny Smith |
Black Political Caucus | ||
Charlotte Firefighters Association [25] | ||
NC Values Coalition PAC[26] | ||
Democracy for America | ||
Human Rights Campaign[27] | ||
MeckPAC[27] | ||
Equality NC[27] | ||
The Charlotte Observer[28] | ||
Real Estate and Building Industry Coalition[29] |
The table below shows endorsements from local and national groups for the 2017 Charlotte mayoral Democratic primary.
Candidate endorsements for Democratic primary | |||
---|---|---|---|
Endorsement | Jennifer Roberts | Vi Lyles | Joel Ford |
Black Political Caucus[30] | |||
Human Rights Campaign[31] | |||
Democracy for America[32] | |||
Charlotte Fire Fighters Association[33] | |||
The Charlotte Post[34] | |||
MeckPAC[35] | |||
Equality NC[36] | |||
Real Estate and Building Industry Coalition[37] | |||
New South Progressives[38] | |||
Sierra Club[39] | |||
Southern Piedmont Central Labor Council[40] | |||
Unite Here Local 23 North Carolina Chapter[41] | |||
The Charlotte Observer[42] |
2015
The city of Charlotte, North Carolina, held elections for mayor and city council on November 3, 2015. A primary took place on September 15, 2015. The filing deadline for candidates who wished to run in this election was July 17, 2015.[43] At-large city council candidates in the Democratic primary were Laurence E. Bibbs, Darrell Bonapart, Bruce Clark, Julie Eiselt, Claire Green Fallon, Sean Gautam, Shawn Greeson, Mo Idlibby, Vi Lyles, Billy D. Maddalon, James "Smuggie" Mitchell and Aaron Sanders. Pablo Carvajal, John K. Powell, Jr. and David Michael Rice were unopposed in the Republican primary. In the general election, Democratic candidates Lyles, Mitchell, Eiselt and Fallon won election over Republican candidates Carvajal, Powell and Rice.[44][45][46]
Charlotte City Council At-large, General election, 2015 | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
Democratic | ![]() |
17.0% | 44,419 | |
Democratic | ![]() |
16.4% | 42,807 | |
Democratic | ![]() |
15.8% | 41,352 | |
Democratic | ![]() |
14.3% | 37,406 | |
Republican | John K. Powell, Jr. | 14.2% | 37,158 | |
Republican | Pablo Carvajal | 11.7% | 30,517 | |
Republican | David Michael Rice | 10.4% | 27,246 | |
Write-in votes | 0.29% | 764 | ||
Total Votes | 261,669 | |||
Source: North Carolina State Board of Elections, "Official General Election Results - Mecklenburg County," November 16, 2015 |
Charlotte City Council, At-large Democratic Primary, 2015 | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Candidate | Vote % | Votes | ||
![]() |
18.8% | 19,194 | ||
![]() |
17.3% | 17,689 | ||
![]() |
12.7% | 13,011 | ||
![]() |
11.8% | 12,029 | ||
Billy D. Maddalon | 9.3% | 9,525 | ||
Darrell Bonapart | 9% | 9,179 | ||
Mo Idlibby | 6.6% | 6,759 | ||
Bruce Clark | 3.8% | 3,872 | ||
Aaron Sanders | 3.4% | 3,434 | ||
Shawn Greeson | 3.1% | 3,198 | ||
Sean Gautam | 2.3% | 2,369 | ||
Laurence E. Bibbs | 2.1% | 2,106 | ||
Total Votes | 102,365 | |||
Source: Mecklenburg County Board of Elections, "Official primary election results," accessed September 24, 2015 |
Campaign themes
2023
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Vi Alexander Lyles did not complete Ballotpedia's 2023 Candidate Connection survey.
2022
Vi Alexander Lyles did not complete Ballotpedia's 2022 Candidate Connection survey.
2019
Vi Alexander Lyles did not complete Ballotpedia's 2019 Candidate Connection survey.
Campaign website
Lyles' campaign website stated the following:
" | I believe that the best thing about Charlotte is its people… and together, we can move Charlotte forward…
I believe in creating the conditions which will attract companies that provide jobs to those who call Charlotte home. I believe every Charlotte neighborhood should be a community of choice, where the quality of life is high and there are opportunities for growth and prosperity for everyone. I believe every Charlottean should have the opportunity to work and afford to live in our city. I believe every Charlottean should have multiple, affordable transportation options to get to the places where they live, work, shop and play. I believe when police and communities trust one another they can work together for everyone’s well-being. I believe our city is at our best when we value our collective diversity and one another’s individual differences. Based on these vaIues, I will lead with vision and accountability. I will move Charlotte forward with an actionable agenda focused on the following priorities:
Making Charlotte the country’s most livable city
Making Charlotte a city where everyone thrives
Diverse options connecting all geographic areas of the city
Quality housing options for all
Creating a vibrant economy for all[47] |
” |
—Vi Lyles’ campaign website (2019)[48] |
2017
Lyles' website included the following seven-point plan:[49]
" |
|
” |
—Vi Lyles' campaign website, 2017[49] |
See also
2023 Elections
External links
Candidate Mayor of Charlotte |
Officeholder Mayor of Charlotte |
Personal |
Footnotes
- ↑ WFAE, "Lyles Takes Oath As Mayor, Joins New Council Members In Urging Change," December 5, 2017
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 City of Charlotte, "Meet the Mayor," accessed June 17, 2020
- ↑ Vi Lyles campaign website, "Bio," accessed August 14, 2015
- ↑ Charlotte Observer, "Charlotte city council at-large: Vi Lyles on the issues," September 2, 2015
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Higher Heights for America, " Vi Lyles," accessed June 17, 2020
- ↑ City of Charlotte, "City Council Committees," accessed June 17, 2020
- ↑ Business Insider, "'We can't do it if it's not safe': Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles voices concerns about hosting the still-planned Republican National Convention in August," May 18, 2020
- ↑ WSOC, "It’s official: Main event for RNC to be held in Florida instead of Charlotte," June 11, 2020
- ↑ ABC 11, "Charlotte city councilman among several arrested after George Floyd protest turns violent," May 30, 2020
- ↑ WSOC-TV, "Protesters, police clash in uptown during 4th night of protests in Charlotte," June 2, 2020
- ↑ Washington Post, "The death of George Floyd: What video and other records show about his final minutes," May 30, 2020
- ↑ The New York Times, "8 Minutes and 46 Seconds: How George Floyd Was Killed in Police Custody," May 31, 2020
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 USA Today, "Medical examiner and family-commissioned autopsy agree: George Floyd's death was a homicide," June 1, 2020
- ↑ Associated Press, "Chauvin guilty of murder and manslaughter in Floyd’s death," April 20, 2021
- ↑ CNN, "Protests across America after George Floyd's death," accessed June 2, 2020
- ↑ Cite error: Invalid
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- ↑ WCNC, "Mayor Lyles, city council join protesters for peaceful demonstration," June 4, 2020
- ↑ Charlotte Observer, "As rents rise, Charlotte's mayor seeks to more than triple the affordable housing fund," April 11, 2018
- ↑ WFAE, "Charlotte Voters Overwhelmingly Approve More Than $223 Million In Bonds," November 7, 2018
- ↑ 20.0 20.1 Bustle, "Vi Lyles Says Being Charlotte's First Black Woman Mayor Is About Much More Than Making History," December 4, 2017
- ↑ WBTV, "Charlotte non-discrimination ordinance passes 7-4," February 22, 2016
- ↑ CNN, "North Carolina's HB142: Repeal? Compromise? What does it all mean?" March 30, 2017
- ↑ Mecklenburg County Board of Elections, "Candidate List," accessed July 23, 2017
- ↑ Mecklenburg County Board of Elections, "Candidate List," accessed July 23, 2017
- ↑ WCNC.com, "Charlotte Firefighters Association endorses Vi Lyles," October 18, 2017
- ↑ WCNC.com, "NC Values Coalition PAC endorses candidates in Charlotte race," October 19, 2017
- ↑ 27.0 27.1 27.2 Human Rights Campaign, "HRC, Equality NC, MeckPAC Endorse Vi Lyles for Mayor of Charlotte," October 5, 2017," October 5, 2017
- ↑ Charlotte Observer, "Charlotte has two capable candidates for mayor. We think one has the edge," October 27, 2017
- ↑ Real Estate and Building Industry Coalition, "2017 REBIC Election Guide," accessed October 27, 2017
- ↑ Charlotte Observer, "Black Political Caucus has endorsed a mayoral candidate. How will it shape the primary?" May 22, 2017
- ↑ Charlotte Observer, "LGBT groups make their picks for Charlotte mayor, council," August 23, 2017
- ↑ Democracy for America, "Our Candidates," accessed September 7, 2017
- ↑ Joel Ford campaign website, "Charlotte Firefighters Endorse Joel Ford for Mayor," August 29, 2017
- ↑ The Charlotte Post, "The Post endorses Vi Lyles in Democratic mayoral primary," August 31, 2017
- ↑ MeckPAC,"2017 Charlotte Mayoral & City Council Endorsements," August 23, 2017
- ↑ Equality NC, "LGBT Leaders Announce Charlotte Candidate Endorsements," accessed September 7, 2017
- ↑ REBIC, "REBIC Announces Endorsements for Charlotte City Council Primary," August 8, 2017
- ↑ New South Progressives, "NSP Endorsements," accessed September 7, 2017
- ↑ Sierra Club, "Sierra Club Endorses Jennifer Roberts for Mayor of Charlotte," accessed September 7, 2017
- ↑ Southern Piedmont Central Labor Council, "September Primary Endorsements Announced," August 22, 2017
- ↑ Jennifer Roberts campaign website, "Endorsements," accessed September 7, 2017
- ↑ Charlotte Observer, "Who we like in the Charlotte mayor’s race, and why," August 23, 2017
- ↑ Mecklenburg County Board of Elections, "Multi Year Election Schedule," accessed September 19, 2014
- ↑ Mecklenburg County Board of Elections, "Official primary election results," accessed September 24, 2015
- ↑ Mecklenburg County Board of Elections, "Official candidate list," accessed July 28, 2015
- ↑ North Carolina State Board of Elections, "Unofficial General Election Results - Mecklenburg County," November 3, 2015
- ↑ 47.0 47.1 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ Vi Lyles' campaign website, “Values,” accessed September 1, 2019
- ↑ 49.0 49.1 Vi Lyles campaign website, "Vi's 7-Point Plan," accessed August 4, 2017
Political offices | ||
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Preceded by - |
Mayor of Charlotte 2017-Present |
Succeeded by - |
Preceded by - |
Charlotte City Council At-large 2013-2017 |
Succeeded by - |
|
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State of North Carolina Raleigh (capital) |
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