Candidate Filing Opens for 2025 Charlotte, Mecklenburg Elections

Candidate filing for the 2025 Mecklenburg County municipal elections opened on July 7 and will remain open until July 18, with a partisan primary set for September 9. All 11 Charlotte City Council seats, six school board positions, and the mayor's seat are up for election, with speculation surrounding whether Mayor Vi Lyles will seek reelection. Incumbent Councilmember Tiawana Brown, who faces a federal indictment, will seek another term in District 3 and may face a primary challenge from Montravias King, a nonprofit leader and renewable energy consultant. Kimberly Owens, a Democrat and real estate attorney, is running for the traditionally Republican-held District 6 seat. Matthews Mayor John Higdon filed for reelection but stated he will not campaign against the contentious sales tax increase for transit despite his opposition. The transit plan, supported by Huntersville Mayor Christy Clark, includes the Red Line rail project and remains a major issue on the November ballot.