Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles Seeks Fifth Term Amid Growth, Roberts Considers Challenge

Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles has announced she will seek a fifth term in office, officially filing for re-election on July 16. Since her initial election in 2017, Lyles has focused on affordable housing, public safety, infrastructure improvements, and racial equity initiatives, including investing over $150 million in affordable housing and launching a $250 million Mayor's Racial Equity Initiative. Her campaign will emphasize continuing to uplift families, strengthen communities, and support small and minority-owned businesses while advancing the city's long-term growth through the 2040 Comprehensive Plan. Lyles faces a primary challenge from Tigress Sydney Acute McDaniel, while former mayor Jennifer Roberts is also considering running to offer voters additional choices. Additionally, District 3 councilwoman Tiawana Brown, despite being indicted, plans to seek re-election amid her own primary challengers. The election will coincide with a significant vote on a proposed one-cent sales tax increase aimed at funding major transportation projects, a key priority for Lyles.