CHARLOTTE — Mayor Vi Lyles took a rare vote Monday afternoon to break a tie and ensure a familiar face will return to the Charlotte City Council. With the mayor’s support, the council voted 6-5 to appoint Edwin Peacock III to the seat.
Mayor Lyles chose Peacock over Krista Bokhari, the wife of former councilman Tariq Bokhari. Tariq Bokhari resigned to take the number 2 position at the Federal Transit Administration.
Joining the mayor in supporting Peacock were Mayor Pro Tem Dante Anderson, Malcolm Graham, LaWana Slack-Mayfield, James Mitchell, and Marjorie Molina. Councilmembers Dimple Ajmera, Tiawana Brown, Ed Driggs, Renee Johnson, and Victoria Watlington backed Bokhari.
“I’m grateful for all the candidates who took the time to apply and go through this process. I spoke with Peacock, and he’s ready to serve District 6. We’ve got a lot of work to do, and I look forward to working with him in the coming weeks and months,” said Lyles.
BREAKING: Mayor Vi Lyles is breaking a 5-5 tie to select Edwin Peacock III for the vacant District 6 seat over Krista Bokhari.
— Joe Bruno (@JoeBrunoWSOC9) May 19, 2025
Edwin Peacock III- 6
Anderson, graham, Mayfield, Mitchell, Molina
Krista Bokhari- 5
Ajmera, Brown, Driggs, Johnson, Watlington
Peacock was the last Republican elected to an At-Large seat on the city council. He was elected in 2007 and served two terms. He previously ran for mayor in 2013 and 2015. He told the council he would not run for the seat in the fall.
Krista Bokhari was endorsed by Meck GOP, Speaker Destin Hall, Rep. Tim Moore, Rep. Tricia Cotham, Senator Vickie Sawyer, and her husband, Tariq, who vacated the seat.
Krista Bokhari issued the following statement
“While I’m disappointed in the outcome, I remain proud of the broad coalition that stood with me—including District 6 community members, the Meck Republican Party and leaders in the General Assembly fighting for Charlotte’s future.
“I especially want to thank the brave council members who stood firm on their principles in the face of immense pressure from other colleagues who decided to put politics over the truth and people of Charlotte. I would also like to voice my disappointment in the tie-break vote that must feel like a smack in the face to those who have been asked to do so much, and asked for such a small consideration today.
“If calling out the truth lost me this appointment so be it. I can look myself in the mirror tonight knowing I stood strong on the pillars of truth & transparency. If that is called chaos so be it. It is the kind of chaos that creates a governing body that does what is right by their citizens.
“I want to thank the residents of District 6 for your trust—I’m not going anywhere, and I will continue serving this community in every way I can. The work doesn’t end here."
This is the second appointment in a row where Mayor Vi Lyles had to break a tie. In both cases, Mayor Lyles selected the person not endorsed by the outgoing councilmember. She backed Greg Phipps over Jessica Davis, and now Edwin Peacock III over Krista Bokhari.
Peacock will be sworn in on Tuesday.
Channel 9 has reached out to the mayor for comment.
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