CHARLOTTE — Charlotte city elections are heating up with close to four months until Election Day.
Democratic Mayor Vi Lyles put pen to paper making it official on Wednesday that she is running for reelection, seeking a fifth term.
Busy day at the BOE: Mayor Vi Lyles is filing for re-election at noon. Councilmember Tiawana Brown is filing for re-election at 12:30.
— Joe Bruno (@JoeBrunoWSOC9) July 16, 2025
Lyles told Channel 9 government reporter Joe Bruno her work is not done yet.
If she makes it past the primary, she will share a ballot with arguably her top accomplishment, a referendum on whether to raise the sales tax to fund billions of dollars in transit.
She says she wants to see it through.
“It is all about making sure that everyone in this community has the opportunity to thrive,” the mayor said. “That’s what I see as the next step for city of Charlotte under my leadership.”
The filing comes just weeks after Mecklenburg County secured a sales tax increase referendum for transit, which has been a five-year quest for Lyles.
The mayor filed hours after she participated in a press conference announcing the 2026 MLS All Star game in the Queen City, a team that she helped land.
However there has been controversy in the backdrop of her accomplishments.
Between a secret Charlotte-Mecklenburg police chief settlement to questions over transparency, Lyles says she wants to address the state of the city council.
“The council members and I don’t necessarily always get along, and that is something that bothers me as much as it bothers them,” Lyles said. “And so, one of my goals would be to actually have a council that’s united.”
Her filing also comes on the heels of a mass shooting in Uptown. Public safety looms as a top issue this campaign for everyone on the ballot.
She shared this response to the past weekend’s violence
“I believe that when we start talking about gun violence in the city and mass shootings, there’s got to be more than just being a council member,” Lyles said. “It has got to be some place where your family, the people in your neighborhood, understand that guns, are not the solution to disputes.”
Lyles is facing a primary challenge from Tigress Sydney Acute McDaniel. Candidate filing ends Friday at noon.
Brown files for reelection
Embattled District 3 Councilwoman Tiawana Brown also hopes to earn your vote.
She filed for reelection on Wednesday too as she faces a federal fraud indictment.
“When we fight, we win.” That’s the slogan of Councilmember Tiawana Brown who is fighting a federal indictment as she attempts to win another term as Charlotte city councilmember.
Brown and her two daughters are currently facing federal COVID-19 relief fraud charges. If convicted of the felony, Brown will have to resign her seat. However, she maintains she did nothing wrong. And she also says no one will better advocate for District 3 than she. She was born and raised in the district.
In her short time as councilmember, Brown has not been afraid to call out leadership and advocate for issues where she’s passionate.
Brown will face two Democratic challengers in the primary.
She wished them good look.
“Listen, it is a public seat. It is not my seat. It is a seat that is given to me by the people,” Brown said. “It is a seat that I won, elected to that seat for the people by the people. So, all the people running against me, good luck, but you got some big shoes to fill. Good luck.”
The Democratic candidates running against her are Montravious King and Joi Mayo. Republican James Bowers and unaffiliated candidate Robin Emmons are also planning to run in November.
(VIDEO: Mayor Vi Lyles backs CMPD chief amid possible lawsuit against city council)
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