Frontrunners emerge for Charlotte's next mayor

Frontrunners emerge for Charlotte's next mayor

More than 100 people applied to serve as Charlotte's next mayor, but a few names are emerging as serious contenders to fill Vi Lyles' vacancy.

Why it matters: The next mayor will serve out the remainder of Lyles' term through the 2027 election, guiding America's fastest-growing city through defining debates, from data center regulations to the future of the I-77 tolls.

The latest: Eligible candidates each received two minutes on Monday to give their pitch to city council on why they should be mayor.

Council members haven't said there are any favorites just yet. But these are the names that keep coming up in political circles as frontrunners:

James "Smuggie" Mitchell Jr.

City of Charlotte

James "Smuggie" Mitchell is the only council member to submit an official application for interim mayor, though many were widely expected to want the role themselves.

  • Mitchell is the mayor pro tem and already assumes the mayoral duties in Lyles' absence.
  • He said he wouldn't run for mayor in 2027, and he's created an "action plan" that places more emphasis on committees to do policy work.
  • "I'll be ready to lead on day one with a clear vision," he said.
  • Appointing Mitchell would create another vacancy that council members would then need to fill.

    • Caleb Theodros

    City of Charlotte

    Caleb Theodros is a North Carolina state senator, first elected in 2024. He previously served as chair of the Black Political Caucus of Charlotte-Mecklenburg.

  • He pitched his statewide connections as an advantage, as Charlotte could benefit from a stronger relationship with Raleigh than what currently exists.
  • "I can be especially useful with Charlotte's relationship with Raleigh," he said. "Whether it's the airport, the P.A.V.E. Act, MPTA, infrastructure, data centers."

    • Carrie Cook

    City of Charlotte

    Carrie Cook's former titles include vice president of community development for the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond and executive director of the nonprofit GreenLight Fund.

  • "We have incredible momentum to continue building a world-class city, and with that, there remains opportunity," Cook said. "We have families who cannot afford to stay in the neighborhoods they built. We have residents who need to feel safer in their communities, and we have growth that demands intentional planning."

    • Harold Cogdell

    City of Charlotte

    Harold Cogdell is a former city council member and former chair of the Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners. He also chaired the Charlotte Housing Authority and the Metropolitan Transit Commission.

  • "That experience will give me the opportunity to begin day one to serve this board," he said. "We have experienced great prosperity in this community, but so many in this community have also been left behind."

    • Michael Evans

    City of Charlotte

    Michael Evans is a former campaign manager for Lyles. He has served on boards ranging from the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority to United Way to ABC.

  • "Your challenge, in my opinion, is to decide who has the combination of skills, experience, and personal qualities to work collaboratively with you over the next 18 months to make Charlotte a better place for all," Evans said.
  • He said he will not run for any seat in 2027.

    • What's next: Council is scheduled to make its pick June 22. However, if it doesn't happen on that date, Lyles has said she will continue to serve past her June 30 resignation date.