Exclusive: Charlotte's Mayoral Candidates in their Own Words
We asked the City of Charlotte for the applications of all of the candidates to fill the Mayoral vacancy. Here's what they wrote.
In response to our public records request, and requests made of individual candidates, Y’all Weekly has obtained the applications for all of the candidates for interim Mayor of Charlotte, to replace Mayor Vi Lyles who is stepping down at the end of the month.
Below are selected applications from prominent Charlotte community members and public servants, as well as candidates who provided Y’all Weekly with their applications.
Most applicants for the interim mayor position emphasize a desire to serve as a steadying hand during a transition period, with the vast majority explicitly stating they do not intend to run for reelection. Candidates with backgrounds in public service and local governance—including James Mitchell, Caleb Theodros, Jennifer Roberts, and Harold Cogdell—highlight the importance of maintaining continuity, upholding current city procedures, and fostering a collaborative, transparent environment among City Council members and staff. These applicants generally frame the interim role as a facilitator rather than an agenda-setter, aiming to bridge gaps between different stakeholders and ensure that essential city functions continue smoothly while keeping the focus on serving all residents.
Other candidates, such as Carrie Cook, Robert Hillman, and Clayton Sealey, emphasize the need for proactive engagement with Charlotte’s rapid growth, citing specific policy priorities like economic development, public transit, infrastructure, and workforce advancement.
Whether bringing extensive community leadership experience or technical professional expertise, these applicants underscore a commitment to equitable investment and inclusivity, ensuring that city growth benefits all communities. While some candidates, such as Zach Claywell and Yara Al Bayyari, offer non-traditional or grassroots perspectives focused on individual advocacy and community connection, the collective body of applicants consistently prioritizes stable governance, improved civic dialogue, and the strategic management of the city's future challenges.
A copy of our FOIA request, and a list of all of the applications, is available here.
More applications will be added here as they are analyzed, so check back regularly!
Mayor Pro Tem James Mitchell
Do you intend to run for reelection?
No
State your interest in serving as interim mayor
I am interested in serving as Interim Mayor because I believe this is an important moment for Charlotte, and I would welcome the opportunity to help provide stability, continuity, and collaborative leadership during this transition.
Serving as Mayor Pro Tern has given me a greater appreciation for the responsibility of helping bring people together, facilitating productive discussions, and ensuring that City Council remains focused on the issues that matter most to our residents. I am grateful for the trust my colleagues have placed in me over the past six months, and that experience has reinforced my belief that our best work occurs when we communicate openly, respect differing perspectives, and work toward common goals.
If selected, my focus would be on maintaining a collaborative Council environment, supporting effective policy development through our committee structure, strengthening accountability and transparency, and continuing to build productive relationships with our local, state, and federal partners. I would also work to ensure that every Council member has meaningful opportunities to contribute their talents, expertise, and leadership to the work before us.
Most importantly, I am interested in serving because I care deeply about the future of Charlotte and believe my experience, temperament, and commitment to collaboration would allow me to help guide our city through this transition while keeping Council focused on serving the people of Charlotte.
State Senator Caleb Theodros
Do you intend to run for reelection?
No
State your interest in serving as interim mayor
I am interested in serving as Interim Mayor because I believe Charlotte needs steady, practical leadership during this transition.
I would not approach the role as an opportunity to introduce a broad new agenda. My focus would be to support the work already underway, respect the procedures City Council has put in place, and help maintain stability and momentum over the next 18 months.
I also believe I can be helpful in strengthening Charlotte’s relationship with Raleigh. As a State Senator representing Charlotte, I have working relationships at the state level and understand many of the issues ahead, including transportation, infrastructure, airport negotiations, implementation of state legislation, economic development, Al, energy, workforce, and data centers.
My interest is grounded in being useful to the city, to Council, and to residents during an important period for Charlotte.
Community Leader Rob Harrington
Do you intend to run for reelection?
No
State your interest in serving as interim mayor
I have lived and worked in Charlotte since 1999. I am deeply attached to the city and its residents. Because of that attachment, I have served faithfully a range of civic and charitable roles. Some of those roles are highlighted elsewhere in this application.
I believe the interim mayor’s position provides an opportunity to serve as a facilitator among the current city council members and assist them in reaching their collective goals. The interim mayor also will serve as a bridge to the City Manager and his office and to the host of dedicated city employees.
Strengths that I would bring to the position include the ability to facilitate communication between members, the ability to communicate effectively with the public, and experience in facilitating meetings involving persons with disparate positions. I view the interim mayor’s role as a bridge between now and the period that will begin with the election of the next mayor and council.
Community Leader Carrie Cook
Do you intend to run for reelection?
No
State your interest in serving as interim mayor
Serving as Interim Mayor would be a privilege and opportunity to bring decades of leadership experience during a time where my skills and relationships could help facilitate stability and engagement. I was raised in Charlotte and have spent my entire life working with and across different groups to build trust, engage thoughtfully, steward resources, and take action. I’ve had the opportunity to lead and work with a number of community, nonprofit, civic, and business groups to advance issues ranging from neighborhoods and safety to transportation and economic development.
Throughout my childhood as a student at Derita Elementary, Ranson Middle School, and Vance High School (Chambers), I was mentored and supported by incredible Charlotteans. My goal has always been to pay it forward and through the years I’ve been fortunate enough to do exactly that. But what I’m most proud of isn’t what I’ve done, it’s how I’ve done it.
I’ve led with duty, integrity, joy, and a curious mindset. I help facilitate thoughtful dialogue while remaining principled and firm. When I led Greenlight Fund Charlotte, the folks who sat around the decision-making table were a group I intentionally curated to represent different voices in our city. From community organizers and residents with lived experience on the proximate issues, to small business owners and CEOs; I believed deeply that everyone at the table brought valuable perspective and expertise. I also led us to decision making through a process and I believe that skill - leading people with different perspectives to make decisions through a process - is important. I’ve done it in several roles and my intentionality, transparency, and professionalism as a leader is what I’d offer to this body.
It would be a great honor to continue my public service as Interim Mayor and I am not seeking public office through a campaign following this period. I believe it is important to declare that publicly. My goal would be to serve well and then continue on enjoying my other roles as a Charlottean.
Those roles include being a mom, wife, sister, friend, and organizer with deep leadership and relationship building experience. Continuing to create economic opportunity, build trust with a broad range of people, govern well, and lead with integrity are part of the reasons I am energized to work with this city council.
Community Leader Robert Hillman
Do you intend to run for reelection?
Prefer Not to Respond
State your interest in serving as interim mayor
I respectfully request your support for my appointment as Interim Mayor.
Charlotte faces four interconnected challenges: economic growth, job creation, and inclusion; land use; public transportation; and public safety.
These issues cannot be addressed in isolation. When local businesses are unable to access qualified local talent because transportation systems and land use policies do not effectively connect residents to employment opportunities, economic mobility is constrained, businesses face workforce shortages, and opportunities for inclusive growth are diminished. When economic mobility is limited, disparities persist, and public safety challenges arise.
My interest in serving as Interim Mayor is rooted in a desire to help develop solutions that address these challenges holistically. I am committed to supporting policies and initiatives that strengthen economic development, expand access to employment, improve transportation connectivity, allocate scarce land effectively, and enhance the quality of life for all Charlotte residents. By creating pathways to opportunity - both literally and figuratively - we can build a stronger, safer, and more prosperous Charlotte for everyone.
My qualifications for service reflect experience in public policy, business, and workforce development. Through service on the Centralina Economic Development Commission, the Public Transit Advisory Committee, and the Business Advisory Committee, as well as my role as CEO of Queen City Robotics Alliance, I have gained valuable insight into economic development, transportation, and workforce needs. My professional background as an engineer and investment banker further provides the technical, financial, and strategic perspective needed to contribute effectively to the work of the City Council of Charlotte.
Former Mayor Jennifer Roberts
Do you intend to run for reelection?
No
State your interest in serving as interim mayor
I have had the honor of serving this city as mayor before. I did not plan to jump back into policits [sic], but so many people in the community have asked me to offer my service as interim mayor that I feel called to do so. If you so choose, I would offer my time and my support for the challenges that the city is currently facing, and put every effort into guiding the city on the path where the council and the city staff are steering it. I know that an interim should not seek any bold changes in direction, and I have confidence in our professional staff who work tirelessly to meet the many needs of our rapidly growing city and region. It would be a seamless and fairly quick transition, as I know how the city operates, and there would be no need for yet another process to replace someone else already serving in office.
I would not require a salary or benefits for this interim position, so I could save a small bit for the city budget. My family and I do not currently have any business or financial interests before the city, as my husband is fully retired and my part time work has been with a nonprofit that has no city contracts and seeks none. I would bring my experience as a former mayor and county commissioner to the job, with a promise not to serve beyond the interim period or to seek to run for a full term in 2027.
Labor Leader Sebastian Feculac
Do you intend to run for reelection?
No
State your interest in serving as interim mayor
My interest in serving as interim mayor is based on my experience over a decade of working with elected officials, local and state agencies, and community groups on a variety of issues, but especially workforce development and economic empowerment.
However, I believe I have the nuance understanding of what the council has to accomplish in the remainder of the time in the mayoral vacancy, and I would like to work in an efficient manner for the council to be able to accomplish it’s policy goals over the next year.
I already understand many of the different goals of the council and the legal limits under state law that local policy is enacted under
I would like to continue to work on improving safety, workforce development and supporting workers in the city
Continue to support our local government in driving economic investments across all our city districts
Planning Commissioner Clayton Sealey
Do you intend to run for reelection?
No
State your interest in serving as interim mayor
Quite simply, because we need to harness the best of Charlotte’s past while preparing for the opportunities and challenges of its future. The Charlotte I grew up in was entrepreneurial, business-minded, and ambitious. It was a place where people came to build careers, start businesses, raise families, and create better lives for themselves and their children. We need to preserve that spirit while ensuring the benefits of growth reach every corner of our community. As our region continues to grow, we must invest in mobility, public safety, and the small businesses that give Charlotte its character, while making the smart infrastructure investments necessary to support our future. If we get this right, Charlotte can remain a city where opportunity is within reach, where people feel safe and supported, and where the next generation has an even brighter future than the one we inherited.
Congressional Staffer Yara Al Bayyari
Note: Al Bayyari is a contributor to Soccer Sheet by Y’all Weekly
Do you intend to run for reelection?
Prefer Not to Respond
State your interest in serving as interim mayor
I am interested in serving as Interim Mayor because I care deeply about Charlotte and believe this moment presents an opportunity to help guide our city through a period of extraordinary growth and change. I moved to Charlotte to attend UNC Charlotte and, like so many others, chose to make this city my home. Over the years, I have watched Charlotte grow into one of the fastest-growing cities in the nation, attracting new residents, businesses, and opportunities every day. That growth brings tremendous promise, but it also requires thoughtful leadership to ensure that affordability, mobility, public safety, economic opportunity, and quality of life remain priorities for all Charlotteans. Through my work as a Senior District Liaison for Congresswoman Alma Adams, I have spent the last three years helping residents navigate complicated federal agencies and the problems that come with them and have done my best to connect with critical resources whenever I can. That experience has reinforced my belief that effective leadership begins with emphatic listening, collaboration, transparency, and a commitment to public service.
While I recognize that I would bring a nontraditional background to the role, I believe my experience working directly with our constituents, community organizations, elected officials, and federal agencies has prepared me to approach challenges thoughtfully and build consensus around solutions. I am particularly passionate about ensuring that Charlotte continues to be a city where longtime residents and newcomers alike are seen and heard. My interest in serving as Interim Mayor is rooted in a desire to give back to the city that has given me so much and to help ensure that Charlotte’s next chapter is one defined by opportunity, inclusion, and responsible growth.
Zach Claywell
(@LOLCLT on Social Media)
Do you intend to run for reelection?
No
State your interest in serving as interim mayor
I am interested in serving as Interim Mayor because I love the Queen City and I want to help make it a better place. I have proudly lived in Charlotte, North Carolina since I graduated college in 2010. I am an intelligent, passionate, civic-minded citizen who cares deeply about the people of this city.
I would like to serve as Interim Mayor for the same reason anyone joins Local Government: I want to help people.
I want to help people like my friend Chelsea who is a CMS teacher who tells me about severe school underfunding and understaffing making her job more difficult by the day.
I want to help the children in CMS schools get the education they deserve and were promised - no matter which neighborhood they live in.
I want to help the people I see everyday on the busses and trains who deserve a dignified, clean, safe, and timely way to get to work.
I want to help people like my friend Andrew who was the victim of a hit-and-run as a pedestrian and almost lost the use of his legs.
I want to help the unhoused people on North Tryon living in tents, in the shadows of banking skyscrapers, despite living in the wealthiest country on earth.
I want to help immigrants who were harassed and wrongfully detained by ICE and local Black populations who face daily harassment from local law enforcement.
I want to help the trees, the birds, and the creeks, so that their natural beauty and various health benefits can continue to bless our citizens for years to come.
I want to help myself gain a few social media followers for my amateur comedy career. Hey, at least I’m honest! It’s way low on the list, though, to be fair.
Look, I know you’re not going to select me. I’m not even sure that you *should* select me.
However, I know that if you DID select me, I would do everything in my power to learn every law, provision, zoning guideline, et cetera that the job required. I would research every issue, lean on subject matter experts, and ask people smarter than me for advice when applicable. I would then compassionately and logically make the best decision that I could.
And honestly? That’s all I ask of my public servants.
Former County Commissioner Harold Cogdell
Do you intend to run for reelection?
No
State your interest in serving as interim mayor
Charlotte has given me so much during the past 35 plus years of residing here. Unfortunately, for a variety of reasons, many have not experienced the benefits of Charlotte’s prosperity. Government can and should play a role in leveling the economic opportunities playing field. I have genuinely enjoyed dialogue, debate and discussion about the role local government plays in strengthening our city, county, and region. I find it deeply gratifying to participate in the process of developing thoughtful policy and establishing organizational priorities that reflect community values and address community needs. I am a firm believer in the old adage, blessed is he who plants trees under whose shade he will never sit. It would be a welcome challenge to help facilitate transparent, thoughtful, and respectful dialogue focusing on the city’s role in ensuring Charlotte’s desirability continues for generations to come.
It is unrealistic to believe that consensus can result on every issue. Hearty issue focused debate is healthy and necessary for development of sound policy. Pragmatic equitable investment decisions, which are ever mindful of areas of historical underinvestment, are critical to ensuring that Charlotte will provide opportunities to thrive for all. Regrettably, the current manner and culture that America governs itself is shameful. Charlotte can and should be the national example of how a visionary and inclusive community can listen closely, consider carefully, and respond thoughtfully to a variety of stakeholder interests. Nothing would be more rewarding than playing a temporary role in guiding Councilmembers and city staff to a more trusting, respectful, transparent, and service-oriented culture of governance.