6 places District 6 candidates differ in Charlotte’s closely watched City Council rematch

The candidates running in Charlotte’s most closely watched election in 2023 agree somewhat on the biggest issues facing their part of town, but they’ve got different ideas on solutions.

Republican incumbent Tariq Bokhari, an entrepreneur, is squaring off against Democrat Stephanie Hand, a United Methodist minister and former airport administrator, to represent District 6 on the City Council. The two are no strangers to each other or voters in their south Charlotte district: Bokhari defeated Hand by fewer than 400 votes in 2022.

Asked about the key issues facing the district, both candidates raised similar topics, including transportation, public safety and growing Charlotte’s economy in a rapidly changing world. But they offer different approaches on how to address those issues. They also spoke about what sets them apart from each other.

Here’s what the candidates said about their views on key issues in District 6.

Bokhari, Hand on transportation issues

Transportation is an issue in District 6 and throughout Charlotte that “we must resolve,” Hand said.

She said that means having a “stellar” transit system that can get people to and from where they need to go “in a timely and efficient manner.”

“We know that this is an issue that has gone from the local stage to statewide to even federal, so we’ve got to really address that,” she said.

CATS has faced turmoil in recent months, including a change in leadership and train derailment that raised questions about safety. In September, multiple Mecklenburg County mayors and a county commissioner released a letter calling for more oversight over the public transit agency.

Hand also said that environmental sustainability is a priority for her, including preserving greenways and parks that help promote “a strong quality of life” in the district.

Bokhari also mentioned transportation as a key issue in District 6, saying he frequently hears from constituents concerned about rezoning issues because “traffic is becoming unbearable.”

“And instead of building a roads-first plan we know we need to have, all of our other leaders continue to pander to those they promised the Silver Line to even though they know it is dead,” he said.

CATS describes the Silver Line as “a planned 29-mile, 30 station light rail alignment from the City of Belmont in Gaston County, through Center City Charlotte and the Town of Matthews, into Union County.”

Bokhari said he thinks city leaders need to “switch gears” and that District 6’s needs need to be well-represented in future plans so that its infrastructure isn’t left behind.

“We are not focusing on our core priority as a city government, which is things like roads and infrastructure … Our infrastructure is crumbling out from underneath us,” he said.

The City Council discussed a sales tax increase to fund new rail lines and bus routes at a retreat earlier in 2023, the Observer reported at the time. But North Carolina Republican House Speaker Tim Moore blasted the city’s transit plan, saying it needed to focus more on roads and less on public transit and bike lanes, at a January forum with the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance.

Bokhari, Hand on their party affiliations

Although he’s a Republican in a city whose leadership has become increasingly Democratic in recent years, Bokhari said it’s important to note issues of party “do not almost ever play into the big questions of the day” on the City Council.

“In fact, it’s been more, you know, district representatives versus at large for some of the big items, or, in some cases, more logical approaches versus less logical,” he said.

Still, he acknowledged, the “D” or “R” next to someone’s name on a ballot can affect what voters think. And, he added, it’s important to maintain some diversity of opinions on the City Council in order to foster debate and creative thinking.

“There is no danger by any stretch of the imagination that I get reelected, and the city is going to take a hard right turn, and there’s now going to be a Republican agenda in place,” he said.

Hand said that, while she’s running as a Democrat, she would strive to represent everyone across the political spectrum if elected.

“I will have the tough conversations with all groups of people, even the groups of people who are sitting (elections) out, because that’s what makes our city stronger and better,” she said.

Bokhari, Hand on public safety issues

In his time in office, Bokhari said he’s heard from constituents frequently about public safety concerns.

The councilman said he’s particularly concerned about staffing issues and morale within Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police.

“CMPD is at the lowest levels of morale and recruitment and retention that I’ve seen,” he said.

Moving forward, Bokhari said it’s important to not villainize police and to take into account the needs of victims of crimes when making policy decisions.

Hand said she’s heard from District 6 residents that they “want safe communities and clean communities.”

If elected, she said she would prioritize hearing regularly from constituents in order to help develop community-based solutions.

Bokhari, Hand on Charlotte’s economy

Both Bokhari and Hand cited the importance of developing a 21st century economy in Charlotte in order to promote job creation.

Bokhari noted the banking industry, a key part of Charlotte’s economy, “is being disrupted worldwide by technology.”

He said he’s working to help make Charlotte “an AI tech hub” in order to help local businesses keep up with those changes.

Hand said she’s particularly interested in finding ways to “expand upon women entrepreneurs and leaders in our businesses.”

Bokhari, Hand on their approaches to leadership

Hand told the Observer communication with constituents will be a major priority for her if she takes office.

“It really boils down to this: If I’m going to be a representative for the people of District 6, I’ve got to know the people of District 6,” she said.

If elected, Hand pledged she would host neighborhood forums and engagement events with other organizations and businesses within her first 100 days in office.

Bokhari said his previous time on the City Council and in-depth knowledge of the issues on the table gives him a leg up in his ability to lead.

The councilman said he “very much likes” Hand from getting to know her on the campaign trail but that he’s been troubled by her lack of specificity in debates when asked about issues such as the city’s unified development ordinance.

“It takes deep homework and diligence to be able to do this job adequately,” he said.

Development

In response to a question on the Observer’s candidate survey about how the City Council should approach development decisions, Bokhari said he starts with “fighting for removing burdensome regulation and focusing on tailoring ordinances for the outcomes that we care about and are most important.”

“Predictability translates into a more business friendly environment and greater affordability. When specific transactions arise pitting neighbors against developers, I find a very hands-on approach enables us to find middle ground where everyone can win,” he continued.

Responding to the same question on her survey, Hand said she would “address development issues through the utilization of town hall and small group meetings to ensure the D 6 community’s voice is heard.”

“As a leader, I will engage with the community’s neighborhood meetings. I will lead with integrity and not engage in conflicts of interest in all decision-making processes. I will evaluate economic benefits of proposed developments and support to the community,” she said.

Want more coverage of Charlotte-area government and politics? Subscribe here for free to the Observer’s weekly CLT Politics newsletter and never miss a story