Vi Lyles, Malcolm Graham and ... David Tepper? Who might run for Charlotte mayor in 2023?

Candidate filing in Charlotte is two weeks away, and it’s still unclear who is officially running for mayor in the Queen City.

In her third term as mayor, Vi Lyles hasn’t yet said if she plans to run again in 2023 and has dodged public questions when asked directly.

After Charlotte saw six mayors between 2013 and 2017, Democratic political consultant Dan McCorkle says Lyles stabilized city government, and precinct numbers show she’s hard to beat. She’s worked for the city of Charlotte since 1975 and has a “no drama” approach to governing, he said.

“This person would have to be super human to beat Vi Lyles in 2023 in the primary. In the general, there’s no Republican that could do it,” said McCorkle, who’s consulted more than 80 Democratic campaigns in the Charlotte area. “Billy Graham gets resurrected; it’d still be tough.”

Charlotte may not know Lyles’ intentions or whether anyone will put up a fight until after July 7, when filing opens, but here are a few names, in no particular order, that could be on the ballot for mayor based on political prominence or recent decisions.

No one has made official announcements, inquired about filing for Charlotte mayor or opened a committee to do so as of Thursday, according to the Mecklenburg County Board of Elections.

Vi Lyles

Lyles has been tight-lipped about whether she’s running for mayor this November, but she’s the candidate most are expecting to see on their ballots.

At a June 7 lunch with business executives, she dodged a question about running, but spoke about the job.

“Every day of the week is something that’s exciting to do. I think at some point, the city ought to consider having different form of government,” Lyles said during the lunch. “I think the mayor needs more power. It’s not an easy job. In other cities and communities, mayors have a point of authority for various organizations and departments of government, and we’re getting to be a big enough city.”

Malcolm Graham

Representing north Charlotte neighborhoods like Third and Fourth Wards and Wesley Heights, Malcolm Graham’s time on council goes deeper than recent history.

The District 2 representative has served in the role since 2019, but also served from 1999 to 2005 before winning a seat in the North Carolina Senate.

In the current city council term, Graham has taken the lead on the Eastland Yards project as chair of the economic development committee. He also placed accountability on the city manager for CATS troubles in public meetings and when asked by reporters — something other council members were more hesitant to do.

“He is the boss. I will respect him as the boss and he has broad shoulders to shoulder a lot of responsibility to do it,” Graham said about the city manager. “But for me, that’s where the accountability for my variety of issues started and stopped.”

Graham did not respond to a request for comment about whether he’d be interested in running for mayor.

Leigh Altman

Dilworth resident, at-large Mecklenburg County Commissioner and Metropolitan Transit Commission member Leigh Altman found a new voice this year.

After revelations about mismanagement at the Charlotte Area Transit Commission came to light, including a light rail derailment, Altman challenged the agency publicly and pushed for an independent investigation.

“The failure to disclose the train derailment is inexcusable. Of all of CATS’ problems over the last year, this is the most egregious,” Altman said at a March meeting. “I will be seeking assurances that the trains are indeed safe.”

Asked Thursday, Altman didn’t rule out the possibility of running for Charlotte mayor.

“Never say never, I would definitely keep that door open,” she said. “We’ll have to see what the future holds, but I do love my position on the county commission.”

McCorkle, Altman’s campaign manager, didn’t reveal any secret plans for Altman to run for mayor during a Thursday interview.

“She loves being on the county commission and she’s learning to be an extremely strong vote-getter,” he said.

Dimple Ajmera

At-large Councilwoman Dimple Ajmera told The Charlotte Observer in September she expected to become mayor pro tem, the second-in-command on the council. Ultimately, the council decided Braxton Winston was best for the job.

“I’ve earned it,” the top at-large vote getter said in the September interview.

But when it comes to the mayor seat, Ajmera’s already hinted at her intentions.

“I’m really happy where I am right now,” Ajmera said in February. “I remember how it was being on a campaign trail with an infant. Certainly my plate is full right now.”

She also welcomed a new baby in February

She did not respond to a question about potential plans to run for mayor this year.

McCorkle, who also serves as Ajmera’s campaign manager, has dreams beyond the at-large seat for the councilwoman.

“Showing strength citywide last time really shows her to be a contender for whatever offices she chooses in the future,” he said.

Braxton Winston

Current Mayor Pro Tem Braxton Winston has already made an announcement about his next election.

In April, Winston announced a bid to become North Carolina’s next Commissioner of Labor in 2024. Filing for that seat hasn’t started yet, though, so he could still file for local office if Lyles decides not to run.

One factor regardless of Lyles’ intentions: the state labor commissioner job pays a lot better than the Charlotte mayor job. Current Labor Commissioner Josh Dobson takes home about $146,421 annually. Lyles currently makes about $41,000 with a $10,000 travel budget, according to a city spokesman.

“The core responsibilities of the Department of Labor are to ensure the health and safety of workers in the workplace, and that has to be the No. 1 priority,” Winston said in an interview with the Observer after his announcement. “And we need to ensure worker rights to fair wages.”

David Tepper

This one isn’t serious. David Tepper is registered to vote in Florida, but the billionaire owner of the Carolina Panthers does have sway in the Queen City. And with reports that discussions about Panthers Stadium renovations started at $600 million in public funding, Tepper could be paying closer attention than usual to city government next term.

But things haven’t always been smooth sailing for Tepper in Charlotte.

Last year, he pulled out of a deal that would bring a Charlotte FC soccer academy to Eastland Yards — the new name for the site of a mall demolished more than 10 years ago. A failed Panthers practice facility and headquarters development in Rock Hill, South Carolina, was declared “dead” after construction was halted last March.

Even in an imaginary Tepper mayoral bid, he’d face conflict of interest questions about how to handle Panthers and Charlotte FC business.

Stephanie de Sarachaga-Bilbao

The last Republican challenger to face Lyles was Stephanie de Sarachaga-Bilbao, a first generation Mexican American who ran for elected office the first time last year.

Lyles ultimately proved victorious with 69% of the vote, but 22,000 Charlotteans cast ballots for De Sarachaga-Bilbao.

It’s unclear if she’ll run again, but her campaign website from last year is now inactive.

Two people say ‘no’

Jennifer Roberts served as mayor from 2015 to 2017 — when Lyles beat her in the Democratic primary — and as county commission chair. Roberts told the Observer she’s focused on a new position as co-chair of the Commission on the Future of Elections in North Carolina with former N.C. Supreme Court Justice Bob Orr.

The cross-partisan job prevents her from running for elected office, she said.

“There is a lot of misinformation out there,” Roberts said. “And if you don’t have people trusting elections, you don’t have a solid democracy.”

George Dunlap is chair of the Mecklenburg County Commission with a school board and police background. Dunlap said unequivocally he’s not considering running for mayor.

The primary election for the mayor and Charlotte City Council is scheduled for Sept. 12. The general election is Nov. 7.