Wilbert "Wil" Russell has lived in Charlotte for 20 years. He has a bachelor's degree in construction management from Auburn University. He and his wife, Melanie, have two kids. 

Wil is a senior construction manager at Laurel Street, where he oversees the construction of multiple affordable housing projects in Georgia and North Carolina. He previously worked at a local general contracting firm. 

Wil Russell - Ballotpedia

Wil previously ran for Charlotte City Council member in 2017 and 2023, but did not win. 

- Supports locally-owned small businesses.

Economy

Plans to address littering in District 4.

- Plans to address littering in District 4.

Public Services

Believes revising the zoning ordinance should be the top priority, saying, "City planning anticipates it will take four years to complete the new Unified Development Ordinance. This is too long."

Supports revising the zone ordinance, saying, "City planning anticipates it will take four years to complete the new Unified Development Ordinance. This is too long."

Wants to manage growth in District 4 to preserve the community's unique character.

- Supports affordable housing initiatives.
- Supports revising the zone ordinance, saying, "City planning anticipates it will take four years to complete the new Unified Development Ordinance. This is too long."
- Wants to manage growth in District 4 to preserve the community's unique character.

Housing & Urban Development

Believes safety is essential for a thriving community and plans to enhance District 4 safety through collaboration with neighborhood leaders, churches, and residents, rather than solely relying on arrests.

Supports improving community safety by working with neighborhood leaders, churches, and residents, and not relying on arrests.

- Supports improving community safety by working with neighborhood leaders, churches, and residents, and not relying on arrests.

Public Safety

Supports building Park and Ride facilities, bike lanes, and pedestrian paths to increase travel options for District 4 residents.

Supports building Park and Ride facilities, bike lanes, and walkways to increase travel options for District 4 residents.

Supports improving Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) operations to enhance connectivity to the LYNX Blue Line.

Supports improving Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) operations to better connect areas like Highland Creek and Davis Lake to the light rail.

- Supports building Park and Ride facilities, bike lanes, and walkways to increase travel options for District 4 residents.
- Supports improving Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) operations to better connect areas like Highland Creek and Davis Lake to the light rail.

Transportation & Infrastructure

Said he is "committed to being a strong voice for our community on more than just city-related issues such as K-12 schools, healthcare, and social services that are critical to District 4 residents."

- Said he is "committed to being a strong voice for our community on more than just city-related issues such as K-12 schools, healthcare, and social services that are critical to District 4 residents."

Education

Instagram

Wil Russell

Said, "Wil is committed to being a strong voice for our community on more than just city-related issues such as K-12 schools, healthcare, and social services that are critical to District 4 residents."

Said, he is "committed to being a strong voice for our community on more than just city-related issues such as K-12 schools, healthcare, and social services that are critical to District 4 residents."

Wilbert "Wil" Russell is from Charlotte, North Carolina. He has a bachelor 

's degree in construction management from Auburn University. He and his wife Melanie live in District 4 with their 7-year-old daughter Taylor and 2-year-old son Zacahry.

Wil is a senior construction manager at Laurel Street, where he oversees the construction of multiple affordable housing projects in Georgia and North Carolina. He previously worked at a local general contracting firm, where he managed projects on several college campuses with budgets up to $30 million. 

Will's campaign for Charlotte City Council Member, District 4, is his first entry into politics. Wil Russell (Democratic Party) ran for election to the Charlotte City Council to represent District 4 in North Carolina. Russell lost in the Democratic primary on September 12, 2023. 

Will Russell

Will Russell's campaign for Charlotte City Council Member, District 4, Democratic Primary is his first entry into politics. Wil Russell ran for election to the Charlotte City Council to represent District 4 in North Carolina. Russell lost in the Democratic primary on September 12, 2023. 

Supports prioritizing local small businesses over large corporations in economic development efforts.

As of July 22, 2025, Will Russell’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Believes revising the zoning ordinance should be a top priority to avoid locking in current development standards for the next four years.

Plans to focus on enhancing procedural justice, reducing implicit bias, and fostering reconciliation to repair the relationship between communities of color and the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD).

Proposes eliminating the Uptown Transit Center and transitioning to direct bus-to-bus transfers.

As of July 22, 2025, Will Russell 2 did not have a website or any information online.

Will Russell 2

Will Russell's campaign for Charlotte City Council Member, District 4, Democratic Primary is his first entry into politics. He previously ran for the seat in 2023 but did not win.

Believes waiting four years for new development standards will "lock in" current building practices of large parking lots and contentious rezoning petitions.

- City council members work together to set and implement city policy. 
- The city council is tasked with ensuring the health, comfort, and safety of residents of the city.
- City council members work with the mayor to govern city departments, such as the police department, fire department, transportation department, and parks and recreation department. 
- City council members represent either the whole city or residents of a specific district. 