JD Mazuera Arias | CHCI

Young Hispanic man who went to college as a "dreamer" aspires to ...

Juan Diego (JD) Mazuera Arias was born in Pereira, Risaralda, Colombia, and raised in Charlotte, North Carolina. He has a bachelor's degree in political science from Queens University of Charlotte and a master's degree in public administration from New York University.

JD founded the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute and currently serves as its vice president of civic engagement. Previously, he worked as a senior government affairs assistant for the Century Foundation, a progressive think tank, and as a legislative fellow for Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. 

East alumnus Mazuera-Arias runs for city council – The Eagle

This is JD's first time running for public office.

Supports targeting and incentivizing investment in low-risk, high-impact areas.

Supports encouraging investments in "low-risk, high-impact areas."

- Supports encouraging investments in "low-risk, high-impact areas."

Economy

As of July 22, 2025, Juan Diego (J.D.) Mazuera Arias’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Public Services

Supports increasing affordable units within mixed-use developments.

Supports increasing affordable units in mixed-use developments.

Supports exploring rent stabilization pilots and tenant protections to help residents stay housed.

Supports trying rent stabilization and improving renter protection laws to help residents stay housed.

Supports expanding down payment assistance and ownership pathways for first-time and long-time Charlotte residents.

Supports expanding down payment assistance and ownership pathways for Charlotte residents.

Supports preserving naturally occurring affordable housing and supporting legacy homeowners.

Supports preserving affordable housing and supporting legacy homeowners.

- Supports increasing affordable units in mixed-use developments.
- Supports trying rent stabilization and improving renter protection laws to help residents stay housed.
- Supports expanding down payment assistance and ownership pathways for Charlotte residents.
- Supports preserving affordable housing and supporting legacy homeowners.

Housing & Urban Development

Supports expanding non-police emergency response services, including mental health crisis teams and reintegration support.

Supports incorporating trauma-informed practices and community participation in all public safety strategies.

- Supports expanding non-police emergency response services, including mental health crisis teams and reintegration support.
- Supports incorporating trauma-informed practices and community participation in all public safety strategies.

Public Safety

Supports funding mobility hubs and bike lanes in transit deserts, especially near new developments.

Supports funding transportation hubs and bike lanes, especially near new developments and areas with little public transportation.

Supports improving the frequency and reliability of bus service along Central, Monroe, Albemarle, and The Plaza.

Supports the full build-out of the LYNX Silver Line and CityLYNX Gold Line with input from East Charlotte.

Supports completely building the LYNX Silver Line and CityLYNX Gold Line with input from East Charlotte.

Supports microtransit and accessible pedestrian pathways near senior housing and schools.

Supports microtransit and accessible walkways near senior housing and schools.

- Supports funding transportation hubs and bike lanes, especially near new developments and areas with little public transportation.
- Supports improving the frequency and reliability of bus service along Central, Monroe, Albemarle, and The Plaza.
- Supports completely building the LYNX Silver Line and CityLYNX Gold Line with input from East Charlotte.
- Supports microtransit and accessible walkways near senior housing and schools.

Transportation & Infrastructure

Education

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Juan Diego (J.D.) Mazuera Arias

Supports the full build-out of the LYNX Silver Line and CityLYNX Gold Line with input from East Charlotte residents.

Advocated for racial and disability equity in education, workforce development, healthcare, and economic policy.

Juan Diego Mazuera Arias is from Charlotte, North Carolina. He has a bachelorâs degree in political science from Queens University of Charlotte and a masterâs degree in public administration from New York Universityâs Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service. He is the son of Colombian immigrants.

Juan previously served as the Chair of the Hispanic Democratic Caucus of Mecklenburg County and the founder of the North Carolina Latino Political Caucus. He also served as Communications Director for the Hispanic-American Democrats of Mecklenburg County and worked on multiple political campaigns as a field organizer and campus organizer. He was a legislative Fellow, part of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute, which gave him access to many of these opportunities. He went on to serve in Congress as a Legislative Fellow in the Office of U.S. Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, where he co-led her immigration policy portfolio, advocating for humane immigration reforms and stronger protections for immigrant communities. JD then joined The Century Foundation, a leading progressive think tank, as a Senior Government Affairs Assistant, advocating for racial and disability equity in education, workforce development, healthcare, and economic policy. JD volunteered for the campaigns of Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton when he was 17, but this was just the beginning. In less than 10 years, he had worked for the Democratic National Committee, co-led the immigration policy for Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and became a senior government affairs assistant to the Century Foundation where he lobbied members of Congress and the president's staff.

- 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. 