Vi Alexander Lyles - Ballotpedia

Vi Lyles is from Columbia, South Carolina. She has a bachelor's degree in political science from Queens University and a master's degree in public administration from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She has two children.

Vi is a consultant. She worked at the Lee Institute and Flynn Heath Holt Leadership, where she provided consulting services to nonprofits and government agencies. Before that, Vi worked for the city of Charlotte as an assistant city manager from 1996 to 2004. 

Vi is currently the mayor of Charlotte. She was first elected in 2017 and has been re-elected in 2019, 2022, and 2023. Before becoming mayor, Lyles served on the Charlotte City Council from 2013 to 2017.

Channel 9 Primary Election Guide: Charlotte mayoral candidates

Plans to prioritize improving residents' quality of life through "safe, affordable living spaces, quality transportation, and good-paying jobs."

Lists her top priority as improving residents' quality of life through "safe, affordable living spaces, quality transportation, and good-paying jobs."

- Lists her top priority as improving residents' quality of life through "safe, affordable living spaces, quality transportation, and good-paying jobs."

Economy

Supports the Racial Equity Initiative, which invests $250 million to promote equality in education, digital access, and corporate leadership diversity.

- Supports the Racial Equity Initiative, which invests $250 million to promote equality in education, digital access, and corporate leadership diversity.

Public Services

Supports the 2040 plan, which aims to streamline the process for building new housing.

Supports streamlining the process for building new housing.

As mayor, helped secure $150 million towards affordable housing projects, benefiting more than 5,000 families.

- Supports streamlining the process for building new housing.
- As mayor, helped secure $150 million towards affordable housing projects, benefiting more than 5,000 families.

Housing & Urban Development

Meet the Mayor - City of Charlotte

As mayor, supported the SAFE Charlotte plan, which aims to improve community well-being and safety.

As mayor, supported the SAFE Charlotte plan, a comprehensive approach to community well-being.

As mayor, implemented the Alternatives to Violence program, which aims to reduce crime through community engagement and conflict resolution.

Supported the Alternatives to Violence program, which aims to reduce crime through community engagement and conflict resolution.

- As mayor, supported the SAFE Charlotte plan, a comprehensive approach to community well-being.
- Supported the Alternatives to Violence program, which aims to reduce crime through community engagement and conflict resolution.

Public Safety

As mayor, expanded the Charlotte Area Transit System by integrating a 19-mile light rail line that now links key parts of the city.

As mayor, supported building a 19-mile light rail line that links key parts of the city.

Supports a sales tax increase to improve the transit system, saying it is "fundamental to our future" to connect jobs and housing through a reliable mass transit system.

Supported a sales tax increase to improve the transit system, including improvements to buses, rail, roads, walking, and biking.

- As mayor, supported building a 19-mile light rail line that links key parts of the city.
- Supported a sales tax increase to improve the transit system, including improvements to buses, rail, roads, walking, and biking.

Transportation & Infrastructure

As of July 22, 2025, Vi Lyles did not have a website or any information online.

Education

Ethics & Conduct

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Vi Lyles

Vi Lyles - Wikipedia

Vi Lyles is from Columbia, South Carolina. She has a bachelor's degree in political science from Queens University and a master's degree in public administration from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She has two children from her first marriage, Kwame Alexander and Aisha Alexander-Young.

Vi is a consultant. She worked at the Lee Institute and Flynn Heath Holt Leadership, where she provided consulting services to nonprofits and government agencies. She previously worked for the city of Charlotte as a budget analyst, budget director, and assistant city manager. 

Vi Lyles is currently the Mayor of Charlotte. She was first elected in 2017 and has been re-elected in 2019, 2022, and 2023. Before becoming mayor, Lyles served on the Charlotte City Council from 2013 to 2017, and was elected as mayor pro tem in 2015. 

As mayor, aided the creation of over 27,000 new jobs by securing expansions from companies like Honeywell, Lowes, and Microsoft.

As city council member, helped create Charlotte's first capital budget and restructure government assessment programs.

- The mayor leads the executive branch of local government, presiding over city council meetings, making sure city departments run smoothly, and providing services to citizens. 
- The mayor attends and runs City Council meetings, serving as an important leader for how local laws get set. These laws affect local services, such as Police, City Planning, Parks & Recreation, and Transportation.  
- The Mayor in some circumstances may vote to break a tie in council meetings. They do not have veto power.