Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles, a Democrat, has been re-elected with over 70% of the vote, securing a landslide victory in North Carolina’s largest city. The result highlights the Democratic Party’s continued dominance in Charlotte, which has not seen a Republican mayor since the election of former Governor Pat McCrory in 2009. The re-election comes amid controversy following the August murder of Iryna Zarutska, a 23-year-old Ukrainian refugee, on the Lynx Blue Line train.
Zarutska, who worked as a customer service representative, was sitting on the train after her shift when she was randomly and violently stabbed to death. The gruesome incident went viral, reigniting concerns about public safety in Charlotte. Decarlos Brown Jr., a 34-year-old man with a long criminal record, was charged with her murder. The attack has sparked national debates about crime policies and the role of law enforcement in addressing systemic issues such as homelessness and mental health.
Lyles’ emphasis on societal factors rather than criminal history has drawn criticism from Republican opposition. In a statement following the murder, Lyles highlighted the need to address root causes such as mental health and homelessness, stating that