CHARLOTTE, N.C. — As Charlotteans enjoyed Thanksgiving Day festivities, mayor Vi Lyles took time to share a recorded message to her social media with her family, sharing what she's thankful for.
She also used the video to confirm her plans for 2022: she's running for re-election.
"I want you to know I'm so proud of our community for all of the good works that our community is doing, for jobs and housing and so much more," she said on Thursday. "And I also want to let you know -- and I ask for your support -- that I'm going to run for re-election in 2022."
Lyles, who is the Democratic incumbent and Charlotte's first African-American female mayor, is thus far the only person to declare her intentions for the 2022 election. She rose to the position of mayor in a career of public service, starting in the city's budget department before becoming the budget director. She would then go on to become the assistant city manager before retiring from public administration and then being elected Mayor Pro Tem in 2015. Lyles served two consecutive terms in an at-large seat on the city council as well.
The mayoral race was one of a handful of Charlotte elections delayed until 2022. City leaders previously said delayed census data from 2020 forced them to push the date back.
CONNECT THE DOTS: 2021 election in Charlotte postponed due to delay in census data
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