Upset brewing in District 4? Charlotte council candidates trade barbs over endorsements

A heated primary battle for the University City-area City Council seat is drawing endorsements and outside money, and it could unseat an incumbent.

Democratic Councilwoman Renee Perkins Johnson, who represents northeast Charlotte’s District 4, faces two challengers in her primary, Wil Russell and Olivia Scott.

The race has grown contentious, with Johnson, who has a background in transitional housing, and Russell, who works in construction, trading barbs over ties to development. Scott claims the fight has more to do with politics than people.

A trio of endorsements from prominent local leaders, including Mayor Vi Lyles, brought attention to Russell’s campaign. Russell said he welcomes the support, but Johnson says the endorsements are evidence the challenger would prop up a status quo she’s been fighting against.

Charlotte City Council District 4 candidates

Johnson has represented District 4 on the City Council since 2019, and she’s also the executive director of Triumph Services, which provides support services for trauma survivors.

She has “over 30 years of public service experience,” she said in her 2023 Charlotte Observer candidate survey, including with transitional housing programs and other nonprofits.

Russell is a senior construction manger for Harmon Construction Services, where he’s involved with “affordable housing projects across the Southeast,” according to his campaign.

He ran unsuccessfully for City Council in 2013 and 2017 and has served on the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Planning Commission, Charlotte Business Advisory Committee and with other community groups.

Scott is a member of the Charlotte Tree Advisory Committee and previously ran unsuccessfully for the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education. She has a background in education.

Who’s endorsing who in District 4?

Former Mayor Pro Tem Julie Eiselt and former at-large and District 4 council member Greg Phipps endorsed Russell in his race to unseat Johnson, his campaign announced in late August. That announcement came just over a week after Lyles endorsed Russell — a rare move.

Russell said he was honored to receive the endorsements because the trio “accomplished so much during their time on the City Council.”

His planning experience and familiarity with the city’s development strategy is part of what drew Eiselt to his campaign, she told the Observer.

“He’s worked on a lot of some of the most important issues that we’ve dealt with in the last decade,” she said. “... We need more people who have had long-term experience with the city, have seen where we’ve been, where we are now and how we got to where we are now.”

Russell’s “strong experience on affordable housing” would help him serve the district well, Phipps said in the statement announcing his endorsement.

Johnson said Russell’s endorsement from “those former council members” is no surprise.

“Their endorsements, along with the Mayor’s, simply reiterate that my opponent will align with the status quo,” she said. “He represents the development industry and will likely do things the same way that they’ve always been done. Which has led to imbalanced infrastructure, lack of affordable housing and gentrification of our vulnerable neighborhoods.”

Johnson also touted her own list of endorsements, which includes the Black Political Caucus of Charlotte Mecklenburg, the Service Employees International Union, the Charlotte Metrolina Labor Council and Mecklenburg County commissioners George Dunlap and Vilma Leake.

The Black Political Caucus reiterated its endorsement of Johnson and District 3 candidate Tiawana Brown in a statement Wednesday.

“Recent events have brought both of these extraordinary Black women into the spotlight, highlighting their dedication, resilience, and unwavering commitment to positive change,” the group said. “Resiliency is a defining trait of Black women throughout this country’s history and beyond. They have faced adversity with grace, emerging stronger and more determined in the face of challenges.”

Russell said he was “disappointed in Mrs. Johnson’s attacks against me, because my conversations with the Mayor are about my vision for District 4 and delivering real results to our community.”

“There is a difference between the ‘development industry’ and an ‘affordable housing provider,’” Russell said. “I’m proud to build affordable housing for the people who desperately need it and can not afford the $500,000 homes being built in our city. The Mayor, Mrs. Eiselt and Mr. Phipps understand this and support my expertise. I will deliver results, not just sound bites.”

Scott said Lyles’ endorsement is a sign of a “sour” relationship between the mayor and Johnson and noted the incumbent is a longtime member of the Black Political Caucus that endorsed her.

Scott touted her own work on Charlotte’s Tree Advisory Council as an example of her ability to find “common sense” solutions.

“My endorsements come from the community, and I plan on backing up the things I say,” she said. “... I don’t care about fitting in with the in-crowd in regards to local politics. I care about making a difference and making sure our community has a great future.”

Who’s raised the most money in District 4?

Johnson’s campaign raised $13,023 in August and had $8,977.03 left over to spend in the final days before the election, according to her campaign finance reports due Tuesday.

Scott brought in $7,225 in August, according to her latest report, and had $4,211 in cash on hand at its end. That included a $500 donation from herself.

Russell’s latest campaign finance report was not available Wednesday morning through the county or state boards of elections.

He brought in $5,479.29 in the period that ended in early August, with $5,140.29 on hand at its end. That included a $5,000 transfer from himself and a $250 donation from Eiselt.

District 4 residents also received a mailer supporting Russell that said it was paid for by “Neighbors Helping North Carolina.” That group was formerly known as the “NC Property Rights Fund,” according to records from the State Board of Elections, a group “under the umbrella of the North Carolina Association of REALTORS.”

How to vote in Charlotte City Council primary

Early in-person voting began in late August in Charlotte, with more polling places opening Tuesday. As of Wednesday morning, 1,912 voters have cast their ballots. More than 1,000 of those votes were cast Tuesday, according to the county Board of Elections, and the most popular voting site Tuesday was in University City, which is contained in District 4.

Primary election day is Sept. 12.

There aren’t enough Republicans running this year for a GOP primary, so people must be registered as a Democrat or unaffiliated to participate.

Same-day voter registration is available during early voting. Mecklenburg voters can cast a ballot at any location in the county during early voting. But they must vote at their precinct location on Election Day.