CHARLOTTE, NC — Democrats will control the mayor’s office in nine of North Carolina’s ten largest cities heading into 2026, following a strong showing in Tuesday’s off-year municipal elections. Five Democrats secured mayoral victories, while one Republican won, and four major cities did not hold elections this cycle.
In Charlotte, Mayor Vi Lyles won a fourth term with 70.4% of the vote over Republican Terrie Donovan, as Democrats swept all ten City Council races. Greensboro’s Marikay Abuzuaiter, a registered Democrat, defeated Republican Robbie Perkins by a wide margin, while in Durham, Leo Williams prevailed over Anjanee Bell in a race between two Democrats. Fayetteville re-elected Mitch Colvin, another Democrat, and Wilmington’s Bill Saffo also retained his seat, defeating Republican-backed challenger Billy Craig.
The only Republican mayoral victory came in Concord, where Steve Morris won a three-way race with 36.2% of the vote.
The results underscore Democrats’ dominance in North Carolina’s urban centers, a trend that has deepened over the past decade even as Republicans continue to control statewide offices and rural counties. Final results will be certified next week by county elections boards.
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