News Summary
Tariq Bokhari has resigned from his position on the Charlotte City Council to join the Trump administration as a deputy administrator at the Federal Transit Administration. The council is now focused on quickly finding a temporary Republican replacement from District 6 until November’s elections. Leading candidates include Krista Bokhari, Tariq’s wife, and former council member Kenny Smith. A pledge is being considered to prevent the appointee from running in the upcoming elections, although legal issues surround its enforceability.
Charlotte, NC – Tariq Bokhari has vacated his seat on the Charlotte City Council to take a role in the Trump administration as the deputy administrator of the Federal Transit Administration (FTA). The Charlotte City Council is now working to expedite the selection of a temporary replacement, which is expected to be completed by early June.
The individual selected to fill Bokhari’s position must be a Republican from District 6 and will serve only until the upcoming November election. This temporary role will be crucial as the council navigates various transit-related projects during Bokhari’s absence.
Krista Bokhari, Tariq’s wife, is among the leading candidates for the temporary council seat. She previously ran for House District 104 in the 2024 elections, where she lost to Democratic incumbent Representative Brandon Lofton but garnered significant support compared to other Republican candidates in the district.
During a recent town hall meeting, Tariq Bokhari affirmed his support for Krista’s potential candidacy, indicating a family connection to the political landscape in District 6. Other individuals with notable influence in the local Republican party, such as Matthew Ridenhour, a former Mecklenburg County Commissioner, suggest candidates with council and local government experience could be more favorable for the temporary position.
In addition to Krista Bokhari, another potential candidate is Kenny Smith, a former representative of District 6. However, it is unclear whether he is interested in the role at this time. Some council members have voiced the opinion that the temporary replacement should not run in the November elections, as this could create an unfair advantage during the campaign period.
The council has considered implementing a pledge stating that the appointed individual would not run for the position in the upcoming election. However, legal enforceability of such a pledge remains in question, which complicates the council’s decision-making process regarding the selection of the temporary replacement.
The application period for Republicans in District 6 is set to commence on April 30 and will last for two weeks, concluding around mid-May. Following this application period, a public forum for qualified candidates will take place from May 13-19, 2025. The council plans to swear in the new council member on June 2, 2025.
Tariq Bokhari’s new role at the FTA amplifies his ability to impact major transit projects in Charlotte, particularly the ongoing construction of the Red Line. Current discussions around transit projects also include Senate Bill 145, proposed by Senator Vickie Sawyer, which seeks to evaluate a proposed one-cent tax hike designed to finance these initiatives, including the Red Line.
However, the tax plan would require approval from state lawmakers before reaching a vote from the public. This proposal has faced opposition, mainly from residents in Matthews and eastern Charlotte, who have raised concerns about the exclusion from the Silver Line project. House Speaker Destin Hall has acknowledged the concerns expressed by local representatives, emphasizing the need for their perspectives to be considered in legislative discussions.
The council’s ongoing efforts to appoint a temporary replacement for Bokhari are crucial as Charlotte grapples with significant transit plans that will require strong leadership and effective decision-making in the weeks to come.
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Additional Resources
- WCNC: Charlotte City Council Seat is Still Open
- Wikipedia: Charlotte City Council
- QC News: Charlotte City Council Search for Vacant District 6 Seat
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Charlotte, North Carolina
- WCCB Charlotte: Local Animal Advocates Ask for Help with Animal Care
- Google News: Charlotte City Council
