Charlene Henderson El
Charlene Henderson El (Democratic Party) ran for election to the Charlotte City Council to represent District 1 in North Carolina. She lost in the Democratic primary on September 9, 2025.
Biography
Charlene Henderson El was born in Charlotte, North Carolina. She graduated from Carolina Beauty College in 1995. Her career experience includes working as a radio personality and as a business owner. She is a member of the Black Political Caucus.[1][2]
Elections
2025
See also: City elections in Charlotte, North Carolina (2025)
General election
The candidate list in this election may not be complete.
General election for Charlotte City Council District 1
Incumbent Dante Anderson is running in the general election for Charlotte City Council District 1 on November 4, 2025.
Candidate | ||
| Dante Anderson (D) | ||
| ||||
 = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Charlotte City Council District 1
Incumbent Dante Anderson defeated Charlene Henderson El in the Democratic primary for Charlotte City Council District 1 on September 9, 2025.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Dante Anderson | 68.6 | 4,720 | |
 | Charlene Henderson El | 31.4 | 2,156 | |
| Total votes: 6,876 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Endorsements
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2023
See also: City elections in Charlotte, North Carolina (2023)
General election
General election for Charlotte City Council At-large (4 seats)
Incumbent Victoria Watlington, incumbent Dimple Ajmera, incumbent James Mitchell, and incumbent LaWana Slack-Mayfield defeated Steven DiFiore II in the general election for Charlotte City Council At-large on November 7, 2023.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Victoria Watlington (D) | 23.2 | 65,869 |
| ✔ |  | Dimple Ajmera (D) | 23.1 | 65,625 |
| ✔ |  | James Mitchell (D) | 22.2 | 63,053 |
| ✔ | LaWana Slack-Mayfield (D) | 21.6 | 61,270 | |
 | Steven DiFiore II (L) | 8.2 | 23,312 | |
| Other/Write-in votes | 1.6 | 4,489 | ||
| Total votes: 283,618 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Charlotte City Council At-large (4 seats)
The following candidates ran in the Democratic primary for Charlotte City Council At-large on September 12, 2023.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Dimple Ajmera | 21.7 | 19,164 |
| ✔ | LaWana Slack-Mayfield | 19.9 | 17,579 | |
| ✔ | | James Mitchell | 18.8 | 16,669 |
| ✔ | | Victoria Watlington | 17.9 | 15,818 |
| Charlene Henderson El | 12.9 | 11,447 | |
 | Ben Copeland | 8.8 | 7,820 | |
| Total votes: 88,497 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Libertarian primary election
The Libertarian primary election was canceled. Steven DiFiore II advanced from the Libertarian primary for Charlotte City Council At-large.
Endorsements
Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Henderson El in this election.
2022
See also: City elections in Charlotte, North Carolina (2022)
General election
General election for Charlotte City Council District 1
Dante Anderson won election in the general election for Charlotte City Council District 1 on July 26, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Dante Anderson (D) | 95.0 | 9,164 | |
| Other/Write-in votes | 5.0 | 480 | ||
| Total votes: 9,644 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Charlotte City Council District 1
Dante Anderson defeated Charlene Henderson El and Billy D. Maddalon in the Democratic primary for Charlotte City Council District 1 on May 17, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Dante Anderson | 41.8 | 4,096 | |
| Charlene Henderson El | 30.5 | 2,981 | |
 | Billy D. Maddalon | 27.7 | 2,711 | |
| Total votes: 9,788 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
2019
See also: City elections in Charlotte, North Carolina (2019)
General election
General election for Charlotte City Council District 4
Renee Perkins Johnson defeated Brandon Pierce in the general election for Charlotte City Council District 4 on November 5, 2019.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Renee Perkins Johnson (D) | 80.2 | 9,057 |
 | Brandon Pierce (R) | 19.6 | 2,209 | |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.2 | 26 | ||
| Total votes: 11,292 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Charlotte City Council District 4
The following candidates ran in the Democratic primary for Charlotte City Council District 4 on September 10, 2019.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Renee Perkins Johnson | 36.6 | 2,915 |
| Charlene Henderson El | 21.8 | 1,735 | |
 | Richmond Baker | 14.0 | 1,119 | |
 | Charles Robinson | 11.7 | 934 | |
 | Sean Thompson | 9.2 | 736 | |
 | Gabriel Cartagena | 6.7 | 535 | |
| Total votes: 7,974 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Republican primary election
The Republican primary election was canceled. Brandon Pierce advanced from the Republican primary for Charlotte City Council District 4.
Campaign themes
2025
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Charlene Henderson El did not complete Ballotpedia's 2025 Candidate Connection survey.
2023
Charlene Henderson El completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2023. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Henderson El's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
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For over 2 decade Charlene has organized and produced events such as Gospel concerts, forums, school supply drives, along with hair and fashion shows to raise money for individuals and communities in need. She currently sits on the Board as Vice President of SAVE, Safeguard, Atone, Validate, Educate. A simple mission to help children to be job-ready, instead of jail ready! She is the Chair of Precinct #82 of Democratic Party for Mecklenburg County She is a graduate of the Civic Leadership Academy of Charlotte, NC She currently sits on the Community Relations Committee for the City of Charlotte
- My candidacy is NOT just wanting to be on council, nor political aspirations and career goals. I stand with you on genuine concerns. I am a born and raised citizen first with the desire to help make our lives better. I stand before you because I am you. I am running for just one seat on the Charlotte City Council at Large for three reasons: Accountability, Transparency, and Ethics.
- That is what my campaign is about. But let me tell you why I am a candidate for a seat on the council. As most of you know, I am a native of this great city. I have been in Charlotte for all of my 55 years of living. For 25 of those 55 years, I have been a proud small business owner, community activist, and volunteer mentor.
- My activism took me to some of Charlotte’s poorest neighborhoods. I joined with pastors and police officers to deal with communities that had been devastated with crime due to the lack of jobs. Living in the Historic Hidden Valley, I saw that the crime, and violence surrounding us is deeply rooted in poverty; the same poverty that unemployment in Derita and Tanglewood could be linked to. It was in these neighborhoods that I received the best education I ever had, and where I learned the true meaning of service.
Some programs need to replaced. We need to reallocate funding to areas that is much more in need than others. Even though there is a pay increase for workers, we also have to see how to balance organizations that are helping to curve the crime on the streets.
consistently provide additional resources to unstable neighborhoods, seniors and children. All of the above is just a few ways to take different approaches.
2. True Affordable Housing
3. Public Safety
As a woman, who has experienced tremendous pain (emotionally, physically, sexually, mentally, verbally, etc...) and having carried within me the remembrances of every single infliction that was placed on me, I had a newfound appreciation for what I’ve been through and hope for the future of my life.
Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.
Note: Community Questions were submitted by the public and chosen for inclusion by a volunteer advisory board. The chosen questions were modified by staff to adhere to Ballotpedia’s neutrality standards. To learn more about Ballotpedia’s Candidate Connection Expansion Project, click here.
2022
Charlene Henderson El did not complete Ballotpedia's 2022 Candidate Connection survey.
2019
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Charlene Henderson El completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2019. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Henderson El's responses.
What would be your top three priorities, if elected?
Violent crimes, Unequal Access to Resources, Unaffordable Housing
What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?
Economic Development, Social Justice, and Public Safet
Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?
The Obama Family, My why is simple. The integrity, poise and the compassion that was shown to our country, represented us all with dignity and respect.
Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?
Freedom Riders
What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?
Compassion, Commitment, Integrity and the ability to do whats is right.
What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?
I want to be able to fully fulfill my humanitarian obligation in a manner that promotes the over all good of the city and communities we live.
What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?
Public service is a public trust, requiring I place loyalty to the Constitution, the laws, and ethical principles above private gain. I want to make sure the communities we live are protected from abuse and mistrust.
What legacy would you like to leave?
In knowing that I gave it my all to make sure we have a representative who truly care about the welfare of all.
What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?
The assassination of Martin Luther King. I remember when I was old enough and I was just born.
What was your very first job? How long did you have it?
Working at McDonalds and Wendys. A couple years before moving on.
What happened on your most awkward date?
Not interested in the date itself.
What is your favorite holiday? Why?
Mothers Day. I am one and love my 2 children to life.
What is your favorite book? Why?
Woman Thou Art Loosed- TD Jakes
If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?
Cookie Lyons
What is your favorite thing in your home or apartment? Why?
Computer
What was the last song that got stuck in your head?
Praise is what I do
What is something that has been a struggle in your life?
Having a lot of patience
Are there any little-known powers or responsibilities held by this office that you believe more people should be aware of?
Accountability and Trust
What kind of skills or expertise do you believe would be the most helpful for the holders of this office to possess?
Communication, ability and willingness to learn, Critical thinking and problem solving, collaboration and team work.
What qualities does this office possess that makes it a unique and important part of the local government?
I respectfully aspire to serve and to know that I have a unique opportunity to make decisions that can affect someone else life and their pursuit to happiness and equality life.
Do you believe that it’s beneficial for holders of this office to have previous experience in government or politics?
Its beneficial, however the requirement is not always necessary.
Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.
Campaign website
Henderson El's campaign website stated the following:
| “ | For over 10 years, Charlene Henderson and her organization has been a staple in the Charlotte community. She has dedicated her life to service with an special emphasis on Charlotte's youth. Throughout her career she has partnered with various city officials and organizations to establish programs and support for those who need it the most.
|
” |
| —Charlene Henderson El's campaign website (2019)[4] | ||
See also
2025 Elections
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Charlene Henderson, "Meet Charlene," accessed August 29, 2019
- ↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on August 21, 2023
- ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ Charlene Henderson El’s campaign website, “Meet Charlene,” accessed August 29, 2019
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