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Juan Diego Mazuera Arias
From Ballotpedia
Juan Diego Mazuera Arias (Democratic Party) (also known as J. D.) is running for election to the Charlotte City Council to represent District 5 in North Carolina. He is on the ballot in the Democratic primary on September 9, 2025.[source]
Mazuera Arias completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. Click here to read the survey answers.
Biography
Juan Diego Mazuera Arias earned a high school diploma from East Mecklenburg High School, a bachelor's degree from Queens University in 2020, and a degree from New York University in 2024. His career experience includes working in government relations. As of 2025, Mazuera Arias was affiliated with the Hispanic Democratic Caucus of Mecklenburg County, the North Carolina Latino Political Caucus, and the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute Alumni Association.[1]
Elections
2025
See also: City elections in Charlotte, North Carolina (2025)
General election
The primary will occur on September 9, 2025. The general election will occur on November 4, 2025. General election candidates will be added here following the primary.
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Charlotte City Council District 5
Incumbent Marjorie Molina and Juan Diego Mazuera Arias are running in the Democratic primary for Charlotte City Council District 5 on September 9, 2025.
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Endorsements
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Campaign themes
2025
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Juan Diego Mazuera Arias completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Mazuera Arias' responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
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I’m Juan Diego “JD” Mazuera Arias, a proud son of East Charlotte and candidate for City Council District 5. My family immigrated from Colombia, and I grew up in the Castlewood and Silver Oaks apartments, attending Idlewild Elementary, Randolph Middle, and East Mecklenburg High before studying at Central Piedmont and earning a full scholarship as a Golden Door Scholar to Queens University of Charlotte. I later earned my Master of Public Administration from NYU Wagner, where I received the Robert Berne Leadership Award.
For the past 10 years, I’ve worked in public service and politics — from organizing for immigrant rights as a formerly undocumented student, to serving in Congress with leaders like Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Rep. Alma Adams, to managing government relations at the White House and on Capitol Hill, and leading the Hispanic Democratic Caucus of Mecklenburg County as Chair.
I’m running because East Charlotte has been overlooked for too long. My top priorities are bringing transparency and communication to City Hall, investing in public safety through prevention and infrastructure, and building a local economy that creates jobs, uplifts our existing assets, and protects small businesses from displacement.- Transparency & Accountability: East Charlotte deserves a councilmember who listens, shows up, and keeps our community informed. I will bring transparency, open communication, and real accountability to City Council so neighbors are always part of the decision-making process.
- Safer, Stronger Neighborhoods: Public safety means more than just policing — it means investing in prevention, youth programs, mental health support, and the basic infrastructure our community needs like sidewalks, lighting, and safer intersections.
- A Local Economy That Belongs to Us: I will fight to bring good-paying jobs and real investment to District 5, uplift our existing community assets, and protect immigrant- and minority-owned small businesses through an anti-displacement fund, so our families and entrepreneurs can thrive right here in East Charlotte.
I’m passionate about public policy that puts people and community first. For me, that means three core areas: transparency and accountability, so residents of East Charlotte know their voices matter and their councilmember is accessible; public safety, with a focus on prevention, youth opportunities, mental health support, and safer streets and infrastructure; and economic development, by bringing good-paying jobs, uplifting the businesses and assets we already have, attracting equitable investment to our corridors, and protecting small businesses from displacement. I’m also deeply committed to ensuring Charlotte’s growth includes equitable housing so families can afford to live and thrive in the neighborhoods they love.
Charlotte City Council is unique because it is the level of government closest to the people — directly shaping the everyday quality of life through decisions on housing, public safety, transportation, zoning, and infrastructure. The Council also decides how local tax dollars are invested, making it a key driver of equitable growth in our neighborhoods.
In North Carolina, cities operate under a Dillon’s Rule framework, which means local governments only have the authority granted by the state legislature. That makes strong relationships with our state legislators in Raleigh essential to advancing Charlotte’s priorities, protecting our community’s interests, and ensuring we have the tools we need to govern effectively. This balance between being the most accessible level of government while also operating within the state’s legal framework makes the City Council a uniquely important part of both local democracy and the broader state system.
In North Carolina, cities operate under a Dillon’s Rule framework, which means local governments only have the authority granted by the state legislature. That makes strong relationships with our state legislators in Raleigh essential to advancing Charlotte’s priorities, protecting our community’s interests, and ensuring we have the tools we need to govern effectively. This balance between being the most accessible level of government while also operating within the state’s legal framework makes the City Council a uniquely important part of both local democracy and the broader state system.
I look up most to my abuelita and to Shirley Chisholm. My abuelita’s resilience and sacrifice taught me what it means to work hard, care for family, and never lose faith in the face of struggle — values that have grounded me since I was a child growing up in East Charlotte. I also draw inspiration from Shirley Chisholm, whose trailblazing leadership as the first Black woman elected to Congress and her fearless insistence on being “unbought and unbossed” showed what it looks like to fight for your community with courage and conviction. Their examples remind me that leadership is about service, integrity, and opening doors for others.
I believe the most important qualities for an elected official are integrity, transparency, and accessibility. Leaders must be honest with their constituents, make decisions openly, and communicate clearly about both opportunities and challenges. They must also listen first, working in true partnership with the people they represent rather than making decisions behind closed doors.
Equally important is equity and fairness — ensuring that every neighborhood and every family, regardless of income, background, or immigration status, has the opportunity to thrive. Finally, an effective official must be willing to roll up their sleeves and deliver results, focusing on solutions that improve everyday quality of life instead of political posturing.
Equally important is equity and fairness — ensuring that every neighborhood and every family, regardless of income, background, or immigration status, has the opportunity to thrive. Finally, an effective official must be willing to roll up their sleeves and deliver results, focusing on solutions that improve everyday quality of life instead of political posturing.
The core responsibilities of a City Council member are to serve as the direct voice of their community at City Hall and to ensure that residents are represented in every decision the city makes. That means listening to neighbors, bringing transparency to how policies and budgets are decided, and making sure city services and investments reach every part of the district equitably. Council members must also set priorities for housing, public safety, transportation, and economic development that improve quality of life, while holding city government accountable for results. Above all, the job is to build trust between residents and City Hall by showing up, communicating openly, and working alongside the community to shape a stronger future.
I want my legacy to be that East Charlotte finally had a seat at the table and a voice in City Council that truly listened. I hope to leave behind a District 5 where families can afford to live and thrive, small businesses are protected and growing, our streets are safe and connected, and City Council is more transparent, accessible, and accountable to the people it serves. Most of all, I want future generations — who grew up like I did — to know that their voices matter, their dreams are valid, and that they belong in every space where decisions are made.
The first historical event I remember from my lifetime is the aftermath of the September 11, 2001 attacks. I was only 2 years old when it happened, so I didn’t fully understand it at the time, but I grew up surrounded by the conversations and changes that followed. As I got older, I came to realize how profoundly 9/11 shaped our country — from national security to how immigrant communities like mine were seen — and it influenced my commitment to public service and to building a Charlotte where every family feels safe, included, and valued.
My very first job was working at a fast-food restaurant, Chick-fil-A, while I was in high school and during my first year at Central Piedmont Community College. I held that job for over a year, and it taught me the value of hard work, teamwork, and customer service — lessons I still carry with me today.
My favorite book is Harvest of Empire by Juan González. It traces the history of Latin America’s relationship with the United States and shows how immigration is deeply connected to U.S. foreign policy, economics, and culture. As a Colombian immigrant who grew up in East Charlotte, this book gave me language for my own family’s story and helped me understand that our presence here is not an accident but part of a larger history. It reminds me why representation matters and why I’m committed to ensuring immigrant and working families have a voice in shaping Charlotte’s future.
I would be Olivia Pope from Scandal. She represents resilience, strategy, and the ability to navigate complex political challenges while staying focused on justice and doing what’s right. As someone who has worked in government and politics for a decade, I admire her leadership under pressure and her determination to give a voice to people who often feel unheard.
One of the biggest struggles in my life was growing up as an undocumented immigrant in East Charlotte. From a young age I felt the uncertainty and barriers that come with not having legal status — whether it was worrying about opportunities for college, navigating everyday life, or seeing my family and neighbors face challenges that others didn’t have to think about. That experience shaped my determination to fight for immigrant rights, access to education, and equity in our community. What was once my greatest struggle became my motivation to serve others and ensure no one feels invisible in the city we all call home.
One of the lesser-known responsibilities of Charlotte City Council is how much influence it has over land use and zoning decisions. These choices — from approving rezonings to shaping the Unified Development Ordinance — directly determine what gets built in our neighborhoods, where affordable housing can go, and how our commercial corridors grow. Council also oversees how millions of local tax dollars are spent each year, from basic services like sidewalks, street lighting, and parks to larger investments in infrastructure and transit.
Because North Carolina is a Dillon’s Rule state, the Council must also work closely with legislators in Raleigh to secure the authority and resources our city needs. Many residents don’t realize that decisions about what happens on their street — whether a crosswalk, a new development, or a bus stop — are often shaped by how effectively their Council member advocates within this state-local framework.
Because North Carolina is a Dillon’s Rule state, the Council must also work closely with legislators in Raleigh to secure the authority and resources our city needs. Many residents don’t realize that decisions about what happens on their street — whether a crosswalk, a new development, or a bus stop — are often shaped by how effectively their Council member advocates within this state-local framework.
Yes. Having experience in government and politics is valuable because it means you understand how policy is made, how to navigate complex systems, and how to deliver results for your community from day one. With over 10 years of experience in public service — from organizing for immigrant rights as a young leader, to working with leaders like Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Congresswoman Alma Adams, to managing government relations at the White House and on Capitol Hill — I’ve learned how to write policy, build coalitions, and advocate effectively for resources.
At the same time, I believe lived experience is just as important. Growing up in East Charlotte as a son of immigrants, I know firsthand the challenges our families face. The best councilmembers combine professional policy experience with deep community roots — because that’s how we make government both effective and accountable to the people it serves.
At the same time, I believe lived experience is just as important. Growing up in East Charlotte as a son of immigrants, I know firsthand the challenges our families face. The best councilmembers combine professional policy experience with deep community roots — because that’s how we make government both effective and accountable to the people it serves.
The most helpful skills for a City Council member are transparency, community engagement, and coalition-building. Councilmembers must know how to listen, communicate openly, and bring residents into the decision-making process. A strong grasp of municipal policy — from budgeting and land use to housing, public safety, and transportation — is essential to deliver results. Just as important is the ability to work with businesses and developers in a way that puts neighbors first, ensuring that new investment matches the needs and priorities of the community rather than the other way around. Effective councilmembers use these skills to build trust, protect small businesses from displacement, and guide growth that uplifts all of East Charlotte.
Charlotte City Council is unique because it is the level of government closest to the people. Councilmembers directly shape the daily lives of residents through decisions on housing, zoning, public safety, transportation, and infrastructure, while also deciding how local tax dollars are invested across neighborhoods. In a Dillon’s Rule state like North Carolina, local authority is limited to what the legislature grants, which makes it essential for Council to work closely with state leaders in Raleigh to secure the tools and resources Charlotte needs. This combination — being the most accessible, neighborhood-focused level of government while also navigating a state-local balance of power — makes City Council a critical institution for ensuring that community voices are heard and that development and investment reflect the priorities of residents.
State Representatives Jordan Lopez & Julia Greenfield; SEIU 32BJ; NC AFL-CIO Labor Council; LGBTQ+ Meck Dems; the Charlotte Observer
One story that has stayed with me is from airport workers here in Charlotte, many of them union members and East Charlotte residents, who told me that some of their coworkers are forced to sleep under bridges because they can’t afford housing. These are the same people who keep our airport — one of the busiest in the country — running every single day, yet they’re struggling to survive. Working alongside these unions and workers has shown me how urgently we need to fight for fair wages, stronger labor protections, affordable housing, and an anti-displacement fund, so that no one working full-time in our city is pushed into homelessness. Their resilience inspires me to keep building a Charlotte where every worker has dignity and stability.
One accomplishment I am most proud of is my work helping to pass the IGNITE HBCU Excellence Act in 2023, the most comprehensive federal investment in Historically Black Colleges and Universities in our nation’s history. As someone who began my own education at Central Piedmont Community College and later earned a full scholarship to Queens University of Charlotte as a Golden Door Scholar, I know how transformative access to education can be. Working alongside leaders like Congresswoman Alma Adams and Dr. Denise Smith to strengthen HBCUs — including our own Johnson C. Smith University here in Charlotte — was deeply meaningful. It showed me the power of policy to create opportunity, and it reinforced my commitment to fight for equitable investment in education, housing, and jobs right here in East Charlotte.
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See also
2025 Elections
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on August 27, 2025
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