Terrie Donovan

Terrie Donovan

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Republican Party

Candidate, Mayor of Charlotte

Elections and appointments

Next election

November 4, 2025

Education

Bachelor's

Oglethorpe University

Personal

Religion

Christian

Profession

Real Estate Broker

Contact

Campaign website

Personal LinkedIn

Terrie Donovan (Republican Party) is running for election for Mayor of Charlotte in North Carolina. She is on the ballot in the general election on November 4, 2025. The Republican primary for this office on September 9, 2025, was canceled.

Donovan completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. Click here to read the survey answers.

Elections

2025

See also: Mayoral election in Charlotte, North Carolina (2025)

General election

General election for Mayor of Charlotte

Incumbent Vi Alexander Lyles, Terrie Donovan, and Rob Yates are running in the general election for Mayor of Charlotte on November 4, 2025.

		Candidate
		Vi Alexander Lyles (D)
	Submit photo	Terrie Donovan (R)
		Rob Yates (L)

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined.
= 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 Mayor of Charlotte

Incumbent Vi Alexander Lyles defeated Brendan K. Maginnis, Jaraun Boyd, Tigress Sydney Acute McDaniel, and Delter Guin in the Democratic primary for Mayor of Charlotte on September 9, 2025.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Vi Alexander Lyles	70.7	27,506
		Brendan K. Maginnis	12.2	4,740
		Jaraun Boyd	10.0	3,898
		Tigress Sydney Acute McDaniel	4.2	1,632
		Delter Guin	2.8	1,102

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. Source 1 Source 2	Total votes: 38,878
= 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. Terrie Donovan advanced from the Republican primary for Mayor of Charlotte.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Matthew Grasela (R)

Libertarian primary election

The Libertarian primary election was canceled. Rob Yates advanced from the Libertarian primary for Mayor of Charlotte.

Endorsements

Ballotpedia is gathering information about candidate endorsements. To send us an endorsement, click here.

Campaign themes

2025

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Terrie Donovan completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Donovan's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

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Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I’m Terrie Donovan, a business professional, veteran advocate, and community leader running for Mayor of Charlotte. With experience in business relations, real estate, and veteran affairs, I know how to connect people with real solutions that strengthen our city.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

• Everyone deserves to feel safe In their neighborhood and right now they do not.
• Responsible Growth, we must manage growth while protecting infrastructure and affordability.
• Charlotte needs honest, accountable leadership that listens.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I’m passionate about public safety, infrastructure investment, and common sense solutions…the foundation of a thriving city!

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

The list is long but at the top is my Mother. She was the most generous and giving person I’ve ever known!

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Integrity, accountability, and a commitment to listening to the community. Bringing the correct people to the table to collaborate and find real solutions!

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

To keep our city safe, ensure efficient city services and make decisions that balance both growth with the needs of families and businesses.

What legacy would you like to leave?

I would like to be remembered for making a positive impact on my city and to be known for a person who unites all people. I believe we all want the same things…to be happy, healthy and loved!

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

There were many but the day that I will never forget is 9/11. I was in my early thirties & I will never forget that day and how it changed our world!

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

Babysitting in my early teens & I worked Part Time at KFC when I turned 16. I remember being very excited that I could drive to work. I still kept babysitting when time allowed.

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

Grief, I lost my Father at a very young age & recently lost my Mother. With both parents gone, I miss them terribly but I firmly believe your friends become family!!

A mayor is a leader in his or her city. What does that mean to you?

Being Mayor means being a servant leader who listens first, sets a clear vision, and unites people around common goals. Leadership is not about politics or personal ambition, it’s about bringing accountability, balance and common sense solutions to the challenges our city faces.

If the mayor in your city is a member of the city council and there's a city manager appointed to handle the day-to-day administration of the city government, what do you believe should be the mayor's top priority in office?

The mayor should always keep the best interest of the citizens at the forefront of every decision. As Mayor, I will always advocate for what is best to move the city of Charlotte forward and to focus on unity not division!

If the mayor in your city is not a member of the city council and oversees the day-to-day administration of the city government, what do you believe is the ideal relationship between the mayor and city council?

The Mayor and city council should work as partners, not opponents. While the mayor provides leadership, we need to make sure ideas are data driven and take a common sense approach, the city council members bring community voices to the table. The ideal relationship is built on respect, collaboration, and a shared commitment to solutions over party partisanship.

What do you love most about your city?

I love Charlotte’s people- hardworking, diverse, and committed to building a better future! Charlotte is a city with small town values and big city opportunities. From vibrant neighborhoods to our business community, Charlotte has a spirit of resilience and innovation that makes it special.

What do you perceive to be your city's greatest challenges over the next decade?

Charlotte’s greatest challenges are rising crime, rapid growth without matching infrastructure, and the lack of affordable housing. Too many families are being priced out, our roads are congested, and public safety concerns are rising. We must address these challenges with common-sense solutions that protect neighborhoods, strengthen our economy, and ensure growth benefits everyone.

What do you believe is the ideal relationship between your city and the state government?

The ideal relationship is one of mutual respect and partnership. The city should work closely with the state to secure resources, coordinate infrastructure, and address public safety and economic development.

What do you believe is the ideal relationship between your city and the federal government?

The ideal relationship is a partnership where Charlotte has a strong voice in Washington and receives the resources it needs without unnecessary red tape. I believe it’s always beneficial to maintain a healthy working relationship.

What do you believe is the ideal relationship between the mayor's office and law enforcement?

The Mayor’s office and law enforcement should have a relationship built on trust, respect, and accountability. Law enforcement must know that city leadership has their back with the resources, to help them fulfill their staffing needs, and allow them to recruit and retain the best candidates.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

Veterans for America First

Candidates hear many personal stories from voters. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching or memorable?

I sat behind Logan Federico’s Father, Stephen Federico at a hearing on violent crime recently. I will never forget hearing his story. Logan should still be here today! We cannot have career criminals walking our streets!!

What is an accomplishment that you are proud of?

Completing a triathlon, it was a while ago but nonetheless I completed it!

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.

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Mayor of Charlotte

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