Will Holley

This page was current at the end of the individual's last campaign covered by Ballotpedia. Please contact us with any updates.

Will Holley

Democratic Party

Elections and appointments

Last election

September 9, 2025

Education

Other

ITT Technical Institute, 2001

Personal

Religion

Christian

Profession

Contractor

Contact

Campaign website

Campaign Facebook

Personal LinkedIn

Will Holley (Democratic Party) ran for election for an at-large seat of the Charlotte City Council in North Carolina. He lost in the Democratic primary on September 9, 2025.

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

Biography

Will Holley earned a degree from ITT Technical Institute in 2001. His career experience includes working as a contractor.

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 At-large (4 seats)

The following candidates are running in the general election for Charlotte City Council At-large on November 4, 2025.

		Candidate
		Dimple Ajmera (D)
		James Mitchell (D)
	Submit photo	LaWana Slack-Mayfield (D)
		Victoria Watlington (D)
		Misun Kim (R)
		Edwin Peacock (R)

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined.
= candidate completed 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 9, 2025.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Dimple Ajmera	20.8	30,346
✔	Submit photo	LaWana Slack-Mayfield	17.5	25,531
✔		James Mitchell	16.1	23,550
✔		Victoria Watlington	15.6	22,778
	Submit photo	Namrata Yadav	8.9	13,064
		Matt Britt	5.9	8,676
		Roderick Davis	5.0	7,354
		Will Holley	4.6	6,699
	Submit photo	J.G. Lockhart	3.9	5,699
	Submit photo	Emerson Stoldt	1.6	2,311

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. Source 1 Source 2	Total votes: 146,008
= 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. Misun Kim and Edwin Peacock advanced from the Republican primary for Charlotte City Council At-large.

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

Will Holley completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Holley'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 am a father, small business owner, and lifelong community leader running for Charlotte City Council At-Large to bring a voice to the people who feel unseen and unheard. I grew up in deep poverty, learning resilience, resourcefulness, and the power of community. I built a successful construction company and founded Ruby Boys, a nonprofit supporting youth and returning citizens. I’ve served as PTA president and on the Mecklenburg County Community Relations Committee. My leadership has always been rooted in action, not politics. I’m running to bridge the gap between City Hall and everyday Charlotte families.

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?

• I will prioritize public safety with tougher laws, especially for repeat offenders. No one should commit a crime at 9:30 AM and be home by 5:30 PM to watch themselves on the news. I’ll push for stronger accountability, while also recruiting more officers and ensuring they have the pay, resources, and mental health support needed to keep Charlotte safe.
• I am committed to affordable housing, fair development, and small business growth. I know firsthand how hard it is to navigate city systems, and I’ll fight for policies that uplift working families and create opportunities for all.
• I’m for the people, of the people, and with the people. I am a leader who listens, shows up, and takes action. I’m not a career politician; I’m a father, neighbor, and small business owner committed to building a city where every voice matters.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I am passionate about public safety, affordable housing, and community investment. As a business owner and nonprofit founder, I understand both sides of city challenges, economic growth and community needs. I’ll work to ensure every Charlotte resident feels seen and represented, with access to safe neighborhoods, affordable homes, and opportunities to thrive.

What qualities does this office possess that makes it a unique and important part of the state government and legal system?

City Council is a vital link between state-level policy and the day-to-day lives of residents. While the state sets laws, City Council creates local ordinances, budgets, and programs that directly impact housing, safety, infrastructure, and economic development. At-large members bring a citywide perspective and ensure decisions benefit all districts, making the role uniquely positioned to shape Charlotte’s future.

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

Integrity, accessibility, and accountability are the foundation of public service. Elected officials must be honest, transparent, and deeply connected to the people they represent. They should be willing to listen, show up consistently, and make decisions that serve all residents, not just a select few. Leadership is about building trust and working for solutions that create meaningful change.

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

The core responsibilities of a Charlotte City Council At-Large member are to represent the entire city, create policies that address community needs, and ensure equitable investment across all neighborhoods. Council members must be a bridge between residents and local government, advocate for public safety and quality of life, support economic growth, and make sure Charlotte is a city where every resident has a voice.

What legacy would you like to leave?

I want my legacy to be that I was a man of the people. I was someone who showed up, who listened, and who fought for everyday folks. I want to leave behind a stronger, safer Charlotte, with opportunities for our kids, affordable homes, and real support for families. And in a world where people say anything, I want people to know I was the one who did what I said I would do. I showed up consistently, led with integrity, and led by example. I want to be remembered as a man of my word who left Charlotte better than he found it.”

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

I grew up poor, and like a lot of families, we had to fight just to get by. I know what it feels like to be overlooked by the people and systems that are supposed to help. That struggle taught me resilience, hard work, and the importance of community, neighbors stepping up for each other when no one else would. It’s also why I’m running for City Council: because I know what it feels like to be unheard, and I want to make sure every person in Charlotte feels seen, supported, and valued

Are there any little-known powers or responsibilities held by this office that you believe more people should be aware of?

Many residents don’t realize City Council controls the city’s budget allocation, influencing funding for schools, roads, affordable housing, and public safety. Council also appoints key boards and commissions, impacting transportation, planning, and zoning. These responsibilities make City Council one of the most directly influential bodies in shaping Charlotte’s growth and ensuring equity.

Do you believe that it's beneficial for holders of this office to have previous experience in government or politics?

While experience can be helpful, it’s not a requirement for strong leadership. Fresh voices and diverse perspectives are critical for solving problems differently. My own background as a business owner, nonprofit founder, and community leader has given me skills in budgeting, decision-making, and connecting with people, all essential for public service. Experience in serving the community matters just as much as time in politics

What kind of skills or expertise do you believe would be the most helpful for the holders of this office to possess?

I think this job takes more than titles and politics. It takes common sense, heart, and action. You’ve got to be problem-solving and solution-oriented, ready to roll up your sleeves and get things done. It’s about listening to people, being transparent, and also looking at the numbers, what the data says, what’s worked in other cities like ours and bringing those best ideas here to Charlotte. At the end of the day, this is about serving people and delivering results, not just talking about them.”

What qualities does this office possess that makes it a unique and important part of the local government?

This office is unique because At-Large members represent the entire city, not just a single district. It’s a role that requires balancing local priorities with a vision for Charlotte’s growth as a whole. By serving all communities equally, At-Large members ensure that no neighborhood is left behind and that every resident has a seat at the table.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

Democratic Men of Mecklenburg County

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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Charlotte City Council At-large

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