Mayor Vi Lyles leads Charlotte into new year during pivotal time

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The city of Charlotte is beginning the year with new leadership.

Vi Lyles won the mayoral race in November, becoming the first black woman ever elected to the position.

Lyles has dedicated her life to the city, and as Charlotte's new mayor, she now has a chance to lead the city through a pivotal time.

“We can make Charlotte the wonderful place we all want it to be -- for your children, your grandchildren, for each of you,” Lyles said.

[PAST COVERAGE: Charlotte Mayor-elect Vi Lyles maps out priorities for her term]

With the backing of the Black Political Caucus, Lyles rocketed to victory in a competitive Democratic primary.

Lyles defeated Mayor Jennifer Roberts and instantly became the front-runner for Charlotte's mayoral seat.

“It's not just surreal, it's humbling,” Lyles said.

Even as a Democrat in Charlotte, Lyles’ victory in November was anything but easy.

Her opponent, Republican Kenny Smith, out-raised and outspent her.

But Lyles’ dominant ground game led to a surge of Democratic early voters. She capped that off with a 22,000-vote victory.

[Click here: Election results]

“Thank you for helping make history,” Lyles said.

With the victory, Lyles became Charlotte's first black female mayor. She now oversees a young and eager City Council with a fresh take on issues.

In 2018, Charlotte City Council will have to address the rise in violent crime, an affordable housing shortage and a dead-last ranking in economic mobility.

In her first 100 days, Mayor Lyles wants to make sure anything the city does will help earn trust between her and the communities she's serving.

“My personal commitment is we look at every action through the lens of, ‘Does it build trust in our community and does it increase confidence in the work we are doing?’” Lyles said.

From the Keith Scott riots and HB2, Lyles will oversee a city that continues to find itself in the nation's spotlight.

But as we saw with those controversies, it's the unpredictable that will likely be Lyles’ biggest test.

Cox Media Group