Meet Edwin Peacock

Man in suit sitting at office desk.

A Charlotte Native Proud to Serve

I’m Edwin Peacock, a lifelong Charlottean dedicated to public service and my community. As part of Peacock for City Council 2025, I aim to represent all voices in Charlotte.

Leadership, Service, and
Community Commitment

What name do you go by?

Edwin. My father goes by Ed. My son, Edwin IV, goes by our middle name which is Bruton.

Wasn’t your father in politics?

Yes.  My father served in public office from 1974-1981 on the Mecklenburg County Board of County Commissioners.  He was the Chairman of the Board from 1978-1980.  He then served on City Council from 1981-83. 

He was the 1983 Republican Nominee for Mayor.  He fell short of victory to Harvey Gantt by 4033 votes.     

He’s enjoying his retirement and splits his time between his homes in Charlotte and Wilmington. 

Are you in office now?

Yes. On May 20, 2025, I was appointed by Mayor & City Council to fill a District 6 board vacancy.

Are you running for office again?

On July 17, 2025, I filed to be one of the four board seats for Charlotte City Council At-Large position. I was previously elected to this position from 2007-2011.

What are the issues in this upcoming election?

  • Public Safety & Crime
  • Transportation, Mobility, & Roads
  • Leadership
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Tell me more about your plans to address crime & public safety?

  • CMPD reports crime is down, but I’ve been around long enough to know that these statistics are paper thin.
  • High-profile cases like the 2020 murders of four West Charotte residents: Kelly Miller, Christopher Gleaton, Jamaa Cassell, and Dairyon Stevenson.  This shooting broke out at a block party along Beatties Ford Road. These murders remain unsolved. No one has been charged in connection with these murders.   This has had a chilling & lingering effect on our community that is being felt to this day.
  • Other recent incidents this summer are deeply concerning:
    • Shootings outside uptown clubs and bars
    • A veteran beaten by 4 assailants on a CATS bus near Carolina Place Mall
    • A light rail rider stabbed to death at South End / East Blvd.
  • Repeated incidents like these erode public trust and sense of safety.
  • With Chief Jennings retiring in January 2026, City Council must set clear objectives for our next police chief.
  • My priorities:
    • Strong support for CMPD officers & their families.
    • High standards for excellence and accountability.
    • Revisiting and strengthening our crime-fighting plans.
    • Building a comprehensive, community-focused crime plan.
  • I believe crime prevention & enforcement must also involve the following:
    • Community and faith leaders.
    • The District Attorney and Sheriff’s Offices.
    • Mental health professionals from both public and private sectors.
    • Stronger focuses on addiction treatment, particularly with our chronically homeless residents.

Tell me your feelings about transportation, mobility, and the 1 cent sales tax referendum on the ballot?

Since 2007, I’ve supported using sales tax revenue to expand roads, buses, and transit in our fast-growing region.

I’ve backed light rail expansion but opposed the streetcar for these reasons:

  • Not a regional priority (per MTC)
  • Broke promises by pulling from the general fund
  • Lengthy, disruptive construction.
  • Too slow — outpaced by Uber, Lyft, scooters, and bikes

For now, I support operating existing streetcar lines, but future mobility (self-driving cars, bus rapid transit, even drone taxis) may require removing them.

I support the 1 cent sales tax referendum because it:

  • I’d rather have our region decide how we invest our transit dollars than rely on a “hope and pray” approach with NCDOT to fairly fund our state’s largest and fastest-growing region.
  • Strikes the right balance: 40% roads, 40% rail, and 20% being allocated to emerging transit options.
  • Creates a new governance structure that assures a true regional balance between Charlotte and the six towns.

What do you mean that ‘leadership’ is an issue in this race?

I believe in John Maxwell’s definition of leadership: “Leadership is influence, nothing more, nothing less.”

In this at-large race, voters will choose 4 leaders out of 6 candidates to serve alongside 7 district leader/ representatives and the Mayor.

I bring three levels of influence to this position:

  • Qualified – I previously served on this board for four years, participating on the Public Safety and Budget Committees and chairing the Environmental Committee.
  • Broad Experience – I’m a small business owner with 25 years in the insurance and financial services industry.  I’ve also served on multiple community & state based non-profits supporting veterans, education, and the arts, giving me real world perspectives both on and off the dais.
  • Team-Oriented – I understand decisions on the City Council are made collectively, not individually. Our choices carry long-term implications; with investments in public safety, light rail and bus expansion, housing, & neighborhoods. 

Voters are selecting leaders with responsibility, critical thinking, and the influence to collaborate and solve problems. I believe I am one of those leaders who is worthy of their trust and support.

Dedication to Practical Leadership

Through Peacock for City Council 2025, I’m committed to practical leadership and bringing unity to Charlotte. Volunteer and get involved with the campaign.

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