Juan Diego “JD” Mazuera Arias

Juan Diego “JD” Mazuera Arias is a proud son of East Charlotte, an organizer, public policy advocate, and nonprofit leader running to represent District 5 on the Charlotte City Council. A formerly undocumented, gay Latino immigrant, JD has spent the last decade working at the intersection of politics, public service, and community building – serving as a Legislative Fellow on Capitol Hill, a Public Policy Fellow at the Aspen Institute, and a Government Affairs specialist at The Century Foundation, where he advocated for reproductive freedom, immigrant rights, and racial and economic justice. A product of Charlotte- Mecklenburg public schools and a graduate of East Meck High, JD returned home to build a city where every neighborhood is seen, every voice is valued, and every resident – regardless of background – can thrive. He believes East Charlotte deserves bold, accountable leadership that delivers on affordable housing, safe communities, accessible transit, and a city government that works for all of us.