Durham’s top political groups back mayor, split on City Council candidates

With less than a month until the municipal primary, Durham’s most influential political action committees have released their endorsements for the four open City Council seats.

The Durham Committee on the Affairs of Black People PAC and the People’s Alliance PAC both endorsed incumbent Mayor Leo Williams for re-election but split on some of their choices for the other open seats.

There are 18 candidates on the ballot for mayor and three ward council seats. All four incumbents — Williams and council members Chelsea Cook, DeDreana Freeman and Mark-Anthony Middleton — face multiple challengers.

For 90 years, the Durham Committee has advocated for the city’s Black residents, focusing on housing, health and education. Its PAC has a history of endorsing progressive candidates while also promoting voter education, mobilization and registration.

The Durham People’s Alliance, a grassroots organization for over four decades, uses advocacy and community partnerships to advance its goals. Its PAC endorses candidates who support the alliance’s agenda on education, children and families, and democratic engagement.

The primary election is on Oct. 7, and the municipal election is set for Nov. 4.

The People’s Alliance PAC Endorsements

On Aug. 12, the People’s Alliance PAC held a virtual meeting with over 230 members to finalize its endorsements.

The process included sending questionnaires to all of the candidates and conducting interviews. The People’s Alliance also held a public candidate mixer.

“At the meeting, PAC committees who have studied the candidates make recommendations, but ultimately the endorsement is decided by a vote of the members after rigorous debate,” coordinator Rochelle Sparko wrote in a news release..

Their endorsements are

• Mayor: Leo Williams — The incumbent mayor, first elected in 2023, has “made good use of his time on City Council” and has been working toward change in the city.
• Ward 1: Matt Kopac — A member of the city’s Planning Commission, he received the endorsement over incumbent DeDreana Freeman and four other challengers. PAC members believe he is an active listener with experience in environmental advocacy and local government.
• Ward 2: Shanetta Burris — The grassroots organizer is the ideal candidate to represent the interests of Ward 2 residents and the PAC’s values with a strong advocacy approach, the PAC said.
• Ward 3: Chelsea Cook — An organizer, legal aid lawyer, and recent appointee to the City Council, Cook was endorsed for her years of service to the city and her work on housing and fighting evictions.

The PAC endorsed Freeman in 2017 during her first run for the Ward 1 seat, but not when she ran for re-election in 2021, according to INDY Week. Middleton, in Ward 2, received the PAC’s endorsement in 2021 when he ran for re-election.

The Durham Committee PAC Endorsements

The Durham Committee PAC announced its endorsements on Sept. 7 after two days of deliberation among the members of the PAC and the general body of the Durham Committee, comprised of over 300 people.

Each candidate was sent a questionnaire before the endorsement meetings, followed by a round of interviews.

A subcommittee takes the interviews and candidate questionnaires and recommends endorsements to the Durham Committee PAC. The PAC members, made up of about 62 people who have attended at least 25% of meetings in an election year, then propose their endorsements to the general body, followed by votes.

“There was a very robust discussion,” said Durham Committee Chairman Floyd McKissick. “But this was the slate that was agreed upon, and I think it’s an excellent slate made up of diverse opinions and people.”

The PAC said in a release that endorsed candidates demonstrated leadership and responsiveness to Black residents, had clear plans to address systemic challenges like the housing crisis, and showed a track record of inclusive governance.

Their endorsements are

• Mayor: Leo Williams — The incumbent mayor, the PAC said, advocates for his agenda with a focus on public safety, housing and homelessness, and economic opportunity.
• Ward 1: DeDreana Freeman — The incumbent councilwoman is a strong advocate for an “equitable Durham” and prioritizes public safety and economic and racial justice, the PAC said..
• Ward 2: Mark-Anthony Middleton — The incumbent is a “relentless advocate” for gun-violence solutions, economic stability, and affordable housing in Durham, the PAC said.
• Ward 3: Diana Medoff — The third-grade teacher at Duke School is an informed newcomer who prioritizes housing, jobs and safety, the PAC said.

Other notable endorsements - The Friends of Durham

The Friends of Durham, a 35-year-old PAC, also released its endorsements this month. The nonpartisan group consists of local business owners, professionals and residents who make up about a third of the city’s voters, it says.

In a news release, the Friends said that the biggest issues facing Durham are housing and taxes. This year, homeowners in Durham County saw an average property tax increase of 70% due to new revaluations.

“Our continuing shortage of housing is the primary cause of the ever-increasing cost of housing,” the release said. “And yet there are current Council members who fail, or refuse, to acknowledge that.”

The endorsements were based on 30-minute interviews with each candidate by the group’s Steering Committee, made up of about 25 people. The Friends noted that 14 of the 18 candidates on the ballot responded to interview requests.

Their endorsements are

• Mayor: Leo Williams — The incumbent has bold ideas for downtown Durham, the PAC said, praising his first term as mayor.
• Ward 1: Matt Kopac — He has been impressive on the city’s Planning Commission and the Environmental Affairs Board, as well as in his work with large private companies, the PAC said.
• Ward 2: Mark-Anthony Middleton — The incumbent, with an eight-year tenure on the City Council, has argued for the betterment of Durham and has been an advocate for more types of housing, the PAC said.
• Ward 3: Diana Medoff — She shows a promise of leadership in Ward 3 that aligns with Williams’ vision for the city, the PAC said.

This story was originally published September 12, 2025 at 5:30 AM with the headline "Durham’s top political groups back mayor, split on City Council candidates."

Kristen Johnson

The News & Observer

919-829-4532

Kristen Johnson is a local government reporter covering Durham for The News & Observer. She previously covered Cary and western Wake County. Prior to coming home to the Triangle, she reported for The Fayetteville Observer and spent time covering politics and culture in Washington, D.C. She is an alumna of UNC at Charlotte and American University.