Elaine O’Neal makes Durham history to become city’s 1st Black woman mayor

Former judge Elaine O’Neal made Durham history Tuesday night, easily winning election to become the Bull City’s first Black woman mayor.

O’Neal, a former interim dean of the N.C. Central University Law School, won 25,607 votes, or 84.69% of the total.

Her challenger, City Council member Javiera Caballero, had suspended her campaign after finishing second in the primary but remained on the ballot. The first Latina on the council, Caballero won 4,388 votes or 14.51% of the total Tuesday, according to unofficial election results with all precincts reporting.

O’Neal, quoting writer Toni Morrison and giving an “Eagle Pride” shout out to alma mater NCCU, spoke to the election night crowd after her victory.

“As the first Black woman mayor of Durham,” she said, having to pause as her supporters cheered, “I know that we are closer to the American dream of opportunity for all yet on occasion we remain the closest of strangers.

“Let’s step out of the comfort zone of yesterday into something bold and beautiful and bright for all of our children.”

City Council ward races

In races for the City Council’s three ward seats, incumbents DeDreana Freeman and Mark-Anthony Middleton coasted to victory Tuesday, after far outpacing their challengers in the October primary.

The Ward 3 race, where the two candidates faced each other for the first time, proved the night’s nail biter.

Leonardo Williams, a Durham restaurant owner and former educator, narrowly defeated grassroots organizer AJ Williams.

Leonardo Williams won 14,954 votes, or 50.95%, to AJ Williams’ 14,317 votes, or 48.78%, according to final but unofficial results.

“Whether it was one vote or 700 votes, Durham affirmed where it wants us to go,” Leonardo Williams said. “We knew it was going to be tight [because] AJ ran a helluva a race.”

“When you have two candidates running a clean a race — a solid race — you get fine margins like this,” he added.

The two candidates competed for the Ward 3 seat after Pierce Freelon, who was appointed to fill a vacancy last year, chose not to seek re-election. Since they were the only two people running, they automatically proceeded to the general election.

They split key endorsements. The Durham Committee on the Affairs of Black People and the Friends of Durham endorsed Leonardo Williams. The Durham People’s Alliance PAC and the Durham Association of Educators endorsed AJ Williams.

Voters turnout for the municipal election was 14.47%, according to the state Board of Elections website.

MAYOR

▪ Elaine O’Neal, 84.69%

▪ Javiera Caballero, 14.51%

WARD 1

▪ DeDreana Freeman*, 71.17%

▪ Marion T. Johnson, 28.55 %

*incumbent

WARD 2

▪ Mark-Anthony Middleton*, 87.57%

▪ Sylvester Williams, 11.90%

*incumbent

Ward 3

▪ Leonardo Williams, 50.95%

▪ AJ Williams, 48.78%

This story was originally published November 2, 2021 at 8:24 PM with the headline "Elaine O’Neal makes Durham history to become city’s 1st Black woman mayor."