Nick Pettiford, candidate for Durham mayor, takes your questions
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Durham Mayor and City Council Election 2023
Residents in Durham will choose a new mayor and fill three City Council seats this fall. There are eight people competing for mayor. (Jontae Dunston did not respond to our questionnaire.) Early voting in the primary runs through Oct. 7 with the Primary Election on Oct. 10. The top two mayoral candidates and top six council candidates will proceed to the general election in November. Learn more about the candidates.
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A pivotal election is underway in Durham, with voters choosing a new mayor and filling three City Council seats this fall.
There are eight people competing for mayor.
Early voting in the primary runs through Oct. 7 and Primary Day is Oct. 10.
The top two mayoral candidates will proceed to the general election in November and the winner will have a two-year term.
We collected questions from residents across Durham to help readers get to know the candidates.
Nick Pettiford
Name: Nick Pettiford
Age: 42
Occupation: Regional Marketing Manager for DTLR, Inc
Website: Not provided
Are we paying people competitively and keeping our promises to our workers?
- East Durham resident Aidil Ortiz
In many job fields in Durham we are not paying workers competitively in comparison to markets in surrounding areas.
Do you have any experience that helps you understand development in Durham? How do you plan to get more affordable units in the city?
- Planning commissioner Zuri Williams
Yes, I have experience because I’m from Durham and have seen the rise and fall of many areas in Durham. I will try to broker deals that put more units in the city to accommodate our housing needs and hold accountable developers that promise to have [affordable] units but don’t follow through.
As Durham grows more dense, how do we get away from the classic American model of car-oriented development? Are there any policies that you support that can keep us from becoming another Atlanta or Dallas?
- Downtown resident Nirav Patel
By supporting the current and future transportation needs of the city through multiple transportation outlets and the redesigning of roads and highways to accommodate new residents before they get here vs after they get here.
What policies do you support for implementing safer streets and reducing car dependency locally and regionally?
- Stadium Heights resident Nick Roberts
By supporting more bike share programs, carpooling with friends and coworkers and public local transportation
What will you do to support the mental health needs of everyday Durham residents, especially thousands of young people in our public school systems?
- Hillside High School senior Isaiah Palmer
Develop more mental health programs and outlets that focus on the youth and things they experience. The more we can offer to help people / youth in need the more we can assist in helping them.
In your vision for the city, what role does public education play and how does that connect to economic development, public safety and community health?
- Fayetteville Street corridor resident Erika Wilkins
It plays a major role for the development of our city for the future. The more educated we are the more we can offer our community through programs, jobs, safety and health. The more knowledge we have the more we are assets to everyone and our city.
On the subject of alleged Clean Water Act violations in Falls Lake and its tributaries: How did we get here and who should be held responsible? Who is going to pay for the creek restoration and environmental damage?
- Southeast Durham resident Pam Andrews
I think we got there by not having the proper oversight in those areas. And the developers that caused this should be held accountable for getting this fixed and ensuring that it never happens again or even stiffer penalties will be issued.
How have you seen Durham evolve in your time here and what’s one thing you’ll have the power to change if elected?
- The News & Observer
Yes, I’m born and raised in Durham all my life. I’ve seen where it has grown over the past 42 years of my life til now. I will have the power to assist in focusing on making more affordable housing areas in the city.
To find polling places and full details on voting, visit the Board of Elections at dcovotes.com or 919-560-0700.
This story was originally published September 28, 2023 at 7:10 AM with the headline "Nick Pettiford, candidate for Durham mayor, takes your questions."
