Local elections could reshape Durham’s leadership. We asked the candidates to answer 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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This year’s Durham election could remake the city’s governing body, with a new mayor on the way and three at-large council seats up for grabs.
Current Mayor Elaine O’Neal is retiring after just two years, and one of the longest-serving council members, Jillian Johnson will not run again.
Many votes today run along 4-3 lines, meaning the new leaders could reshape how the Bull City grows and spends its tax dollars.
To help you get to know the 20 people running, we invited people from across the city to ask their own questions.
They wanted answers on development, fair pay for city workers, bike safety and the environment, plus solutions for a safer, healthier Durham.
Here’s how the candidates explained their visions. (Note: This story has been updated to show candidates making it through to the final election on Tuesday, Nov. 7, in bold.)
Durham candidates for mayor
- Charlitta Burruss
- DeDreana Freeman
- Nick Pettiford
- Leonardo Williams
- Marshall Williams Jr.
- Sylvester Williams
- Mike Woodard
- Jontae Dunston (no response)
Durham candidates for City Council
- Nate Baker
- Shanetta Burris
- Javiera Caballero
- JJ Campbell
- Bonita Green
- Monique Holsey-Hyman
- Shelia Huggins (Note: Huggins has suspended her campaign, but her name will still appear on the ballot.)
- Khalilah Karim
- Carl Rist
- Sherri Zann Rosenthal
- Waldo Fenner (no response)
- Renee Vaughan (no response)
How to vote
A primary is being held to narrow the field. Early voting in the primary runs through Oct. 7 and Primary Day is Oct. 10.
- For mayor: The top two candidates proceed to the general election in November.
- For City Council: The top six candidates proceed to the general election in November.
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 10:10 AM with the headline "Local elections could reshape Durham’s leadership. We asked the candidates to answer your questions.."
