Durham mayoral matchup set; city council members face stiff challenges; see full results
DURHAM, N.C. (WTVD) -- The race is set for November: Mayor Leonardo Williams, defending his record in office, came in first by a wide margin in his bid for reelection. That sets up a matchup with Anjanee Bell in November.
But whoever wins in November, the mayor could be facing a different city council, as some longtime members are in tight races.
Williams thanked supporters after his wide-margin win. He said this election, for him, was about standing on his record of building the Bull City for the past two years.
DURHAM MAYORAL RESULTS
"My biggest accomplishment is showing the city of Durham what's possible, you know, the of the future. Fine. Showing that bureaucracy doesn't have to hold us up, hold us back, to invest in our children, you know, showing that we can focus on affordable living rather than just affordable housing, that we can take a holistic approach to engage, you know, people to generate a decent quality of life," Williams said.
Bell, who also advanced to the general election, said that although she will have to make up ground against the mayor next month, she believes she offers voters a better choice on the issues.
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"I definitely think development is one," Bell said. "I think in terms of what's happening, in terms of crime is going to be another, and I think people being able to stay in the city is. I mean, it really is that, you know, people are feeling disheartened and not being able to be here. And so keeping our people and the money in the city, I think, is going to boil down to that."
All three council incumbents advanced to the general election, but some faced stiff challenges, a sign they will have to battle for every vote again next month.
DURHAM CITY COUNCIL RESULTS
That includes Mayor Pro Tem Mark-Anthony Middleton, a key ally of Williams, who is facing a legitimate challenge from Shanetta Burris in Ward 2.
"I will never stop talking about gun violence. I will never stop talking about having everyone participate in our shared economy, of course, managing our growth as a city," Middleton said. "I'm not going to stop talking about protecting immigrants and things like guaranteed income and doing the type of things that bring holistic, full toolbox approaches to Durham's problems."
Burns, who was endorsed by former Mayor Elaine O'Neal, garnered about 49% of the vote to Middleton's 40%.
In Ward 1, incumbent DeDreana Freeman finished second behind Matt Kopac in a race with six candidates.
Earlier Tuesday, ABC11 saw voters hitting the polls and also caught up with some of the candidates out making their final pushes, including Williams.
Williams said he was discouraged by the very low turnout seen in an off-year election.
"I need people to vote like they spend their time on Facebook. I need people to vote like they spend their time on Instagram. I need people to vote like they spend their time on Reddit," Williams said. "You know, like, this is where it matters."
Durham native Yolanda Mitchell wouldn't miss an opportunity to vote.
"I have been voting all my life. My dad was a stickler about voting everywhere he went and encouraged people to vote. He had me working at the precinct," said Mitchell. "I told someone today he would turn over in his grave if he knew that I did not vote."
RELATED | Meet the candidates for Durham mayor, city council
From national elections to local races, Mitchell continues to make her voice heard at the ballot box, and Tuesday was no different. She is closely following the municipal primary election and who will lead Durham forward.
"I think a lot of the candidates, after reading what they wanted to do for Durham, would make a difference. A lot of the candidates have good things that they are presenting," Mitchell shared.
The top two candidates for mayor and the top two candidates in each of the three ward races move on to the general election Nov. 4.
Williams is hoping to keep his mayoral seat and continue working for the people of Durham. But he's facing four other candidates on the ticket.
Voters said the issues facing Durham families determined who got their vote. Some of the recurring concerns for voters over this election cycle include economic development, opportunities for young people in the city, affordable housing, and crime.
Affordability was a concern for Mitchell.
"I am a senior and I'll be 70 in December. And where I'm staying now is affordable housing, according to the quote-unquote statistics. But according to the pocketbook, a lot of seniors who should be retired are having to work to maintain living expenses, to get medication, food, you name it," Mitchell described.
Voter Cornelius Andrews of Durham said safety and gun violence were factors in his vote. He's lived in Durham for 40 years.
"Guns have always been a problem here. And so that's why I came out to vote," said Andrews. "The crime is happening here now. It's on a federal level, coming from other countries. And this is like Detroit and New York. These are new gangsters."
Hours before the polls closed, Williams voted with his family at Morehead Montessori Elementary School. He made his last plea for voters to get out and vote.
"What really matters is, are you going to do your civic responsibility? And more so, our civic obligation, because no president, Democrat, Republican, or independent can do anything about your trash, your water, or your local quality of life," said Williams. "The most sacred way we can do that is at the voting booth."
