Durham Mayor Leo Williams turns back challenge from Anjanée Bell

DURHAM, N.C. (WTVD) -- In a closely watched Durham mayoral race, incumbent Leo Williams won another term, turning back the challenge of Anjanée Bell.

Williams said during the campaign that he hoped to hold on to his seat and continue with the momentum from his first term. Bell campaigned on bringing new leadership to City Hall.

"We have won this race," the mayor told cheering supporters at his watch party on Tuesday night.

Both candidates said they wanted to move the Bull City forward, but their visions to get there were vastly different.

Williams ran a campaign focused on the city's progress and growth under his leadership. Affordability and safety were other key areas of focus

Bell is the daughter of Durham's longest-serving mayor, Bill Bell. She received grassroots support on the campaign trail, but it wasn't enough to overcome Williams, who carried 57.64% of the vote.

Bell promised a Durham with development that doesn't displace families.

Margot Starbuck was one of the first to show up at her polling location. Durham's Main Library on Tuesday morning.

"Just in this moment of history. I couldn't just stay in bed, not vote," she said. "I just, I think so many people feel so powerless. Right now that this is one thing we can do to make a difference."

Durham also decided three city council seats in wards 1, 2, and 3 -- and it was a rough night for incumbents -- with two of them ousted.

In Ward 1, Matt Kopac defeated incumbent DeDreana Freeman in a tight contest. Kopac, who previously served on Durham's planning commission, garnered 51.96% of the vote to 47.87% for Freeman.

In Ward 2, it was a rout as voters sent Mayor Pro Tem Mark-Anthony Middleton packing. He lost his seat to Shanetta Burris, who claimed an astounding 68.55% of the vote. Middleton was first elected in 2017 and won reelection in 2021, but fell well short of the challenge of Burris, an NCCU graduate who had the backing of former Mayor Elaine O-Neal and former city council member Dr. Monique Holsey-Hyman.

In Ward 3, Chelsea Cook, a lawyer and affordable-housing advocate who was appointed to the city council last year, cruised to a full term with 74.52% of the vote, besting Diane Medoff, a school teacher and mother.

For some voters, such as Starbuck, this election came down to the issues affecting their lives.

"Affordable housing got me out to vote. And also very concerned about my neighbors who are losing their federal benefits. And I see so many nonprofits, food banks. I see people in Durham wanting to make it better for our neighbors. But yeah, affordable housing is something I care about in Durham," said Starbuck.

Long-time Durham resident Sharon Lyons is also worried about affordable housing.

"Housing is becoming, like, a problem here. It seems to me that in certain areas, people are being pushed out," she said.

Lorenzo Hudson, who moved to Durham from New York City, is concerned about crime.

"They need to do something. People are not safe here. And as senior citizens, we need to be safer at home, and we're not safe anymore," said Hudson.

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Elisabeth Rosoff moved back to Durham in 2020. She said this election comes down to people and principles.

"Today, when I voted, I wanted to choose people who really put people over process and cared deeply about the community, especially those who don't often have a voice and are disenfranchised. And people like me who are walking around in the free world. I take my privilege very seriously, and that's why I voted today."

Data from the Durham County Board of Elections showed 14,540 people voted early.