Durham City Council member Caballero suspends mayoral campaign

Durham City Council member Javiera Caballero announced Monday she is suspending her campaign for mayor.

Caballero, who is the first Latina city councilor elected in North Carolina, finished second in last week’s nonpartisan municipal primary.

Former Judge Elaine O’Neal led the seven-person field with 68% of the vote. Caballero, who finished with 25% of the vote, would have faced her in the Nov. 2 general election.

“From the beginning, I knew this campaign would be an uphill battle,” Caballero wrote in a statement. “I also knew I owed it to my community to stand up, to take one more step in making sure that our immigrant community in Durham feels seen.”

“I will never stop fighting for my community,” she added.

Caballero was endorsed by the Durham People’s Alliance PAC, the Durham Association of Educators and Mayor Steve Schewel, who is not seeking a third term.

In the weeks leading up to the primary, however, some community members argued voters should back O’Neal and give the city its first Black woman mayor and the continued service of its first Latina on the council. Caballero has two years left on her council term.

In her statement, Caballero congratulated O’Neal and repeated her commitment to work on Durham’s rising cost of housing, gun violence and climate change.

“I believe that my best role right now is to continue to fight for my values and for the people of Durham in my role on the City Council,” she wrote.

O’Neal also released a statement Monday responding to Caballero’s announcement.

“With the suspension of her campaign today, I want to thank Councilwoman Javiera Caballero for her willingness to step up and run for Mayor,” O’Neal said. “I look forward to working with her on the city council and together we will work to make Durham an even better place for everyone to call home.”

Caballero’s name will remain on the general election ballot.

Early voting begins on Thursday, Oct. 14, and Election Day is Nov. 2. In addition to the mayor’s seat, the council’s three ward seats are up for election.

This story was originally published October 11, 2021 at 9:43 AM.