O’Neal backs Freeman; Schewel backs Williams in Durham mayor’s race. A look at key endorsements.
.jpg "Durham voters will narrow the fields for mayor and the City Council’s at-large seats in an Oct. 10 primary before Election Day on Nov. 7.")
Endorsements for Durham mayor and City Council are largely in, with Durham voters set to head to the polls for early voting on Sept. 21.
The local races each have wide fields that will be narrowed in an Oct. 10 primary before Election Day on Nov. 7.
Want to know more about who’s running? Check out our 2023 Voter Guide.
Sunrise Movement Durham
The local chapter of the national Sunrise Movement Organization, a youth organization seeking to stop the climate crisis, met Aug. 22 to vote on endorsements.
They released a Green New Deal slate, after the federal program seeking to tackle climate change and poverty by crafting a new economy that’s environmentally sustainable.
Nate Baker for City Council
“Nate Baker has shown his commitment to the Green New Deal and the people of Durham by marching alongside members of the Sunrise Movement to push for bold climate action.”
“I would like to take my experience from working as a planning commissioner to the city council to make this city more equitable, affordable, and sustainable for our Durham residents, especially community members that are feeling unheard and are most affected by our city’s decisions and environmental impact,” Baker told the group.
Khalilah Karim for City Council
“Khalilah Karim’s continued commitment to climate justice, economic justice, and housing justice demonstrates how she will be an elected official for the people in our community.”
“As Durham grows, we must ensure that sustainability and equity are at the center. Cities also have a key role in the fight against climate change.” Karim told the group. “As a city council member, I will advocate for investments in green energy, transit, sidewalks, bike infrastructure, parks, trails, and other green and equitable infrastructure investments. I will make sure funding through the Inflation Reduction Act is going to the right groups and accessible to the people who need it the most.”
Sherri Zann Rosenthal for City Council
Sherri Zann Rosenthal brings her decades of experience as an activist for environmental action to the city council. From working with the NC Sustainable Energy Association, on the board of NC Warn, and representing the City of Durham at the NC Utilities Commission.
“If elected, I will absolutely advocate with my colleagues for Durham to once again be intervenors in (North Carolina Utilities Commission) policy dockets, such as the Carbon Plan and Integrated Resources Plan,” Zann Rosenthal said to the group. “Public policy must move into repair mode, to heal the earth and its natural systems.”
Durham for All
Durham for All is a progressive group seeking to mobilize voters in Black working class communities and multiracial, mixed-income neighborhoods. They are focused on housing and development, gun violence and the cost of living.
They sent out questionnaires which were reviewed by a smaller team before members and leadership voted on endorsements Aug. 10. They released their picks Aug. 23.
Durham for All and the People’s Alliance — who endorsed the same slate — have scheduled a joint forum for all the candidates Sept. 21.
Leonardo Williams for mayor
“Leonardo Williams is a small business owner and sitting Durham City Council Member who was elected in 2021. He is capable of holding diverse sets of relationships and maintaining high quality rapport with his colleagues. Leonardo believes businesses (big and small) have a responsibility to the communities they are in as well as their employees. Through his work on the Joint City-County Planning Committee and his City Council voting history, he has proven to be a reliable supporter of public transportation policies that make Durham less car centric (e.g., working to bring Bus Rapid Transit system to Durham). Additionally, he has been a reliable vote on approving housing developments that will benefit from the city’s expanding public transportation. He has also demonstrated great leadership skills by proposing innovative ideas to increase the city’s revenue (income) and by being solution-oriented when the city has faced less than ideal circumstances and decisions.”
Javiera Caballero for City Council
“Since entering office in 2017, Javiera Caballero has been an avid supporter and creator of common sense policies and programs. She voted to let Durhamites decide on the referendum for a $95 million housing bond (which voters approved by a 76% to 24% margin). Additionally, she has consistently voted for developments that include affordable housing. Her support for H.E.A.R.T. has been unwavering and she advocates for the full expansion of HEART in the next three years. She is also in support of initiatives like the Civilian Traffic Unit pilot program that further reduces people’s interactions with the police. Finally, she has often been the only voice on council that has continued to visibilize and offer solutions for Durham’s growing Latine and immigrant communities. Throughout her time in office she has been a treasure trove of knowledge about how city government works, what it is capable of, and policy or program ideas. Her experience and the continuity she’d provide on council is invaluable.”
Khalilah Karim for City Council
“Khallilah Karim is long-time labor and environmental justice organizer with a well documented commitment to multiracial cross-class organizing. She believes communities need care-based interventions like H.E.A.R.T. rather than surveillance tools like ShotSpotter; and she believes in the importance of organization to build power for the most marginalized. As an experienced organizer, she has the necessary skills to stay engaged and work to find a common solution despite differences. She has shown her eagerness to learn from ideas or projects in other North Carolina cities that Durham would benefit from. Given the city’s move towards green infrastructure and addressing climate change, we believe she will bring to the City Council a much-needed depth of knowledge and experience in climate and environmental justice work.”
Carl Rist for City Council
“Carl Rist has been doing political work with organizations like People’s Alliance and the Durham Living Wage Project for over 30 years. That experience translates to his forward thinking about Community Benefits Agreements between developers and impacted residents (makes the promises of developers legally binding); ways to get federal dollars for expanding and strengthening Durham’s infrastructure to keep up with its growth; and more. Furthermore, his organizing work demonstrates a strong policy background (especially in economic and racial justice) and an ability to successfully work with organizations and people where political differences exist. For example, he has worked with the Durham Committee on Affairs of Black People to get a tax assistance program passed for low-income homeowners. The program has helped some longtime Durham residents stay in their homes despite gentrification. His policy experience, knowledge of Durham, and commitment to progressive ideals will be of great value to the City Council.”
People’s Alliance
More than 350 members of the People’s Alliance PAC met Aug. 13 to vote on their choices, selecting progressive candidates for City Council and uniting behind Leonardo Williams for mayor.
Candidates filled out questionnaires and were interviewed by a smaller team within the PA PAC.
Leonardo Williams for mayor
“The membership believes he has made good use of his time on City Council, learning how to effectively enact change that benefits the Durham community while working towards consensus and coalition building with people he does not always agree with on difficult policy decisions. As Mayor, this skill will be necessary to recenter and focus our next council on the work needed to ensure Durham remains home for all of our residents.
Leo ... is best positioned to bring our governing board to the articulation of a shared vision for governance that meets the moment Durham is facing, including legislative attacks, lack of affordable housing, and the need for a regional multi-modal transit plan.”
Javiera Caballero for City Council
“The interview committee was impressed by her record as a council member and her thoughtful responses to the questionnaire. Since her appointment in 2018 and election in 2019, the membership has been impressed by her growth as a council member and will be pleased to have her continue her service.”
Khalilah Karim for City Council
“It is exceptional to see a candidate that has such a strong track record in union organizing, environmental advocacy and racial justice work. The membership felt strongly that Karim’s consistent and bold approach to advocacy and efforts to amplify the experiences of the most marginalized in our community aligns with the values of People’s Alliance. With expertise in community building, conflict resolution, and tactful seeking of consensus when problem solving, the interview committee felt that she is the perfect candidate to lead us toward a more cohesive and balanced council body.“
Carl Rist for City Council
“Carl has dedicated decades of service to the well being of Durhamites through his volunteer work on economic development, livable wages, affordable housing. He is a tried and true progressive force in Durham and the People’s Alliance PAC membership believes he will continue to serve all of Durham as a council member.“
Outgoing Mayor Elaine O’Neal
Durham’s current mayor is leaving the post after a single term, she announced this summer.
She endorsed DeDreana Freeman for mayor on Aug. 12.
“I believe in our shared vision of living in a community that thrives on principles of equity and opportunity,” Freeman’s campaign said in an email announcing the endorsement. “This is a fight for the future of Durham and the many neighborhoods that continue to seek support, transparency, and accountability.”
O’Neal did not respond to requests for more information.
Former Mayor Steve Schewel
Former Mayor Steve Schewel (2017-21) formally endorsed Leonardo Williams for mayor on Aug. 12.
“I am honored to give my strong support to Leonardo Williams to be the next mayor of Durham. On a deeply divided and fractious City Council, Leo has been a constant voice of wisdom, reason and calm. He has championed affordable housing, the significant expansion of Durham’s pioneering HEART program, and keeping Durham’s buses fare-free. He has been a crucial voice in support of funding for the Fayetteville Street corridor and for housing for Durham’s justice-involved citizens. I have rarely seen an elected official as accessible and responsive to residents, or one who believes more deeply in Durham as a city that embraces all people. Leonardo Williams will make a terrific mayor.”
Williams told The News & Observer earlier in the campaign that Schewel encouraged him to run. Before serving two terms as mayor, Schewel was on the City Council (2011-17) and Board of Education (2004-2008).
Friends of Durham
The Friends of Durham interviewed candidates in early August and a steering committee met Aug. 11 to decide who to endorse.
“The candidates being endorsed have demonstrated and expressed views that closely align with the core values of the Friends Of Durham which are: Schools, Crime, Governance and Economic Development,” chair Wendell Bullard said in an email to The News & Observer.
Mike Woodard for mayor
For City Council: Javiera Caballero, Shelia Ann Huggins and Carl Rist
Durham Committee
The Durham Committee on the Affairs of Black People, the oldest political action committee in the city, was the first to decide its selections.
The PAC met Aug. 5 and the next day, the general body ratified its recommendations. They were based on questionnaires candidates submitted.
Leonardo Williams for mayor
“Leonardo Williams is a business owner and devoted servant of Durham who was elected to serve on City Council in 2020. A former DPS teacher of the year, school administrator and business owner. Mr. Williams is focused on supporting affordable living for ALL of Durham’s residents, transportation, infrastructure and the citywide apprenticeship program to address job vacancies and livable wages.”
Monique Holsey-Hyman for City Council
“Dr. Monique Holsey-Hyman was appointed to Durham City Council in 2022. She is a former social work administrator and was recently reelected as vice president of the Durham Social Services Board. Monique is a servant leader who is fighting for the people of Durham by advancing social and economic justice, creating strategies for empowering communities and affordable housing for Durham’s most vulnerable solutions. She has been a strong proponent of the HEART program.”
Nate Baker for City Council
“Nate Baker is a professional urban planner who was born and raised in Durham. He currently serves on the 14-member Durham Planning Commission where he has been fighting against urban sprawl, gentrification, displacement and working with with Durham communities to improve regulations for sidewalks, parks and more affordable housing.”
Shelia Ann Huggins for City Council
“Shelia has more than 20 years experience as a licensed attorney. She has nine years of city government experience. Mrs. Huggins also has a broad-based understanding of city budgets, operations, policies and strategic planning. Shelia’s jobs to housing platform will help Durham residents find housing and connect with new jobs and businesses in the region.”
This story was originally published August 9, 2023 at 8:43 AM.
