It’s Williams vs. Woodard for Durham mayor after Tuesday primary victories
CORRECTION: A version of this story that posted Tuesday morning mistakenly included a prototype results table meant to be filled in Tuesday night.
City Council member Leonardo Williams will face state Sen. Mike Woodard for Durham mayor in November, after the two took the top slots in a hotly contested primary Tuesday.
Williams led the eight-person field with 51.3% of the vote. Woodard, a former council member, finished second with 29%.
Council member DeDreana Freeman placed third, with 14%, and will not be in the Nov. 7 general election. She will remain a council member as her term does not expire until 2025.
Six of the 12 candidates running for three at-large council seats will now advance:
- Nate Baker: 18.3%
- Javiera Caballero: 18.1%
- Carl Rist: 17.6%
- Khalilah Karim: 12.2%
- Shelia Ann Huggins: 9.7%
- Monique Holsey-Hyman: 8.2%
Durham’s mayor faceoff
Williams was exhausted, but exhilarated as he headed home shortly before 11 p.m.
“I’ve put everything into this,” he said. “This race was about character and a new culture. That’s what I’m committed to.”
Williams said the issues voters are focused on — development, affordable housing, transportation, crime, the environment — are all connected.
“The city is growing. No more missed opportunities,” Williams said.
Woodard, meanwhile, raised a toast just before 10 p.m. with supporters at The Velvet Hippo, a new rooftop bar downtown.
“One month to go!” Woodard said.
He told The News & Observer that he felt pretty good, but hoped to see turnout rise in November.
“I’m just going to keep on message. What Durham voters have told me they’re looking for is a strong leader with experience and the knowledge and skill set to lead the city,” Woodard said.
State Sen. Julie Mayfield, a fellow Democrat from Asheville, attended the party.
“I think Mike is the right guy for the job. He’s skilled at bringing people together and has a great ability to find consensus,” Mayfield said.
Mayor Pro Tem Mark-Anthony Middleton, who did not run, said he was encouraged that so many people were willing to endure the scrutiny and long hours of local office.
”This is hard. This is really hard,” Middleton said at Accordion Club on Geer Street late Tuesday. He congratulated Williams, who was nearby talking to his mother and his wife, Zweli.
”I think he’s going to be a fantastic mayor,” Middleton said. “I’m looking forward to getting back to work.”
Williams said he’d ideally like to see Woodard suspend his campaign.
“I’d love to support him staying in the Senate. We desperately need him there. I don’t think people realize how impactful he is,” Williams said.
The City Council candidates
Baker, the top vote-getter among the at-large council candidates, said his “people-powered campaign” represents change Durham is looking for.
“We pledged from the beginning not to accept any donations from real estate developers,” he said. “It feels good. It feels amazing.”
Baker attended a party at Ponysaurus, a brewery on the east side of downtown.
Williams celebrated alongside progressive candidates Caballero, Rist and Karim at Accordion Club.
Karim said she was excited so many shared their vision for Durham. As a queer, Muslim, Black woman, she said she’s been overlooked since she was young.
“But Durham has told me, hey, I’m listening,” Karim said.
Caballero said she’d like to see higher turnout in the general election. Early voting starts next week.
“I will be fighting really hard to be No. 1 in the general,” Caballero said. “We’re in a really good place.”
Huggins watched the votes roll in with family at her office in the Orenge Building downtown. Aside from the incumbents, she’s the only remaining candidate with experience working for the city.
“I’m feeling really encouraged by the results,” Huggins said. “We’ll be taking a look at the data and seeing where we need to canvas.”
Durham local primary turnout
Turnout was low with only 11,251 ballots cast during early voting and 12,205 on Primary Day, according to the Durham County Board of Elections’ unofficial results.
That’s roughly 11.5% of eligible voters.
Candidates receiving major endorsements did well:
- The People’s Alliance endorsed Williams, Caballero, Rist and Karim.
- The Durham Committee on the Affairs of Black People endorsed Williams, Baker, Holsey-Hyman and Huggins.
- INDY Week endorsed Williams, Caballero, Baker and Rist.
This story was originally published October 10, 2023 at 5:30 AM.
