2023 Durham Voter Guide: Meet the candidates & get info on voting
What’s new about Voter ID in NC?
Learn about the new Voter ID requirement in North Carolina and get ready to vote
About the 2023 Durham Election
DURHAM’S ELECTION DAY IS TUESDAY, NOV. 7
This year’s Election Day for the City of Durham will be on Tuesday, November 7. Polls will be open 6:30 a.m. – 7:30 p.m. on Election Day. Find your Election Day polling place.
Meet the Durham City Council candidates further down on this page.
See the Voting Tools section at the bottom of this page to find important voting information.
Questions about Durham’s election? Contact the Durham County Board of Elections at 919-560-0700.
What’s new about Voter ID in NC?
Learn about the new Voter ID requirement in North Carolina and get ready to vote
WHAT DOES THE CITY COUNCIL DO?
The Mayor and the other members of the City Council make a wide range of decisions affecting your life. The City Council sets policies and priorities, and oversees the many functions of local government, including:
• The Police & Fire Departments
• Economic & Community Development
• Anti-Discrimination Ordinances
• Appointments to Boards & Committees
• Water & Waste Disposal
• Tax Rates & the City Budget
• Affordable Housing
• Streets, Sidewalks & Road Repair
• City Govt. Employee Wages & Benefits
• Recreation, Parks & Arts Programs
All candidates running for Durham Mayor or City Council were invited to complete a brief profile to inform voters about their background, priorities and views on important issues for the community. The candidates’ responses can be seen below.
Candidates for Durham Mayor
choose ONE candidate in this race
Leonardo (Leo) Williams
candidate for Mayor
Background: I’m a former teacher, school administrator, executive leader, and consultant to Governor Cooper. I’m a current small business owner and I’m on the Durham City Council. I am actively involved in numerous committees, boards, and organizations allowing me to gain a deep understanding of Durham’s needs.
Why are you running for this office? I’ve seen the difference it makes when our community comes together. It’s what’s driven me to work to support my neighbors both near and far. I’m running for Mayor to emphasize action, progress, and to lead the council effectively to deliver for all of Durham.
Please describe your top 2 or 3 priorities if elected: I commit to diverse housing options that allow for stable, safe, and affordable shelter, an infrastructure that will support multimodal transit options and expanded connectivity, and effective strategies to address public safety and improve the overall quality of life for all residents.
Please describe how you would address the following issues:
Public safety and gun violence: We need to focus on comprehensive solutions to crime and gun violence. We as the city government should prioritize addressing the root causes of crime by investing in social programs and initiatives that aim to uplift communities, ensuring access to opportunities and resources for all residents.
Affordable housing and the city’s unhoused population: We need a versatile housing framework, promoting multi-use properties, uplifting conditions for public housing residents, and meeting affordable needs for all.
Police accountability: It’s important to collaborate with local law enforcement to make data-driven decisions that support reducing crime while also keeping PDP accountable to the public. I also work together with local organizations and residents to ensure all voices can move us toward a safer city.
How would you help ensure young people, including area college students, have a voice in local government and the decisions that affect the community? To everyone who wants to engage to make Durham better, especially young people whose present and future depend on it: join me at the policy table! Let’s engage in roundtables, think tanks, small group discussions, and forums together to help draft policy, and directly impact our city as a whole.
Website: Leo4Durham.com
Mike Woodard
candidate for Mayor
awaiting response from candidate
Website: MikeWoodard.com
Candidates for Durham City Council – At-Large
choose THREE candidates in this race
Nate Baker
candidate for City Council
Background: I’m a professional urban planning consultant and Durham Planning Commissioner with 10+ years of experience in long-range urban planning and policymaking for other cities across NC and the South.
Why are you running for this office? I’m passionate about improving Durham for all residents, but especially those who have been left behind by the dramatic changes over the last 15 years. My passion for Durham, experience in urban planning, and creativity can help make Durham a more inclusive, equitable, prosperous, thriving city.
Please describe your top 2 or 3 priorities if elected: Redefining how we grow by creating a more equitable and sustainable development review process, promote community-driven small area planning. Gun violence and traffic accidents is harming our community everyday. I will fight for evidence based solutions that can improve lives of residents.
Please describe how you would address the following issues:
Public safety and gun violence: I support evidence-based methods to make communities safer, including alternative public safety approaches such as the expansion of the community safety department. I support Investments in parks and recreation, youth programs/internships, gang intervention, and progressive criminal justice reforms.
Affordable housing and the city’s unhoused population: Grow the city’s stock of permanent affordable housing and protect/support our existing affordable housing through zoning policies, particularly in neighborhoods at-risk for gentrification. Fight for a system of community planning in Durham to better engage with residents and small businesses.
Police accountability: As the police department is a significant proportion of the city budget, maintaining dialogue and ensuring accountability with the police department and community members is a core part of City Council’s job. I also support giving citizen review boards subpoena powers in review police cases.
How would you help ensure young people, including area college students, have a voice in local government and the decisions that affect the community? I would like to create and enhance youth programs/internships that partner with local schools and colleges to build a network of young people that are more informed in local government. And work with existing organizations to build partnerships with the young residents of Durham.
Website: NateForDurham.com
Javiera Caballero
candidate for City Council
Background: I’m a working mom and former educator. Since 2018 I’ve been Durham’s first Latina city councilperson. In my time on council I’ve led on affordable housing, community safety, and immigrant services. I have a strong ability to govern with others and a track record of getting things done for Durham.
Why are you running for this office? I’m running for city council because I want to see a Durham where we all thrive. I have the experience working with residents, city staff, and elected officials to make collective change. I want to make more progress on affordable housing, economic justice, and community safety.
Please describe your top 2 or 3 priorities if elected: Housing: Create new & improve existing affordable units for workers, seniors, people with disabilities and low-income folks. Economic justice: Raise city worker pay. Grow city services for small business owners. Community safety: Expand HEART, our unarmed crisis response program, to 24/7 citywide.
Please describe how you would address the following issues:
Public safety and gun violence: I’ll work to ensure that every resident can access the care they deserve in crisis by expanding HEART 24/7 citywide. I’ll also push for greater supports for young people in our public schools, including mental health support and job training, by coordinating with the County and DPS.
Affordable housing and the city’s unhoused population: I’ll work to increase the number of affordable units for workers, seniors, people with disabilities and low-income residents by passing a new affordable housing bond. I also want to create a rental assistance fund, and a day shelter for our unhoused neighbors.
Police accountability: Continue maintaining and improving reforms we have already implemented such as a written consent to search requirement, having a Crisis Intervention Team (CIT), and many additional officers that are CIT trained.
How would you help ensure young people, including area college students, have a voice in local government and the decisions that affect the community? I’m a strong advocate for participatory budgeting. Each year Durham allocates $2.4 million towards community projects that residents vote for, and anyone aged 13 or up can vote. This is a great way for young people to get involved in decisions that affect their neighborhoods.
Website: JavieraForDurham.com
Monique Holsey-Hyman
candidate for City Council
Background: With over 25 years of direct social work practice and an extensive background in education and leadership, I possess a diverse skill set and a strong commitment to community service, making me highly qualified and dedicated to continuing to serve the residents in the City of Durham.
Why are you running for this office? I want to offer my skills in leadership, community organization, and social work. Being trained to address community problems, I want to continue my service for the people of Durham by actively listening to the community’s concerns and working towards practical solutions.
Please describe your top 2 or 3 priorities if elected: My top three governing priorities are affordable housing, safer neighborhoods, and equitable green space access. I’ll make housing accessible to all and prevent resident displacement. I’ll foster partnerships for community safety and uphold environmental preservation for Durham’s unique essence.
Please describe how you would address the following issues:
Public safety and gun violence: I supported the ShotSpotter pilot program and await the year-end report to assess its effectiveness. I will continue to support H.E.A.R.T. My voting history on the council and collaboration with Chief Andrews to address resident concerns reflect a commitment to innovative community safety solutions.
Affordable housing and the city’s unhoused population: I’m dedicated to affordable housing in Durham. Collaboration with experts and community input can yield effective, innovative solutions for all residents’ safe and affordable housing needs.
Police accountability: As a council member, I would explore ideas to tackle staffing shortages within our Public Safety Departments, encourage advanced training protocols, and support mental health services and programs for law enforcement.
How would you help ensure young people, including area college students, have a voice in local government and the decisions that affect the community? I’ll continue empowering young people in local government through engagement, education, and mentorship. I initiated the City of Durham Mentoring Alliance Collaborative Pilot program, partnered with local colleges, and advocated for mentoring and outreach programs to nurture future civic leaders.
Website: CandidateDrMoniqueHolseyHyman.com
Shelia Ann Huggins
candidate for City Council
Background: • Almost 9 years of city government experience, including operations, budgeting, strategic planning, personnel development, community engagement, and real estate; • Former work as an environmental chemist and teaching environmental courses; • Law degree and a Master’s of Public Administration degree
Why are you running for this office? Durham is changing. Some residents feel left out of the new Durham they see. The key is in mapping a path forward so all residents feel like Durham is their home. With my former city government background and my experience as an attorney helping people, I am well-positioned to map that path forward.
Please describe your top 2 or 3 priorities if elected: I believe that the top three important issues facing Durham are the following: 1) poverty and the consequences of poverty, 2) growth management (which includes property development, both residential and commercial, and related environmental issues), and 3) local economy and jobs.
Please describe how you would address the following issues:
Public safety and gun violence: Prevention is the key. This means having a strong education system, safe and supportive parental environments, access to mental and physical health care, safe and quality housing, a good peer environment, and more. There is no one answer to the problem and no one party that can provide a solution.
Affordable housing and the city’s unhoused population: My plan, called The 60th, outlines a strategy to help residents access housing by aligning jobs with housing. This means developing better connections with employers. For our unhoused population, it means working with community partners and the county to double down on strategies that are working.
Police accountability: The main goals around police accountability should focus on transparency, communication, and accountability. Without a continuing commitment to those, it’s difficult for residents to trust law enforcement and build healthy community relationships. Commitment starts at the top.
How would you help ensure young people, including area college students, have a voice in local government and the decisions that affect the community? In Durham, we have a number of ways that young people can get involved in local government, for instance by taking part in the Participatory Budgeting process or getting a job through Durham YouthWorks. The Office of Youth also has programs, including a leadership fund and an ambassador program.
Website: VoteSheliaHuggins.com
Khalilah Karim
candidate for City Council
Background: I am a long-time organizer and social justice advocate with a proud labor background. I have organized with Fight for 15 and led and won two of the largest ever adjunct union campaigns. With PowerUP NC, I have also worked extensively on environmental sustainability and environmental justice issues.
Why are you running for this office? I’m running for my children. When I moved here, I was able to buy a house and build a life with my wife. Over time, however, this middle-class dream has become less accessible, and so many Durham families are struggling. That’s why we need to ensure a happy, healthy future for future generations.
Please describe your top 2 or 3 priorities if elected: Durham is dealing with three pressing issues: community health and safety, economic hardships with rising cost and stagnant wages and the environment. We need investments in expanding social and mental health programs, sustainable green infrastructure, and ensuring fair wages for our workers.
Please describe how you would address the following issues:
Public safety and gun violence: By providing unarmed response alternatives, the HEART Program has been a vital resource. Going forward, Durham must invest in true crime prevention. This means bold investment in wrap-around services, employment, youth programs and skill development so that community members can thrive.
Affordable housing and the city’s unhoused population: There is an urgent housing crisis in Durham, and I’ve fought for racial equity and transparency in development. In addition to good paying union jobs, we need strategic investments in affordable housing, down payment assistance for first-time homebuyers, and low-income property tax assistance.
Police accountability: ShotSpotter and other programs that lead to over-policing are not the answer. We need policies that invest in people, which is why I support alternatives to policing and will fight to fully fund HEART. I’m also grateful for the work being done by the Durham Community Safety and Wellness Task Force.
How would you help ensure young people, including area college students, have a voice in local government and the decisions that affect the community? We must invest in Durham’s Office on Youth to provide direction on youth initiatives like the Youth Ambassadors program, which works directly with local government. I also believe in expanding the Participatory Budgeting program so that young adults can have a say in the issues that affect them.
Website: KhalilahForDurham.com
Carl Rist
candidate for City Council
Background: I have spent a 30+ year career focusing on how to close the wealth gap. I have partnered with organizations across Durham to advocate for creative solutions like founding the Durham Living Wage Project and implementing the low-income homeowners tax assistance program.
Why are you running for this office? With the influx of new residents, we’ve experienced a sharp increase in housing costs that makes the city less livable for many longtime Durham residents, especially working-class people. I am running because I believe in building more widely shared prosperity for everyone in Durham.
Please describe your top 2 or 3 priorities if elected: I want to ensure we have access to safe and affordable housing, invest in community safety, and build more widely-shared economic prosperity. I believe with strategic investments, creative problem-solving, and relationship-building within the community, Durham can be a place where all of us thrive.
Please describe how you would address the following issues:
Public safety and gun violence: There are a number of things the city could do to improve community safety including fair and competitive pay, expanding the HEART program, creating an office of survivor care, expanding Durham’s basic income program for citizens returning from prison, and passing a “fair chance” housing ordinance.
Affordable housing and the city’s unhoused population: To create and sustain an adequate supply of affordable housing, we must develop additional permanent supportive housing, provide support for DHA and local non-profits to use the housing bond funds, provide downpayment assistance, and encourage private development of affordable housing.
Police accountability: Raising pay to fair and competitive wages along with diverting some calls to the HEART program can ensure police stay focused on police work. We must also hold our police force to high standards and move away from excessive use of force and disproportionate policing of Black and brown residents.
How would you help ensure young people, including area college students, have a voice in local government and the decisions that affect the community? Participatory budgeting has been a huge win for young people in our city, but we also must ensure that community engagement includes all of our residents. This can be done by partnering with schools, both DPS and local colleges, to ensure that everyone has a seat at the table.
Website: CarlForDurham.com
Voting Tools
Questions about Durham’s election?
Contact the Durham County Board of Elections at 919-560-0700.
