The 2023 Durham mayoral election was held on November 7, 2023, to elect the
mayor
In many countries, a mayor is the highest-ranking official in a Municipal corporation, municipal government such as that of a city or a town. Worldwide, there is a wide variance in local laws and customs regarding the powers and responsibilitie ...
of
Durham, North Carolina
Durham ( ) is a city in the U.S. state of North Carolina and the county seat of Durham County, North Carolina, Durham County. Small portions of the city limits extend into Orange County, North Carolina, Orange County and Wake County, North Carol ...
. Incumbent mayor
Elaine O'Neal Elaine O'Neil may refer to:
* Elaine Hamilton-O'Neal (1920–2010), American abstract painter and muralist
* Elaine O'Neal (photographer) (born 1946), American photographer
* Elaine O'Neal (politician), American politician and judge
{{hndis ...
, the first black woman elected to the position, chose to retire after a single two-year term.
The
nonpartisan blanket primary
A nonpartisan primary, top-two primary, or jungle primary is a primary election in which all candidates for the same elected office run against each other at once, regardless of political party. This distinguishes them from partisan primaries, w ...
was held on October 10. City councilor
Leonardo Williams
Leonardo Williams is an American politician, restaurateur, and former educator. He has served as the mayor of Durham, North Carolina since December 4, 2023. Prior to his term as mayor, Williams was a member of the Durham City Council. He and his w ...
and state senator
Mike Woodard advanced to the general election. Williams defeated Woodard by a wide margin.
Candidates
Advanced to general
*
Leonardo Williams
Leonardo Williams is an American politician, restaurateur, and former educator. He has served as the mayor of Durham, North Carolina since December 4, 2023. Prior to his term as mayor, Williams was a member of the Durham City Council. He and his w ...
, city councilor
*
Mike Woodard,
North Carolina state senator from the
22nd district
Eliminated in primary
* Charlitta Burruss, community advocate and candidate for mayor in
2021
Like the year 2020, 2021 was also heavily defined by the COVID-19 pandemic, due to the emergence of multiple Variants of SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19 variants. The major global rollout of COVID-19 vaccines, which began at the end of 2020, continued ...
* Jontae Dunston
*
DeDreana Freeman, city councilor
* Nick Pettiford, retail store manager
* Marshall Williams Jr., board member for Preservation Durham and sales specialist
* Sylvester Williams, pastor and perennial candidate
Declined
*
Mark-Anthony Middleton
Mark-Anthony Middleton is an American politician and Protestant minister. He has served on the Durham, North Carolina, Durham City Council since 2017 and as Mayor Pro Tempore of Durham since 2021.
Career Ministry
Williams is the senior pasto ...
, city councilor and mayor pro tempore
*
Elaine O'Neal Elaine O'Neil may refer to:
* Elaine Hamilton-O'Neal (1920–2010), American abstract painter and muralist
* Elaine O'Neal (photographer) (born 1946), American photographer
* Elaine O'Neal (politician), American politician and judge
{{hndis ...
, incumbent mayor
*
Kenneth Spaulding, former
North Carolina state representative from the
16th district
Primary election
Results
General election
Endorsements
Results
Notes
References
External links
Official campaign sites
DeDreana Freeman for MayorLeonardo Williams for MayorMike Woodard for Mayor
{{2023 United States elections
Mayoral elections in Durham, North Carolina
Durham mayoral
Durham Durham most commonly refers to:
*Durham, England, a cathedral city in north east England
**County Durham, a ceremonial county which includes Durham
*Durham, North Carolina, a city in North Carolina, United States
Durham may also refer to:
Places
...
21st century in Durham, North Carolina