By Mia Khatib
mia.khatib@triangletribune.com
DURHAM — Durham City Council member Leonardo “Leo” Williams emerged victorious in the race for Bull City mayor against North Carolina state Senator Mike Woodard Tuesday.
After leading with 51% of votes in the primaries, Williams won the general election with more than 63% (24,124) of votes compared to Woodard’s 36% (13,755). He will succeed Mayor Elaine O’Neal, who decided not to seek reelection for a second term.
“This race was tough. But it was tough because of the climate in which we are doing politics in Durham,” Williams said at The Velvet Hippo on election night. “I was thankful that I had this race with Sen. Woodard because I knew we were going to talk politics, not personality… and I knew that no matter what, Durham was going to be in great hands.”
Woodard called during Williams’ speech to concede and congratulate him. In an interview with The Tribune, Williams, who is a restaurant owner and former educator, said his first priority will be to establish a functional City Council.
“No issue can be addressed unless you have a functioning council,” he said. “Day One, I want to make sure that I can appreciate everyone’s perspective so we can work together as a council.”
Williams added that he wants to ensure Durham has a strong economy, one that people can have a stake in; that everyone who wants to live in Durham can; and that we build a government that has capacity for everyone to contribute and better the community.
“I want to make sure that we have a vision that is going to evolve us into the next phase of what Durham can be,” he said. “It’s not about me, it’s about what I can help them do for us.”
Carlos O’Briant, CEO of Family Bizness, a local entertainment agency, said he hopes the mayor-elect brings Durham’s music and art scene to the forefront with more opportunities, and the new city government boosts salaries for employees to match rising costs of living.
“That’s something that I believe wholeheartedly will take us to another level to where we’re one of the known cities in the state,” he said. “I voted for Leo because he’s a reflection of the city and… the future of what the city represents from a cultural scale.”
Resident Seneca Modest told The Tribune he thinks Williams can help revolutionize the city, tackling the affordable housing crisis and attracting new businesses to the local market to facilitate the city’s growth.
“The city is growing at a good pace, but there are some needs that need to be addressed,” Modest said. “Tax revenue is through the roof for companies and for homeownership as well so those are some of the things that the City Council has to tackle, as well as wages for employees.”
Three City Council at-large seats also were up for grabs: Nate Baker, Carl Rist and incumbent Javiera Caballero landed them. Council member Monique Holsey-Hymen, who was accused of extorting a developer for campaign support and then cleared earlier this year, lost her seat.
Community organizer Dominique Sanders said Durham’s local businesses are what makes it special, and Williams’ ongoing advocacy in this area shows that he’s passionate about serving his community.
“Supporting the local businesses that are really the community of Durham and have been here for years and years, I hope that’s an initiative that the mayor’s office and the City Council continue to support,” she said.
Mia Khatib, who covers affordable housing and gentrification, is a Report for America corps member.
