Former Durham mayor says transportation, housing among biggest issues facing city as primary nears

Affordable housing, transportation and crime are on the minds of voters in Durham when they head to the polls Tuesday for primary elections.

Eight people are running for mayor this year. Two will move on to the general election.

A look at who's running shows a variety of candidates with different experience levels. A former mayor believes the Bull City needs someone to address issues similar to when he was in office.

On Oct. 10, Durham residents will walk through the doors of polling places like this one and cast their ballots for the next leader of the city. Two of the eight candidates will move on to the general election.

Durham is a city of change as development is everywhere.

WibGulley was the mayor of the Bull City from 1985 to 1989

"Or as I like to say, last century!" he said.

He said he believes some of the biggest issues then are the same ones now. One is transportation and another is affordable housing.

"There's no really silver bullet, not just here, but in the country, because if there was, we'd have found it by now," Gulley said.

Of the eight candidates running, some have sat on Council already.

• Mike Woodard is a current state senator; he served on City Council from 2005 to 2012.
• Leonardo Williams has been a City Council member since 2021. He's a former teacher and now a local business owner.
• DeDreana Freeman has been a member of City Council since 2017. She also serves as a non-profit director.

Some candidates have run for mayor before.

• CharlittaBurruss is a community advocate and pastor, who has received a Neighbor Spotlight Award.
• Sylvester Williams is a retired financial analyst and a pastor.

New faces have also launched campaigns.

• Marshall Williams Junior is a current sales leader. His campaign website says he's sat on multiple City boards.
• JontaeDunston's Facebook page describes his campaign as one for citizen's mayor, with a focus on respecting others.
• According to his LinkedIn profile, Nick Pettiford is a graduate of North Carolina Central, and a regional marketing manager.

Gulley said one of the most important qualities the next mayor should have is the ability to unite city council and the community.

"I'm gonna try my best to be the mayor of everybody in this community and work for the whole community and try to make us rise together. because we will rise or fall together."