'There's going to be a new culture': Leo Williams elected as new mayor of Durham
Leonardo Williams will serve as the next Durham mayor after defeating challenger Mike Woodard on Tuesday night.
With 100% of the precincts reporting, Williams has 24,141 votes (63%) and Woodard has 13,759 votes (36%).
"It's an overwhelming feeling, but it was a mandate that the city of Durham stated tonight," Williams said. "The expectations have been made clear. The agenda is set and I'm ready to work."
Williams is set to replace outgoing Mayor Elaine O'Neal, who announced in June she would not run for reelection. O’Neal was elected Durham mayor in November 2021.
WRAL News asked Williams what his top priorities and plans as he takes office.
"Day one, there's going to be a new culture of being able to work together, a functioning [city] council," Williams said. "Secondly, I want all of Durham to know that we've been listening, and we're going to get our act together as your leadership, and we're going to respond to your needs.
"And in order to that, you have to have a functioning council."
Historically, a new mayor officially takes office in December.
Williams said he wanted to "reintroduce Durham to the state of North Carolina."
"This race represented unity," Williams said.
WRAL News asked Williams how he plans to deal with crime in Durham.
"I plan to build on what I've already started," Williams said. "The city-wide apprenticeship program, the task force on the status of Black young men and boys, Black and brown young men and boys.
"The best thing you can do is put a W-2 in someone's hands. Our kids should not be bored."
At Williams' watch party at the Velvet Hippo in Durham, he said Woodard called him to concede.
During the Oct. 10 primary election, Williams received 12,206 votes (51.2%) and Woodard received 6,902 votes (29%).
In October, Williams discussed the importance of engaging kids in Durham.
"We've got to make sure that we're leading a culture that's embracing all of the resources we have available," Williams said. "Our kids have to be so involved, so engaged or working that you're too bored to get in trouble.”
Last month, Woodard mentioned staffing issues within the Durham Police Department.
"Short term, we've got to make sure that our police department is fully staffed," Woodard said.
Another issue on the minds of Durham residents is housing.
Woodard points to the possibility of utilizing public lands in the city and county.
"We passed a $95 million bond referendum a few years ago," Woodard said. "Making sure we are delivering on the housing we promised in that bond."
Woodard mentioned the possibility of the city working with county government and private developers to develop affordable housing.
WRAL News asked Williams about his plans about affordable housing if he were to become mayor.
"I'm one of the leading representatives in Durham on transportation," Williams said. "We have to identify our transit corridors, diversify the housing options that are actually available to be built along those corridors, and that'll allow us to be able to increase our supply."
Williams is currently a Durham City Council member, representing Ward 3 since 2021. He is a former teacher and school administrator, nonprofit leader and small business owner.
Woodard, a Democratic state senator representing most of Durham County, has served his position in the 22nd district since January 2013. He previously served on the Durham City Council from 2005-2012. Since 1996, Woodard has been an administrator at Duke University and the Duke University Health System.
