Chelsea Cook Selected to Serve City Council Ward 3

Chelsea Cook Selected to Serve City Council Ward 3

In the end, it was unanimous. But for a short while, the Durham City Council was deadlocked 3-3 on the prevailing candidate to finish Mayor Leonardo Williams’ term for Ward 3.

Chelsea Cook, an attorney with Legal Aid of North Carolina’s Durham Eviction Diversion Program, was tied with Durham lawyer Shelia Huggins. Cook had the support of Javiera Caballero, DeDreana Freeman, and Carl Rist, while Huggins had votes from Williams, Mayor Pro Tempore Mark-Anthony Middleton, and Nate Baker.

If the council couldn’t break the tie, the decision would’ve gone to voters for a special election.

But, ultimately, Baker changed his vote to support Cook in the interest of compromise.

“I want to thank all of the candidates for being crazy enough to want to serve publicly here,” Williams said as the meeting opened. “Durham is a special place. We are a hyperpolitical town. It’s a good thing how messy it can get sometimes. It’s good. I appreciate each of the candidates who care and love this city enough to want to serve your community.”

Once the tie was broken, Williams and Middleton also gave their votes to Cook, who is set to be sworn in during the Jan. 16 evening council meeting at 7 p.m.

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