[SoDu Alert] Durham 2025 Election: Incumbents Advance, But Primary Brings Surprises

All incumbents in the 2025 Durham Municipal Election are moving on to the general election, but Tuesday’s primary brought a few surprises in key races across the city.

In the mayoral race, Leonardo Williams and Anjanee Bell advanced easily, with unofficial results showing Williams earning more than 55% of the vote.

In Ward 1, Matt Kopac narrowly edged incumbent DeDreana Freeman, finishing just 451 votes ahead in a tight contest that will continue into the general election.

In Ward 3, incumbent Chelsea Cook - appointed to the seat rather than elected - held a commanding lead over challenger Diana Medoff, solidifying her position ahead of November.

But in Ward 2, which covers much of South and Southeast Durham, incumbent Mark-Anthony Middleton trailed challenger Shanetta Burris by nearly 10 percentage points, making that race one to watch.

All of these candidates will appear on the ballot for the general election.

🗓️ Key dates:

• Voter registration deadline: Friday, Oct. 10 at 5 p.m.
• Early voting begins: Thursday, Oct. 16 at 8:30 a.m.
• Election Day: Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025

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