2025 Durham mayoral election
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November 4, 2025
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The 2025 Durham mayoral election was held on November 4, 2025, to elect the mayor of Durham, North Carolina for a two-year term. The nonpartisan blanket primary was held on October 7, with Anjanée Bell advancing to the general election alongside incumbent mayor Leonardo Williams, who was then re-elected.[1]
Candidates
Advanced to general
- Leonardo Williams, incumbent mayor[2]
- Anjanée Bell, state parks arts coordinator and daughter of former mayor Bill Bell[3]
Eliminated in primary
- Pablo Friedmann, administrator for Durham Public Schools[4]
- Lloyd Phillips[4]
- Rafiq Zaidi, imam[4][5]
Withdrawn
Endorsements
Leonardo Williams
- State legislators
- Wib Gulley, former mayor (1985–1989) and state senator from the 13th district (1993–2003)[7]
- Local officials
- Steve Schewel, former mayor (2017–2021)[7]
- Cora Cole-McFadden, former city councilmember from Ward 1 (2001–2007)[7]
- Farad Ali, former at-large city councilmember (2007–2011)[7]
- Charlie Reece, former at-large city councilmember (2015–2022)[7]
- Labor unions
- Ironworkers Local 848[7]
- Organizations
- Newspapers
Anjanée Bell
- Local officials
- Bill Bell, former mayor (2001–2017) (candidate's father)[9]
- Elaine O'Neal, former mayor (2021–2023)[9]
- Individuals
- Clay Aiken, television personality and runner-up of American Idol season 2[9]
- Labor unions
Results
| Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Leonardo Williams (incumbent) | 13,924 | 55.35% | |
| Anjanée Bell | 7,492 | 29.78% | |
| Pablo Friedmann | 3,099 | 12.32% | |
| Lloyd Phillips | 329 | 1.31% | |
| Rafiq Zaidi | 313 | 1.24% | |
| Total votes | 25,157 | 100.00% | |
General election
Incumbent mayor Leonardo Williams and Anjanée Bell advanced to the November 4 general election after placing first and second in the nonpartisan blanket primary, with 55.35% and 29.78% of the vote respectively.
Results
| Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Leonardo Williams (incumbent) | 26,402 | 57.55% | |
| Anjanée Bell | 19,290 | 42.05% | |
| Write-in | 187 | 0.41% | |
| Total votes | 45,879 | 100.00% | |