Getting local with it

let's break down these enraging endorsements from the IndyWeek

I hope readers who aren’t local to Durham will bear with me because holy wow. I need to talk about local elections.

Here in Durham, we have upcoming primaries (Oct. 7) and then the general election (Nov. 4) for three city council seats and the mayor.

Our city council is six seats plus the mayor, for seven total.

We have wards, which means a candidate needs to live in their ward to run for that seat (unless it’s an at-large), but voters city-wide elect all seats.

Our independent weekly “alternative” newspaper is the IndyWeek, aka the Indy. Who they endorse matters.

We also have powerful historical PACs, including the People’s Alliance and the Durham Committee on the Affairs of Black People.

When I moved to Durham 24 years ago, I looked carefully at these three sources of endorsements, and almost always voted as they indicated.

No longer.

The historic PACs have lost all credibility in my eyes. The money seems to be coming from all over, funneled through PACs. They’ve become shills for developers who want to get rich building unaffordable apartments (or storage facilities, until they can build apartments) in Durham.

And you can’t swing a cat by the tail around here without hitting another new, well-funded, real-estate-interest group, popping up out of nowhere to back certain candidates. (I..e. certain pro-development at any cost candidates.)

The money and the mudslinging are outrageous.

This election cycle has been particularly wild.

The stakes are high.

We — Durhamites who are genuinely concerned with the well-being of the people, as opposed to lining our pockets vis-a-vis rich developers — can flip the council this year.

We have the opportunity to slow down or even reverse the rampant, outrageous development and gentrification that are displacing, ignoring, and basically selling out Durham.

Which brings me to the Indy's endorsements.

Y’all. These endorsements are some next-level, misreading-the-moment, out-of-touch horseshit.

Especially when you think about how the Indy just published a story about yet ANOTHER shadowy, well-funded real estate organization (“Yes for Durham”) endorsing developer-friendly candidates … and then the Indy endorses the same folks.

Folks who are clearly willing to sell Durham out — with the notable exception of Chelsea Cook, who the Indy endorsed, but who is NOT selling Durham out.

I get that the candidates stepped back from “Yes for Durham” after the Indy’s story.

And yet. What does it say about the Indy’s allegiances and interests, when they endorse most of the same candidates as these shady, well funded, dark money, pro-gentrification, pro-development-at-any-cost groups?

Let’s go point by point.

I’ll start with City Council.

City Council, Ward I

Despite her incredible record of hard work and service, The Indy does not endorse incumbent DeDreana Freeman.

DeDreana Freeman, courtesy of the candidate’s website

Why, you may ask.

The Indy says we should not vote for DeDreana because of “public disagreements involving her.”

Note the passive voice: “Public disagreements involving her.”

“Involving” her. Not originating from her.

Not only is this a wild reason not to vote for someone, it incentivizes bad actors to stir up more shit against people they don’t like.

Blaming Freeman for something that she did not start and cannot control shows us the impossible standards and outright misogynoir that Black women on city council are subjected to, over and over and over.

Let’s please not forget that the Indy reported on some of these “public disagreements,” including the ridiculous accusation that she punched two council members. She did not. She did not. That has been publicly disproven.

To anyone paying attention then or now, it seems pretty clear that the incumbent mayor (Leo Williams) was the anonymous source spreading this b.s. about Freeman throwing punches.

I don’t claim to be an expert on all this. But it’s really not hard. He and his buddies tried to do the same thing to Monique Holsey-Hyman. They just about ruined her life with their allegations of corruption. These accusations, too, have been completely disproven.

Look behind any of these nasty rumors (or, as the Indy puts it, “public disagreements”) and you can immediately spot possible motives behind them. And I’m including the recent, infamous “poke,” which is the latest anti-DeDreana drama.

Is DeDreana perfect?

Uh, are you?

Yeah. I didn’t think so.

It’s almost like Black women aren’t allowed to be imperfect, or vote their conscience (instead of giving the mayor every vote he wants), or show a whole range of human emotion, including anger.

Noted.

Here’s a hint that I didn’t make up: When allegations get thrown against Black women on city council (or running for city council) — follow the money.

What votes are coming up? Whose pockets are deep? Who is voting against developers’ interests?

But sure.

Let’s just cast aside all the excellent work DeDreana has done on council. Let’s ignore the way she has maintained her dignity and continued to serve despite all the misogynist, anti-Black-woman bullshit she has been subjected to. Let’s agree with the Indy that we should all just be like, “Nah, too much drama here. It’s time to move on.”

Wait, no. Let’s don’t do that.

Let’s push back and say that Black women are not to blame for misogynoir against them and lies told about them.

Let’s push back and hold the people who spread these lies accountable, instead of incentivizing them to spread more lies.

So OK.

Who does the Indy endorse?

Matt Kopak — and they use racially encoded language to do so.

Matt Kopak, courtesy of the candidate’s website

Says the Indy, “Matt Kopak has a classic résumé for public office.”

Look at those two words, apart and together: classic. résumé. What do you picture when you think of those words?

Wonder what makes his résumé so “classic,” as opposed to an effective, beloved, hardworking incumbent with years upon years of experience?

Hm.

And quelle surprise, no mention of the “public disagreements” about Kopak - the groups endorsing him, or his team. This includes some shady stuff on Reddit trying to stir up shit against … you guessed it … DeDreana Freeman, which seems to have been posted by someone on Kopak’s team. (But they haven’t copped to it. And I have no idea if Kopak knows.)

But rumors should not hold Kopak back from council. That would be unfair.

Rumors should hold Freeman back from council. Got it.

WARD II:

I agree with not endorsing Mark Anthony Middleton. But let’s dig in …

Quoth the Indy: “The frequency with which Middleton’s votes contradict constituents’ positions (and in the case of SCAD and the ceasefire [in Gaza] resolution, historic community opposition) is troubling. His near-universal and typically swift support for development cases raises questions about whether he could push for more community benefits.

“Equally concerning is the tenor Middleton has at times taken when responding to public commenters at council meetings, particularly in instances when he’s characterized them as either uninformed about municipal governance or activists who don’t represent everyday residents.”

Agreed.

AND THESE EXACT SAME CONCERNS APPLY TO LEO WILLIAMS, WHO THE INDY ENDORSES FOR MAYOR.

Let me repeat: THESE CONCERNS APPLY EQUALLY TO LEO WILLIAMS, who the Indy endorses for mayor.

So who does the Indy endorse?

Well, the Indy does NOT endorse Shanetta Burris for Ward II.

Shanetta Burris, photo courtesy of her Instagram page

Why don’t they endorse her?

Did she do something troubling? Are there red flags? Does she not have a “classic” enough résumé?

The Indy’s reason: “our research hasn’t convinced us she will have more productive relationships with council members.”

Whut.

“More productive relationships”?

More productive than whom? Freeman? Middleton?

And productive relationships with which council members, exactly?

What “research,” praytell, is the Indy claiming to have conducted?

Genuinely, let us know.

Because without details, I’mma read between the lines.

I'mma assume the Indy means Leo and Mark Anthony. Because as far as I can tell, and as far as I’ve ever heard, DeDreana has good, productive relationships with every other member of council. It’s just Leo and Mark Anthony who don’t like her.

We can reasonably conclude, then, that the Indy’s “research” amounts to: “our endorsed mayoral candidate doesn’t like her. He doesn’t think she’ll vote the way he wants.”

This is egregious and enraging.

But that’s not all.

The Indy also does not endorse Ashley Robbins for Ward II. They make no endorsement.

Ashley Robbins, courtesy of the candidate’s website

Why?

Because the Indy says Ashley “appears more focused on making a statement than actually seeking the office of city council.”

And this opinion is based on what, exactly?

Vibes?

Preconceived notions of what a “classic résumé” looks like?

Because Robbins has a ton of community experience.

And I’ve witnessed Robbins work their ass off actually seeking this council seat.

** Full disclosure: I think Ashley’s freaking amazing and I am volunteering to help her campaign - she is not accepting donations or seeking PAC endorsements. It’s as grassroots a campaign as you can get.

AND if you’re paying attention, Ashley’s getting public support like whoa at many candidate forums.

Plus, she’s doing a ton of unpaid investigatory reporting, often tagging the Indy to cover the story, including “Yes for Durham,” which the Indy covered without citing Ashley’s work.

For the Indy to proclaim a judgment about Robbin’s “seriousness” about being on council is, at the very, very least, condescending and presumptuous. And that’s me being generous here.

Ward III:

Yay! I wholeheartedly agree with the Indy’s endorsement of Chelsea Cook.

Chelsea Cook. Photo courtesy of the candidate’s website.

This is one seat they got right, out of four.

Listen to why they say they endorse Chelsea, and keep this in mind for when we talk about mayor.

“Cook's instincts for both listening and leading were exemplified by her first action on council introducing a resolution calling for a ceasefire in Gaza-not a safe choice for a newly appointed council member, but one that reflected clear constituent demand.”

Got that? Chelsea’s support of a ceasefire resolution in Gaza reflected clear constituent demand.

Mayor

Oh my word. I can’t even.

They endorse wildly unpopular incumbent Leo Williams.

Leo Williams, courtesy of the Durham County Board of Elections website

Ok.

So remember how the Indy has major concerns about Middleton’s divisiveness and condescension, and that’s why they just can’t bring themselves to endorse him?

“The frequency with which Middleton’s votes contradict constituents’ positions (and in the case of SCAD and the ceasefire [in Gaza] resolution, historic community opposition) is troubling. His near-universal and typically swift support for development cases raises questions about whether he could push for more community benefits.

“Equally concerning is the tenor Middleton has at times taken when responding to public commenters at council meetings, particularly in instances when he’s characterized them as either uninformed about municipal governance or activists who don’t represent everyday residents.”

They … don’t have those concerns about Leo.

Even though Leo does all those things, votes the same way, supports development after development.

What the what?

Remember the Indy said Chelsea’s support of a ceasefire resolution for Gaza “reflected clear constituent demand”?

Leo voted no on that resolution. Along with Middleton.

How can this endorsement be serious?

The Indy says, “The mayor needs to be able to bring people into the tent and build consensus. The mayor needs to be visible and energetic, a cheerleader for Durham.”

Er. Whut.

Build consensus?

Have you heard Williams at council meetings?

Or in interviews?

Or … ever?

He gaslights, baits, and condescends to colleagues constantly. He talks down to constituents constantly.

He is in no way building consensus.

He voted against the ceasefire resolution for Gaza - the very resolution that the Indy says “reflected clear constituent demand.” He continues to bang the drum for the debunked and unwanted Shotspotter program. He approves unpopular development after development. Apparently, though, this does not raise “questions about whether he could push for more community benefits.”

He’s by far the most divisive and dismissive mayor I’ve seen in my (24) years in Durham.

Literally, ask anyone in these streets.

They’ll tell you about “the tenor [Leo] has at times taken when responding to public commenters at council meetings…”

They’ll tell you about the way Leo recently dismissed Black parents’ concerns about youth, public safety, and the need for more and better youth activities by blaming Black parents and saying a glib, “Sign them up for band.”

They’ll tell you about him snapping at Council members Baker and Cook to stop asking for clarifications on development details and just use "common sense."

They’ll tell you about Leo suddenly limiting the public’s speaking time from 3 minutes each to ONE minute, in February 2025, when 89 folks wanted to speak on rezoning on Pickett Road / annexation in Moriah Ridge.

Leo was tired that night, I guess.

Tired of listening to constituents. He just wanted to approve the dang development.

What a way to build consensus!

Williams calls himself a capitalist, and has said, “I love gentrification”, despite overwhelming resident concerns about displacement, cost of living, housing affordability.

But don’t worry about that.

Leo says that capitalism and unchecked development allow small businesses, like his restaurants, to grow.

And grow his restaurants have, during his mayoral term, expanding to multiple locations. Have there been sweetheart deals in these locations? (Genuine question.)

And yet … recently Zweli’s Brightleaf location has shuttered indefinitely. Where are the follow-up questions about that?

Rampant development and capitalism are so good for Durham that … the mayor’s own restaurant had to close?

I don’t wish bad fortune on anyone, but a little transparency would be nice here.

There’s so much more I could say, so many more examples.

But honestly, it’s Friday afternoon and it’s beautiful out, and I’ve got candidates’ flyers to post and yard signs to stake.

Thanks for hanging in there with me.

If you’re wondering who Unruly Quaker is endorsing, in the primaries I’ll be voting for:

• Ward I: DeDreana Freeman

• Ward II: Ashley Robbins

• Ward III: Chelsea Cook

• Mayor: Rafiq Zaidi.

We’ll check back in after the primaries.

Local elections matter a lot.

Hope you are safe and well, wherever local is to you.

XOXO