Data collected by University of Oklahoma Associate
Professor Andrea Benjamin tells a story regarding a potential
radical shift in Durham politics. For more than a decade, winning municipal elections
is the result of valuable endorsements from People’s Alliance, The Durham Committee
on the Affairs of Black People, The Friends of Durham, and the Indy Week - a
local newspaper.
The influence of local political action committees has
expanded to include the Durham Association of Educators, Durham4All, and other
emerging political players. The power of the PACs has taken on a life of its
own, making Benjamin’s thesis – the influence of endorsements in deciding elections
– the most critical work of a local campaign team.
It’s only a primary, but could Durham be amid a radical
shift?
Referendum of Political Action Committees
Many residents express lingering concerns regarding candidate
endorsements. The legitimacy of People Alliance’s endorsement of Javier Cabellero
for Mayor, Marion Teniade Johnson for City Council Ward 1, and A.J. Williams
for City Council for Ward 3 is perceived to be the outcome of a takeover.
Concerns include the influence of voters who don’t reside in Durham, and an
agenda packed with the platforms of Durham4All, Durham Beyond Policing,
Southern Vision Alliance, and Durham Association of Educators.
The dominance of People’s Alliance over the Durham
Committee on the Affairs of Black People shifted when IndyWeek broke with a
longstanding tradition by not endorsing the same slate as People’s Alliance.
The IndyWeek endorsement singles, for many, a divide within the ranks of Durham’s
white progressive community.
Balanced Approach to Law Enforcement
When Cabellero, Jillian Johnson and Charlie Reece united to
campaign as the Bull City Together Team, it came with a platform that includes
massive police reform. Many voters’ express concerns that a disagreement regarding
funding to support additional police impacted Police Chief C.J Davis’s decision
to accept the job as head of the Memphis, TN police department.
Efforts to defund Durham’s police department is met with
resistance during an uptick in gun violence. Cabellero, Johnson and Reece are
viewed as a team determined to add Marion T. Johnson and A.J. Williams to
abolish the police, a goal communicated by members of Durham Beyond Policing.
Meanwhile, O’Neal, a respected former district and superior
court judge, is trusted by many to have the skills and experience to lead balanced
conversations regarding criminal justice reform.
Checks, Balances and Conflicts of Interest
Many Durham voters express concerns regarding a city
council without disagreement.
DeDreana Freeman, Ward 1 incumbent, is criticized for raising questions related to accountability in her votes regarding affordable housing. Freeman’s concerns are consistent with many of her constituents.
“DeDreana Freeman was targeted by Jillian [Johnson] precisely
for her independence and for telling the truth,” Sherri Zann Rosenthal, a
former deputy city attorney, posted recently on Facebook. Rosenthall was
assigned to handle issues within the Housing and Community Development
Department. “DeDreana voted against the so-called Expanding Housing Choices ordinance
and was the only member of the Council to do so. That ordinance was wrapped in
the cloak of anti-racism and affordable housing but actually did nothing for
either of those goals.”
As part of her work as a longtime senior city attorney, Rosenthall legally structured the city’s affordable housing and loan programs. Rosenthall says the ordinance approved by the city council opened historic neighborhoods to developers.
“Jillian had a vested interest in the passage of this
ordinance, as she planned to build a rental duplex,” Rosenthal continued. “The
duplex plan was already submitted to the Historic Preservation Commission (HPC)
prior to the Council and Commission vote to pass the HPC ordinance. She didn’t
disclose her personal interest, and she didn’t recuse herself.”
Rosenthal says Steve Schewel is part of a real estate LLC
with family members, and Vernetta Alston formed a real estate LLC while still a
member of the Durham City Council. Alston is currently shown in the North
Carolina Secretary of State database as being associated with three real estate
develop entities. Alston currently serves as a member of the North Carolina House of Representatives
The Rev-elution reporting on the Participatory Budgeting
process lifted concerns related to Jillian Johnson’s influence in the process. Johnson
championed Participatory Budgeting and served as the city council representative
on the steering committee. A.J. Williams, a candidate for city council, serves
as the Director of Incubation and Ideation Labs for Southern Vision Alliance
where Johnson is the Co-Chair of the Board of Directors and the former Director
of Operations and Chief Financial Officer. Williams is a member of the steering
committee.
Marion T. Johnson, a candidate for city council, serves as
the Chair of the Participatory Budgeting Steering Committee after working as a
member of Johnson’s campaign team. Susan E. Goodman, the mother of Paul
Bendich, Johnson’s partner, also served on the steering committee. The Participatory
Budgeting Committee awarded Southern Vision Alliance, the nonprofit organization
where Johnson serves as co-chair, $50,000, the maximum allowed during the Phase
2, 2021 budget cycle.
Commitment to Racial Equity
Many residents point to O’Neal’s work as the Co-Chair of Durham’s
Racial Equity Task Force and Freeman’s work as Co-Chair of Episcopalians United
Against Racism. Both groups offer convincing leadership before and after Durham
County Commissioners failed to extend the contract of former County Manager Wendell Davis.
During a period of increased racial hostility, some members
of the Durham City Council publicly supported Durham County Commissioner Heidi
Carter after Davis wrote a letter addressing comments that he perceived to be
racist. When Cabellero supported the decision not to extend Davis’ contract,
based on an assessment that he failed to support public education, many Black
residents viewed her comments to be an intrusion into county government
affairs.
Notwithstanding Cabellero’s perspective regarding Davis’
failure to support education funding, many local voters are seeking a leadership
style that advances the recommendations of the Durham Racial Equity Task Force report.
Are Durham Voters Making a Statement?
Benjamin’s statement in part 1 holds true. There isn’t
enough evidence to formulate a conclusion. Things could shift over the next thirty
days, when votes are cast in the General Election on November 2.
What we do know is close to 70% of Durham voters supported
O’Neal, Freeman, and Middleton in the primary. Will that translate in the
General Election? Will Durham voters select A.J. Williams, who is supported by
Johnson and Cabellero, or Leonardo Williams, who is campaigning with Freeman
and Middleton.
One thing is clear. This is a clash of opposing ideas like
Durham has never seen during my time in the city.
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