Who's Running: Durham Mayor and City Council

Ashley has a bachelor's degree in communication and media studies from North Carolina State University and a masters of public administration from North Carolina Central University, where she is currently a graduate student.

Ashley is a technology manager at Wake Tech Community College whose work primarily concerns disability and accessibility in the Durham community.

Ashley Robbins - Ballotpedia

Ashley N. Robbins's campaign for Durham City Council Member, Ward 2, is her first entry into politics. 

As of July 31, 2025, Ashley N. Robbins did not have a website or any information online.

Economy

Advocates for disability and accessibility in public services.

- Advocates for disability and accessibility in public services.

Public Services

Housing & Urban Development

Public Safety

Transportation & Infrastructure

Education

Ashley N. Robbins

Buket Urgen

Mark-Anthony Middleton - Ballotpedia

Mark-Anthony Middleton is from Durham, North Carolina. He has a bachelor of arts in political science from North Carolina A&T State University and a master of divinity from Duke University Divinity School.

Mark-Anthony is a pastor and radio talk show host. He was the CEO and senior pastor of the Abundant Hope Christian Church and hosted the talk radio show At the Table. Before being elected to the City Council, he was part of the leadership team at Durham Congregations, Associations, and Neighborhoods (CAN).

Mark-Anthony is currently a member of the Durham City Council, representing Ward 2. He was first elected in 2017 and re-elected in 2021. His current term ends in 2025.

2021 Municipal Election at People's Alliance PAC

Supports the Ready Durham initiative, which aims to prepare citizens for higher-paying jobs through partnerships with educational institutions and vocational training programs.

Supports guaranteed income as a tool to reduce poverty and recidivism.

- Supports the Ready Durham initiative, which aims to prepare citizens for higher-paying jobs through partnerships with educational institutions and vocational training programs.
- Supports guaranteed income as a tool to reduce poverty and recidivism.

Supports expanding and making bus services free.

Supported creation of Immigrant Defense Fund and hiring of an Immigrant Services Coordinator.

- Supports expanding and making bus services free.
- Supported creation of Immigrant Defense Fund and hiring of an Immigrant Services Coordinator.

Proposes a long-term stabilization program to prevent economically challenged citizens from losing their homes and advocating for affordable housing initiatives.

Promotes density bonuses and developer contributions to the affordable housing fund.

- Proposes a long-term stabilization program to prevent economically challenged citizens from losing their homes and advocating for affordable housing initiatives.
- Promotes density bonuses and developer contributions to the affordable housing fund.

Supports the establishment of a Community Safety Department.

Calls for reintroducing violence interruption programs alongside unarmed crisis response teams.

- Supports the establishment of a Community Safety Department.
- Calls for reintroducing violence interruption programs alongside unarmed crisis response teams.

Supports a safe, affordable, and accessible transportation system that integrates light rail and bus services.

Backs zero emissions goal by 2050, electrification of city fleet, LEED buildings, and tree canopy restoration in underserved areas.

Supports modernizing stormwater and drainage systems, noting some infrastructure is over 100 years old.

Supports protected bike lanes in all new street construction and repairs.

- Supports a safe, affordable, and accessible transportation system that integrates light rail and bus services.
- Backs zero emissions goal by 2050, electrification of city fleet, LEED buildings, and tree canopy restoration in underserved areas.
- Supports modernizing stormwater and drainage systems, noting some infrastructure is over 100 years old.
- Supports protected bike lanes in all new street construction and repairs.

Supports vocational training in high schools and partnerships with corporations for internships and apprenticeships.

- Supports vocational training in high schools and partnerships with corporations for internships and apprenticeships.

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Mark-Anthony Middleton

Shanetta is from Gastonia, North Carolina. She attended Cedar Ridge High School in Hillsborough, North Carolina. She has a bachelor's degree and a master of public administration from North Carolina Central University.

Shanetta is a training manager at Supermajority, where she focuses on empowering women voters. She previously worked as a program manager at Lillian's List, which supports women candidates in North Carolina. She also held roles in electoral politics and issue organizing, including associate organizer with Durham CAN, organizing director with America Votes, and senior state organizing manager with the Black Voters Matter Fund.

Shanetta’s campaign for Durham City Council Member, Ward 2 is her first run for public office.

Supports creating diverse housing options for low and middle-income individuals, families, and first-generation college students.

- Supports creating diverse housing options for low and middle-income individuals, families, and first-generation college students.

Plans to prioritize addressing the basic needs of people and root causes of crime to ensure a decent quality of life for all residents.

Supports prioritizing "smart development that sustains our natural environment."

- Plans to prioritize addressing the basic needs of people and root causes of crime to ensure a decent quality of life for all residents.
- Supports prioritizing "smart development that sustains our natural environment."

Believes in addressing root causes of crime to improve public safety and reduce gun violence.

- Believes in addressing root causes of crime to improve public safety and reduce gun violence.

Plans to address infrastructure needs as the city grows.

- Plans to address infrastructure needs as the city grows.

As of July 31, 2025, Shanetta Burris’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Shanetta Burris

- City council members work together to set and implement city policy. 
- The city council is tasked with ensuring the health, comfort, and safety of residents of the city.
- City council members work with the mayor to govern city departments, such as the police department, fire department, transportation department, and parks and recreation department. 
- City council members represent either the whole city or residents of a specific district. 