PA PAC Press Release - Endorsements for October Primary and November General Municipal Elections 2025
PA PAC Endorsement Meeting Held Virtually - Over 230 members meet to decide - Leonardo Williams endorsed for mayor; Matt Kopac endorsed for City Council Ward 1, Shanetta Burris for City Council Ward 2, and Chelsea Cook for City Council Ward 3.
(Durham, N.C.) On Tuesday evening, August 12, members of the People’s Alliance PAC in Durham met virtually to debate and decide which candidates running for municipal office in 2025 would get the group’s endorsement. Over 230 people attended the virtual meeting.
PA PAC Press Release - Endorsements for October Primary and November General Municipal Elections 2025
PA PAC Endorsement Meeting Held Virtually - Over 230 members meet to decide - Leonardo Williams endorsed for mayor; Matt Kopac, Shanetta Burris, and Chelsea Cook endorsed for city council.
(Durham, N.C.) On Tuesday evening, August 12, members of the People’s Alliance PAC in Durham met virtually to debate and decide which candidates running for municipal office in 2025 would get the group’s endorsement. Over 230 people attended the virtual meeting.
PA PAC is a political action committee that shares a common vision and membership with the progressive People’s Alliance in Durham. In recent years membership in the People’s Alliance has swelled and the PAC’s influence in elections has grown. In advance of this year’s endorsement meeting, the PAC solicited responses to questionnaires from candidates running for mayor and city council. PAC volunteers also interviewed the vast majority of the candidates and then shared their recommendations at the endorsement meeting.
Endorsement decisions are made by the PAC membership at a meeting in advance of elections every year. At the meeting, PAC committees who have studied the candidates make recommendations, but ultimately the endorsement is decided by a vote of the members after rigorous debate. During Sunday’s meeting, many members rose virtually to speak during the debate over these endorsements. The meeting ran late into the evening, with many members staying until the very last endorsement decision was made. Candidates value the PA PAC endorsement and work hard within transparent PAC rules to make sure their supporters in the organization get to the meeting. PAC members attend to persuade and be persuaded.
The People’s Alliance endorsements are as follows:
Mayor Leonardo Williams received the endorsement for Mayor of Durham. The membership believes he has made good use of his time on City Council, learning how to effectively enact change that benefits the Durham community while working towards consensus and coalition building with people he does not always agree with on difficult policy decisions. As Mayor, this skill will be necessary to recenter and focus our next council on the work needed to ensure Durham remains home for all of our residents.
Leo continues to demonstrate a willingness to forge consensus and is best positioned to bring our governing board to the articulation of a shared vision for governance that meets the moment Durham is facing, including legislative attacks, lack of affordable housing, and the need for a regional multi-modal transit plan. Leo continues to build relationships, adjust his strategy and tactics and influence the culture that enables our city to move forward.
Matt Kopac received one of three endorsements for Durham City Council. PA members spoke to his strengths as an active listener and cited his experience in environmental advocacy and local governance. Specifically, Matt has spearheaded efforts towards climate neutrality and pro-social programming for Durham’s youth. Matt will be a valuable and invigorating voice on council and the People’s Alliance PAC membership believes that he will champion progressive change in our city.
Shanetta Burris received one of three endorsements for Durham City Council. It is exceptional to see a candidate that has such a strong track record in grassroots advocacy and racial justice work. Members who live in Ward 2 expressed hope and excitement that Shanetta will be able to represent their interests and concerns and the interests and values of all Durhamites while on council. The membership felt strongly that Shanetta’s consistent and bold approach to advocacy and efforts to amplify the experiences of the most marginalized in our community aligns with the values of People’s Alliance PAC.
Councilmember Chelsea Cook received one of three endorsements for Durham City Council. Chelsea has dedicated years of service to the wellbeing of Durhamites through her work on affordable housing and evictions with Legal Aid. Members highlighted Chelsea’s demonstrated commitment to fighting Durham’s housing crisis in their work on council as well as their ability to work together and reach consensus with other council members and community stakeholders. This spirit of inclusivity and connection is representative of the goals of the PA PAC.
These progressive candidates are the most qualified and best prepared to serve the people of Durham. PA PAC is dedicated to helping them win.
The PAC’s support of its slate of candidates only begins with the endorsement. PA PAC campaigns for its candidates with organizing, events, mailings, social media, canvassing and poll work. This work is managed by a committee of volunteer PAC coordinators elected by the membership. Members donate money to support the PAC campaign and volunteer for poll work and the many other tasks that are necessary to win elections.
PA PAC will prepare and distribute more information about the candidates as the elections draw nearer. Watch www.peoplesalliancepac.org for more information.
For more information about People’s Alliance and its vision, visit www.durhampa.org.
Contact: Nana Asante-Smith, PA PAC Coordinator (608) 512-9758.
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