2025 election results: Triangle voters toss out several incumbents
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A polling place in Durham on Nov. 4. Photo: Zachery Eanes/Axios
Residents across the Triangle — except for those in Raleigh — voted in municipal elections on Tuesday, ousting several incumbents and shifting the makeup of councils across the region.
Why it matters: The winners in these often low-turnout races will guide growth and development, set property tax rates, and spend on things like parks, policing and roads.
Here are some of the highlights from election night:
Durham
The big picture: Durham voters mixed things up, keeping two incumbents and choosing two new faces.
- Mayor: Leonardo Williams (57.6%) was elected to a second term, defeating Anjanée Bell (42.0%).
- Ward 1: Matt Kopac (51.9%) narrowly beat incumbent DeDreana Freeman (47.9%).
- Ward 2: Shanetta Burris (68.6%) easily defeated incumbent Mark-Anthony Middleton (31.2%).
- Ward 3: Incumbent Chelsea Cook (74.5%) collected the most votes of any candidate to win over Diana Medoff (25.9%).
Between the lines: Voters did not go with any one slate of candidates, deciding instead to keep the existing City Council voting blocs in place.
- Williams, an unapologetically pro-business and pro-development mayor, ran alongside his close ally Middleton, who lost to a newcomer after eight years in office.
- And Cook and Freeman campaigned for each other — both presenting themselves as activists willing to stand up to developers — but Cook coasted to victory in her first election since being appointed last year, while Freeman lost the seat she's held since 2017.
Cary
The intrigue: Cary was already set to see one major change on its town council this election, after longtime town council member Jack Smith decided not to run.
- However, town council member Jennifer Robinson, who has served on town council since 1999, is also set to depart.
- All Cary candidates endorsed by the Wake County Democratic Party won over candidates endorsed by the Wake County Republican Party.
At-large: Carissa Johnson (65.0%) bested Marjorie K. Eastman (34.8%).
District A: Brittany Richards (59.2%), ousted longtime incumbent Robinson (40.7%).
District C: In a race with no incumbent, Bella Huang (64.8%) beat Renee Miller (35.0%).
Morrisville
Zoom in: Having served as mayor since 2017, TJ Cawley faced stiff competition in this year's election from Satish Garimella, a longtime town councilor and Morrisville's mayor pro tem.
- But Cawley was able to hold off Garimella and Richard Reinhart, winning 63.9% of the vote compared to Garimella (30.9%) and Reinhart (4.9%).
Wake Forest
Catch up quick: Wake Forest has a new mayor after the town and its mayor of two decades recently stirred controversy by introducing, then withdrawing, a proclamation celebrating LGBTQ+ history.
- Ben Clapsaddle (70.6%) defeated Vivian Jones (29.1%), who was first elected in 2001.
- Jones is registered as unaffiliated, but has long voted in Republican primaries. The Wake County GOP did not endorse her in 2025, though Wake County Democrats did endorse Clapsaddle.
Town of Wendell
Fast-growing Wendell voted in two new town board members.
- Dustin Ingalls (19.7% of the vote); Deans Eatman, an incumbent (19.1%) and Kate Benson (16.8%) were the top three vote-getters, and will serve on the town board.
- BJ Barham, of the band American Aquarium, narrowly missed out with 14.9% of the vote.
Find the results of other municipal elections in the Triangle here.