The Durham City Council today announced four finalists for the Ward Three council seat that was left vacant when Leonardo Williams moved to the mayor’s chair last month.

The four finalists—Amanda Borer, a healthcare administrator; Chastan Swain, a law and policy advisor; Chelsea Cook, an attorney; and Shelia Huggins, an attorney who unsuccessfully ran for council last fall—will be interviewed in a special council session at City Hall on January 8. Supporters of each candidate will have the opportunity to weigh in during a public comment period on January 10 before the council makes a final decision at its meeting on January 16.

The council initially received 14 applications from residents vying for the Ward Three seat. At today’s work session, each sitting council member was able to vote for three to seven applicants to move to the finalist stage. Applicants with at least four votes from council were designated as finalists. Each of the four finalists received exactly four votes, except for Huggins, who received five. 

Update: Here are how the council members’ votes for applicants broke down:

Credit: Graphic by Nicole Pajor Moore

The applicants submitted extensive questionnaires, now posted on the city website, which outlined their experience and plans for the Bull City. Bike Durham, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, also reached out to the applicants with a questionnaire specifically focused on transit.

The following information is pulled solely from the applicant’s questionnaires, and has not been verified by INDY.

Amanda Borer is the administrative director for neurosciences at Duke Health. She holds degrees from Ohio State University and UNC-Chapel Hill and has volunteered on several healthcare-related boards in Durham: 

  • “I would like to serve on the Durham City Council because I believe that the local government, along with its people, hold the key to improving our community. Durham is in a pivotal point in its growth and I bring with me qualities that are beneficial for making a meaningful and positive impact. Serving on the Council also aligns with my commitment to community while promoting well-being and quality-of-life for all residents. My background in public health allows me to offer a unique perspective on the interconnectedness of various issues facing our community.”

Chastan Swain is a law and policy advisor for the state of North Carolina. He holds degrees from Appalachian State University, Pennsylvania State University, and UNC’s law school. He currently sits on several environment-focused boards in Durham: 

  • “Strong communities require maintenance and care, and a roadmap to a shared vision that reflects the needs and aspirations of all aspects of the community. Unfortunately, the maintenance and care can be infrequent and unequitable in its distribution, and shared visions can fray with social and political tensions. Durham’s current trajectory is positive and promising, but there are areas of the community that need outsized attention and proactive action right now to ensure that the City’s growth and progress is responsive and beneficial to all.”

Chelsea Cook is an attorney at Legal Aid of North Carolina. She holds degrees from UNC and Stanford. She has previously volunteered to support voter and civic engagement.

  • “As a city, we are facing many challenges, but, when I see the sheer number of people invested in this community, I am reminded of all the ways this city already leans in to community care and all the ways we could do better by each other. I am bringing not only my training and experience as an eviction defense attorney, but also my commitment to the hopes of the people I interact with every day. I am willing to fight for this community, to learn from this community, and to work at creative solutions to uplift this city I so love.”

Shelia Huggins is an attorney at her own firm. She holds degrees from NC State and UNC-Chapel Hill. She also ran for an at-large city council seat this year, dropping out after coming in fifth in the October primary. At the time, she indicated that she was interested in the Ward Three seat if Williams won his election and left it vacant.

  • “I want to serve because I believe we are in a crisis moment, and our city must have leadership in place that understands what’s at stake. I want to serve because I’m committed to using my experience as a former City employee and my legal and public administration education to help guide the development of our budget and our city during this time of growth…My service in the political arena spans decades and includes service in Durham and Wake counties, at the state level, and at the national level, where I currently serve on the Democratic National Committee.”

Reach Reporter Chase Pellegrini de Paur at [email protected]. Comment on this story at [email protected].

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Chase Pellegrini de Paur is a reporter for INDY, covering politics, education, and the delightful characters who make the Triangle special. He joined the staff in 2023 and previously wrote for The Ninth Street Journal.