Unexpectedly, DeDreana Freemana planning commission member and president of Durham’s InterNeighborhood Councilpolled ahead of longtime incumbent Cora Cole-McFadden, 48 percent to 43 percent. In the general election, we are once again endorsing Freeman.

Cole-McFadden was a trailblazer in city government, as the first African-American woman to head a city department. However, we believe Ward 1 deserves some fresh blood, if only because Freeman is such an outstanding candidate. A well-regarded community organizer and nonprofit administrator, Freeman was instrumental in helping her Golden Belt neighborhood receive a historic designation and has been an advocate for affordable housing. Given her background, we believe she would be an effective voice for responsible neighborhood development.