Greensboro's African American Community Newspaper since 1967
Primary elections wrapped up late Tuesday night as Greensboro voters made their voices heard. With 22,208 ballots cast (10.53 percent) out of 210,900 registered voters, the city is set for its upcoming Tuesday, Nov. 4 General Election.
The mayoral race was the most closely watched contest, with four candidates vying to replace outgoing Mayor Nancy Vaughan, who did not seek reelection. Current At-Large Councilmember and Mayor Pro Tem Marikay Abuzuaiter, and former Mayor Robbie Perkins advanced to the General Election, earning 39.91 percent and 32.51 percent of the vote, respectively.
Eliminated from the race were Greensboro attorney Mark Cummings, who received 17.83 percent, and Akir Khan, director of a local nonprofit, who garnered 9.75 percent of the vote.
Perkins, who previously served 18 years on the city council, expressed concern over the low voter turnout but said he is motivated to engage more residents before November.
“Voting is a privilege, and we’re not exercising that privilege to the extent that we should,” said Perkins. He pointed to ongoing issues such as housing, infrastructure, and public safety as key priorities. “We’re going to show this community that we can be transparent, accountable, and communicate to citizens all the good things happening. You run the race until the finish line. The finish line is November 4. This is about getting a positive message to voters that we have the leadership characteristics to take this city from good to great.”
Abuzuaiter said she was grateful for the community’s continued trust.
“I’m pleased and honored that the community feels that way about me,” she said. “I work hard because I want to, and I think the community knows that I want every resident in Greensboro to be thriving.”
She emphasized the city’s current momentum and cautioned against disrupting it.
“We are on a trajectory for success right now, and I don’t want anything to happen for us to lose that. I don’t think anyone can just jump in and know what we’ve been doing over the last 12 years,” Abuzuaiter said, referencing major employers such as Jet Zero and Toyota bringing jobs to the area, along with long-term urban planning projects like the Greensboro Urban Loop and the city’s robust higher education network.
The At-Large City Council race also drew a crowded field, with ten candidates competing for six available spots in the General Election. Incumbent Hugh Holston led the pack with 15.79 percent of the vote, followed closely by Denise Roth with 14.21 percent and Richard Beard with 13.77 percent. Incumbent Jamilla Pinder earned 11.91 percent, community organizer Irving Allen finished with 10.99 percent, and former councilmember T. Dianne Bellamy-Small received 9.35 percent.
The remaining four candidates, Carla Franklin, Michael McKinney, Latoya Gethers, and Samuel Hawkins, were eliminated after finishing below the threshold for the top six positions.
In District 2, Cecile Crawford and Monica Walker advanced to the General Election after receiving 49.35 percent and 24.97 percent of the vote, respectively. The remaining candidates were Jim Kee (19 percent), Irish Good (4.86 percent), and Anthony Wesley (1.72 percent).
In District 3, incumbent Zack Matheny led with 49.71 percent and will face April Parker, who secured 47.60 percent. The third candidate, Mohammad Bashir, received 2.69 percent of the vote.
With no incumbent in District 4, Adam Marshall took a commanding lead with 64.65 percent of the vote and will face Nicky Smith, who received 31.52 percent. Steve Ignac finished with 3.84 percent and was eliminated from the race.
Districts 1 and 5 did not hold primaries since fewer than three candidates filed to run. In District 1, incumbent Sharon Hightower will face challenger Crystal Black, while in District 5, incumbent Tammi Thurm will face Jeannette Davidson-Mayer in the November 4 General Election.
Early voting for the General Election begins Thursday, October 16, and runs through Saturday, November 1, 2025.
Marikay Abuzuaiter – 8,563, 39.91%
Robbie Perkins – 6,976, 32.51%
Mark Cummings – 3,825, 17.83%
Akir Khan – 2,091, 9.75%
Hugh Holston (incumbent) – 8,714, 15.79%
Denise Roth – 7,841, 14.21%
Richard Beard – 7,598, 13.77%
Jamilla Pinder (incumbent) – 6,569, 11.91%
Irving Allen – 6,064, 10.99%
Dianne Bellamy-Small – 5,159, 9.35%
(Eliminated) Carla Franklin, Michael McKinney, Latoya Gethers, Samuel Hawkins – below top six
District 2
Cecile Crawford – 1,178, 49.53%
Monica Walker – 596, 24.97%
Jim Kee – 456, 19.00%
Irish Good – 116, 4.86%
Anthony Wesley – 1.72%
District 3
Zack Matheny (incumbent) – 3529, 49.71%
April Parker – 3,379, 47.60%
Mohammad Bashir – 191, 2.69%
Adam Marshall – 4,078, 64.65%
Nicky Smith – 1988, 31.52%
Steve Ignac – 242, 3.84%
Districts 1 & 5
(No primary held; fewer than three candidates filed)
District 1: Sharon Hightower (incumbent) vs. Crystal Black
District 5: Tammi Thurm (incumbent) vs. Jeannette Davidson-Mayer
