Greensboro's African American Community Newspaper since 1967
The Municipal General Election wrapped up late Tuesday night as Greensboro voters made their voices heard. With 52,073 ballots cast out of 244,982 registered voters, the city is set to welcome several new faces to the Greensboro City Council.
The mayoral race was the most closely watched contest, coming down to incumbent Marikay Abuzuaiter, who secured 60 percent of the vote over former mayor Robbie Perkins, who received 38 percent.
Abuzuaiter, who has served on the council since 2011 in an at-large seat, said her campaign focused on maintaining Greensboro’s progress in economic investment, housing, and job creation.
“It’s about continuing the work that I’ve already been doing,” said Abuzuaiter. “All of the things I’m doing, not only locally, but regionally, have helped move Greensboro forward. We’ve made great strides, and we need to keep that momentum going. Greensboro doesn’t need to become stagnant.”
She also highlighted her role as vice chair of the Piedmont Triad Regional Council, noting that becoming mayor will allow her to continue the regional work she’s been involved in through various boards and commissions.
“I think people have seen my work with the city over the years. I’m accessible, I care about what’s happening in every part of our city,” she said.
Reflecting on her political journey, Abuzuaiter mentioned she was first elected alongside Mayor Nancy Vaughan and the late Yvonne J. Johnson, Greensboro’s first Black mayor, as one of the three at-large representatives at the time.
“I learned a lot about leadership from them, especially the importance of building consensus so that everyone feels heard. That’s a very important part of city government,” she said.
Perkins conceded before the final precincts were reported. Although disappointed by the outcome, he said he was proud of the campaign he had run.
“We’ve been working on this for 16 months and I enjoyed every bit of it,” said Perkins. “I love campaigning, I love politics. I think I understand the issues the city faces, and I wish the new council and mayor the best of luck and much success.”
He added that he does not plan to seek public office again in the near future.
“It’s time for me to go back to the private sector and do what I do best — commercial real estate — and continue making Greensboro a better place, just not as mayor,” he said.
The at-large race came down to the top three vote-getters in a field of six candidates.
Denise T. Roth, former city manager and interim CEO of Habitat for Humanity of Greater Greensboro, took the top spot with 20.25 percent of the vote.
Incumbent Hugh Holston finished second with 20.16 percent, and community organizer Irving Allen claimed the third seat with 17.45 percent.
Allen, a youth mentor and long-time community advocate, said he plans to focus on rebuilding the city’s “neighborhood congress.”
“Our first priority is to bring neighborhood associations and community members together so we can assess what each community needs and get city resources in place to meet those needs,” Allen said.
Richard Beard, CEO of the Greensboro Sports Foundation, finished fourth with 15 percent.
Incumbent Jamilla Pinder, who was appointed earlier this year to fill the late Yvonne Johnson’s term, finished fifth with 13.86 percent, and T. Dianne Bellamy-Small, a Guilford County School Board member, finished sixth with 12.69 percent.
In District 1, community organizer and housing advocate Crystal Black unseated longtime council member Sharon Hightower, earning 59 percent of the vote to Hightower’s 40 percent.
“I am glad that the residents of District 1 believed in me and my forward vision on how I will represent them,” said Black. “It’s a new day for District 1. I’m grateful to lead and look forward to providing the Greensboro community with equity and inclusion so that all of our Greensboro family can thrive.”
In District 2, Cecile ‘CC’ Crawford won with 53.98 percent over Monica Walker, who received 45.37 percent.
“I am excited to be one of six new Black city council members,” said Crawford. “This makes me extremely hopeful about the policies and ordinances we can change or create at the city level.”
Crawford, who campaigned on strengthening tenant rights and raising minimum housing standards, said those priorities remain at the top of her agenda.
“I intend to keep my promise of strengthening code enforcement, hosting town halls, and working hard to earn the trust of my constituents,” she said.
In District 3, community organizer April Parker narrowly defeated incumbent Zack Matheny, winning 51.86 percent of the vote to his 47.82 percent — a difference of just 552 votes.
In District 4, newcomer Adam Marshall won decisively with 66.35 percent, defeating Nicky Smith, who received 33.41 percent.
In District 5, incumbent Tammi Thurm retained her seat with 68.37 percent of the vote over challenger Jeannette Davidson-Mayer, who garnered 31.16 percent.
