A respected name in Durham politics is returning with a new face. Anjanée Bell, daughter of longtime Durham political titan Bill Bell, announced she is considering a run for her father’s former seat as mayor of Durham.
“This is not my formal campaign announcement. It is an expression of my love for Durham and my intention to serve its people,” Anjanée Bell said in a press release on Friday. “My father taught me that leadership is not about power; it is about purpose. I intend to honor that legacy while artfully building a better Durham for everyone.”
Although this is Bell’s first foray into local politics, she has deep roots in Durham and North Carolina. Bell previously worked as a Durham Public Schools dance educator from 2001 to 2016. She founded Bellan Contemporary Dance Theatre in 2006, and served as the director of dance and outreach for the North Carolina Arts Council from 2016 to 2017.
She currently serves as the Arts in the Parks director for the North Carolina State Parks system.
The official announcement is light on specific policy details, but Bell leans into her background as an artist to envision a future administration that is inclusive and collaborative inside City Hall, and out in the community.
“Collaboration is the heartbeat of progress,” Bell said. “When we welcome diverse perspectives and ideas, we unlock the full potential of our city.”
Bell has big shoes to fill. Her father, Bill, has been a mainstay in Durham politics for over 40 years. He served as a county commissioner from 1972 to 1994 and again from 1996 to 2000. The next year, he was elected mayor of Durham and served for 16 years until 2017.
At a city council meeting in January, council members reflected on the passing of former President Jimmy Carter and dedicated a street as of William V. “Bill” Bell Way. DeDreana Freeman lamented what she sees as a lack of leadership presently in the country.
“With the passing of former President Jimmy Carter, it’s really weighing on my spirit that the leadership our country needs is lacking. I want to put a big push out there for folks to get engaged and stay engaged, whether you’re serving in elected office or not, boards, committees, commissions, they all need your leadership,” Freeman said during the meeting.
Bell has heeded Freeman’s call. She is the first major challenger to publicly enter this year’s mayoral race. The campaign announcement comes days before Mayor Leonardo Williams shares his own vision for the future of Durham at the State of the City address on Tuesday, February 18.
The filing deadline for this year’s elections is July 18.
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