When asked why she is running for Durham City Council, candidate Shanetta Burris responded, “Because I have free will. I can, and I’m going to do it.”

This is not Burris’ first rodeo. In 2023, the North Carolina native ran for the same role she is now, but let the campaign cycle stretch her thin. This time, however, she has come prepared with the insight that experience granted her.

Despite having worked in politics for nearly a decade, Burris says she does not think of herself as a politician — she just wants to help people. She moved to the Triangle when she was a teenager, but spent her early childhood in Gastonia, just outside of Charlotte, in a majority Black neighborhood. She said she noticed others did not know how to advocate for change, and recognized that she wanted to give a voice to her community.

“When I was growing up, it was, like, we felt injustice, but didn’t know how to address it,” she said. 

This notion pushed her to become involved in politics. She attended North Carolina Central University, where she earned both a master’s and bachelor’s degree in public administration. Then, she went on to work as a political organizer for various campaigns.

“It was me on this journey, like, ‘OK, I don’t like what government does — how do I fix it? I know I can’t do it alone,’” she said.

Burris’ main priorities are affordable housing, environmental preservation, safety and improving Durham’s infrastructure — even as the city continues to grow.

“It’s really important and critical that, in Durham in this moment, our city is leveraging every tool we have in our toolbox to ensure that our firefighters, police officers [and] our sanitation workers can actually live in the city that they work in,” she said. “And I think there needs a lot more work done around that, a lot more intentionality around design programs, but also having assigned metrics to ensure that we are meeting our goals.” 

Development has been a hotbed issue this election cycle, but Burris says, in an ideal world, Durham City Council members would be able to compromise on development. She said that currently, members are either pro- or anti-development, when, in her opinion, the issue is highly nuanced and in need of open conversation. 

These issues are personal to Burris — she is a middle-income resident of Durham.

“It’s just, like, a binary, like ‘yes or no.’ You’re either for growth, or you’re not for growth. You’re a YIMBY (“Yes in my backyard”) or a NIMBY (“Not in my backyard”),” she said. “I’m like, ‘I don’t even have a backyard.’” 

Burris’ interest in environmental preservation goes hand-in-hand with her thoughts on development. Rapid development has an impact on the environment, she said, and taking away trees and natural resources pose real risks for the community.

Another priority of Burris’ is kindness and respect within the government. The Durham City Council has had instances of hostility over the past few years, and Burris would like to help shift the culture of conflict within the body. Burris said that, during her first campaign in 2023, she did not realize how vicious people could be in politics. 

“Last time, I didn’t have any joy. I was miserable, I cried a lot. I just went home and took everything to heart,” she said. “And if you’re gonna do anything in this life, and you can’t find joy in it, you’re probably doing the wrong thing. So I’ve learned how to find joy, even in the tough moments.”

Burris has been endorsed by Elaine O’Neal, former mayor of Durham, as well as the Durham People’s Alliance political action committee, the Durham Workers Union and Durham Progressive Democrats. Burris has worked with O’Neal in the past, and O’Neal said she believes Burris is fit for the role due to her extensive knowledge and passion for public administration.

“Not only is she knowledgeable about people and is very personable and open, but she’s also a policy wonk — this is her profession,” O’Neal said. “She knows very well how to run a campaign, that’s one of her many strengths.” 

Rosa Anderson, a former professor and current  student service manager at North Carolina Central University, also advocated for Burris, highlighting her connection to the communities for which she advocates.

“The issues that are concerning Durham now are real to her. They have people’s names attached to the percentages,” she said. “If you ask about the percentage of folks not being able to get affordable housing, she could give you a name that fits those percentages. If you ask her about what is happening in terms of young folks not being able to afford to buy a home, she’ll start with her name.”

Burris said she wants her supporters to represent the population of Durham — diverse, not just in race and gender, but all around. She said she was looking forward to getting to the primaries and steering the voice of the community. 

“I want to be the type of leadership I want to see, and that’s why I’m running,” Burris said. “Because I believe that our democracy is in a really critical place right now and we better start rebuilding it at some point — and why not start with government?” 

Burris made it through the primary election that took place on Tuesday, Oct. 7, meaning she will move on to the general municipal election. This will take place on Tuesday, Nov. 4. Durham residents can vote early until Nov. 1, and may request absentee ballots until Oct. 21.