Candidate Biography (submitted by campaign):

Donald Hughes is a Durham native and grew up in Durham's Northeast Central Durham (NECD) neighborhood. He is a product of the Durham Public Schools System, having graduated from Hillside High School. Donald attended the University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG) where he obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics.

Donald has lived in Durham, N.C., Greensboro, N.C. and Washington, D.C.- where he has been an engaged community member devoted to improving the community around him. Donald now calls the Old Five Points neighborhood of Durham his home and serves as his neighborhood's Democratic Party Precinct Chair and a member of the North Carolina Democratic Party State Executive Committee.

Donald, this past year, was extensively involved with the Obama for America campaign where he helped organize record turnout on the UNCG campus and was elected as one of North Carolina's youngest Pledged Obama Delegates to the 2008 Democratic National Convention. Donald furthered his understanding of national politics as a 2008 Congressional Black Caucus Foundation/Wal-Mart Emerging Leaders Intern in the Office of United States Congressman Mel Watt (NC-12).

With a life-long background in addressing the concerns of the Durham community in the areas of social and economic justice, education, affordable housing and juvenile crime prevention, Donald has demonstrated his ability to understand the concerns of the Durham community, research important issues, and advocate on behalf of the people of Durham.

As a member of the Durham City Council, Donald hopes to continue his commitment to improving the safety of the Durham community, increasing opportunities for vocational and technical education and training, increased economic development for all of Durham's neighborhoods, embracing the cultural, educational and religious diversity of our community, and ensuring that we live in a community that is beautiful and sustainable for years to come.

Candidate Statement:

I am running for Durham City Council because I want to help solve Durham's most pressing problems and take Durham to a new plateau as one of our nation's premier cities. My education, energy, talents and experience uniquely prepare me to take on the challenge of serving as a member of the Durham City Council, representing Ward 1.

Public service characterizes my life. For years I have taken on the challenges of fighting for affordable and decent housing, access to a quality education for all, smart and sustainable growth, and a safe Durham for all of our visitors and residents. 2008 brought a change to politics that our community embraced. The City of Durham led the way across the State North Carolina in electing agents of change. Let us continue leading the State of North Carolina by electing fresh and innovative leadership to the Durham City Council.