Mark-Anthony Middleton | |
|---|---|
| Mayor Pro Tempore of Durham, North Carolina | |
| Assumed office 2021 | |
| Preceded by | Jillian Johnson |
| Durham City Councilman for Ward 2 | |
| Assumed office 2017 | |
| Personal details | |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Occupation | politician,pastor |
Mark-Anthony Middleton is an American politician and Protestant minister. He has served on the Durham City Council since 2017 and as Mayor Pro Tempore of Durham since 2021.
Williams is the senior pastor and CEO of Abundant Hope Christian Church,an African-American Protestant congregation in Durham. [1]
Middleton was elected to the Durham City Council in 2017. He represents Ward 2. [2] In 2020,he proposed a pilot program that would give a universal basic income to the city's poorest residence. [3] The proposal suggested a twelve to eighteen-month experiment that would provide 200-300 residents with up to $1,000 a month in income. [3] Middleton argued that the program would help reduce other issues in the city,especially gun violence. [3] Williams supported a non-discrimination ordinance protecting LGBTQ residents and supported the Crown Act,protecting women of color in the workplace. [4] He called for the hiring,training,and deploying of unarmed mental health responders to assist with crisis response. [4]
In 2021,he was appointed as Mayor Pro Tempore. [5]
On March 23,2023,Councilwoman DeDreana Freeman accused Middleton of bullying black women during an extortion investigation into Councilwoman Monique Holsey-Hyman. [6] Middleton and Freeman argued in a room outside of the council chamber and,according to Indy Week ,Freeman attempted to punch Middleton,instead hitting Mayor Elaine O'Neal and Councilman Leonardo Williams,who were attempting to restrain her. [7] [8]
Despite speculation,Middleton announced that he would not be running for Mayor of Durham in the 2023 Durham mayoral election. [9]
He served as president of the NC League of Municipalities until 2025 and,prior to his presidency,he served on the league's board of directors. [1]