14-Vote Victory Margin in Historic Mayoral Race
On a tense election night, Dr. Linda Jordan fielded congratulatory calls around 9 PM. But it took hours to fully sink in that she had unseated Butner, North Carolina’s incumbent Mayor Terry Turner by just 14 votes.
“I didn’t really do like a real cheer until later today when I really had time to really think about it. I said, you know, this is actually for real,” Jordan reflected.
Her win is historic on multiple fronts. Jordan was later sworn in the next month as Butner’s first African-American mayor and the first woman to hold the office.
Paving the Way for Youth Opportunities
A resident for nearly 30 years, Jordan has served on Butner’s Town Council since its 2007 incorporation. As mayor, she wants to focus on growth and youth opportunities.
“We have a lot of children in the community. So I want to make sure that there are opportunities for kids to have a place to play in a safe environment,” Jordan explained.
After careers in corporate America and as an entrepreneurial leadership coach, she is ready to continue giving back locally. Jordan didn’t necessarily envision the barrier-breaking outcome.
“It doesn’t matter what your skin color looks like,” she said of the larger significance.
Longtime Servant Leader Makes History
Jordan reflected that her journey included surviving breast cancer and other obstacles. Through it all, she’s embraced a servant leadership mentality.
“When you see something that you want, you figure out your strategy and plan to get there. And if you can help someone else along the way, then you do it,” said the mayor.
Now Jordan prepares to implement that outlook at Butner’s highest level of leadership. She gives credit to supportive community members who made this history-making moment possible after years of her dedicated council tenure.
