Nate Baker
@natebakerdurham.bsky.social
Durham City Council At-Large | Urban Planner | Fighting for a livable city | 🌹
Congratulations to the winners of the Durham municipal race, including Leonardo Williams, Chelsea Cook, Shanetta Burris, and Matt Kopac.
And congratulations to fellow Democratic Socialists outside of Durham and across the country from Danny Nowell in Carrboro to Zohran Mamdani in New York.
And congratulations to fellow Democratic Socialists outside of Durham and across the country from Danny Nowell in Carrboro to Zohran Mamdani in New York.
November 5, 2025 at 1:29 PM
Congratulations to the winners of the Durham municipal race, including Leonardo Williams, Chelsea Cook, Shanetta Burris, and Matt Kopac.
And congratulations to fellow Democratic Socialists outside of Durham and across the country from Danny Nowell in Carrboro to Zohran Mamdani in New York.
And congratulations to fellow Democratic Socialists outside of Durham and across the country from Danny Nowell in Carrboro to Zohran Mamdani in New York.
Local government has enormous power to regulate real estate. Let’s be clear: Accepting big real estate campaign money is incompatible with progressive local politics.
We need big real estate donations and schmoozing with big developers OUT of Durham local and state legislative politics.
We need big real estate donations and schmoozing with big developers OUT of Durham local and state legislative politics.
November 3, 2025 at 1:40 AM
Local government has enormous power to regulate real estate. Let’s be clear: Accepting big real estate campaign money is incompatible with progressive local politics.
We need big real estate donations and schmoozing with big developers OUT of Durham local and state legislative politics.
We need big real estate donations and schmoozing with big developers OUT of Durham local and state legislative politics.
The Onion couldn’t write a better headline
October 31, 2025 at 2:23 PM
The Onion couldn’t write a better headline
Reposted by Nate Baker
It’s the most corrupt administration in American history and nothing else even comes close
October 24, 2025 at 12:40 AM
It’s the most corrupt administration in American history and nothing else even comes close
North Carolina is not a democracy. We just cosplay democracy. We don’t need a strong GOP—they’re an existential threat to this country and world.
I’d like to see NC democrats make resident ballot measures a top priority to show North Carolinians that the serves the billionaires over everyone else.
I’d like to see NC democrats make resident ballot measures a top priority to show North Carolinians that the serves the billionaires over everyone else.
October 23, 2025 at 3:51 PM
North Carolina is not a democracy. We just cosplay democracy. We don’t need a strong GOP—they’re an existential threat to this country and world.
I’d like to see NC democrats make resident ballot measures a top priority to show North Carolinians that the serves the billionaires over everyone else.
I’d like to see NC democrats make resident ballot measures a top priority to show North Carolinians that the serves the billionaires over everyone else.
Disdain for democracy has ALWAYS been inherent to rightwing ideology, which is why we must always do everything we can to keep them from power.
Now that they have full power, they are comfortable carrying out crimes & corruption. We must do all we can to defeat and dismantle this rotten system.
Now that they have full power, they are comfortable carrying out crimes & corruption. We must do all we can to defeat and dismantle this rotten system.
October 22, 2025 at 7:23 PM
Disdain for democracy has ALWAYS been inherent to rightwing ideology, which is why we must always do everything we can to keep them from power.
Now that they have full power, they are comfortable carrying out crimes & corruption. We must do all we can to defeat and dismantle this rotten system.
Now that they have full power, they are comfortable carrying out crimes & corruption. We must do all we can to defeat and dismantle this rotten system.
Because neoliberalism has failed to provide for the people but has provided great wealth for a few, it needs to be repackaged. A new name, a new coat of paint.
We are seeing a lot of that happening these days among pundits who can’t stomach Trump’s personality and social policy.
We are seeing a lot of that happening these days among pundits who can’t stomach Trump’s personality and social policy.
October 4, 2025 at 11:33 PM
Because neoliberalism has failed to provide for the people but has provided great wealth for a few, it needs to be repackaged. A new name, a new coat of paint.
We are seeing a lot of that happening these days among pundits who can’t stomach Trump’s personality and social policy.
We are seeing a lot of that happening these days among pundits who can’t stomach Trump’s personality and social policy.
Often when we talk about places being “overdeveloped” what’s actually happened is those places are just poorly developed. It’s not that there are too many people/jobs/things to do, it’s that car-centric development has made cities unbearable.
September 23, 2025 at 2:49 PM
Often when we talk about places being “overdeveloped” what’s actually happened is those places are just poorly developed. It’s not that there are too many people/jobs/things to do, it’s that car-centric development has made cities unbearable.
Reposted by Nate Baker
How did Dr. Monarez go from being “a public health expert with unimpeachable scientific credentials” who had the “full confidence” of Secretary Kennedy into being a “liar” and “untrustworthy” in less than a month?
She refused to rubber stamp his anti-vaccine recommendations.
She refused to rubber stamp his anti-vaccine recommendations.
September 17, 2025 at 9:02 PM
How did Dr. Monarez go from being “a public health expert with unimpeachable scientific credentials” who had the “full confidence” of Secretary Kennedy into being a “liar” and “untrustworthy” in less than a month?
She refused to rubber stamp his anti-vaccine recommendations.
She refused to rubber stamp his anti-vaccine recommendations.
Locking thousands of acres into low density single-family sprawl, just because that’s what homebuilders want, is not pro-housing or pro-urbanist, despite what many well-funded organizations and individuals say.
We can truly build sustainable cities but we need to cut through the noise and lies.
We can truly build sustainable cities but we need to cut through the noise and lies.
September 17, 2025 at 9:04 PM
Locking thousands of acres into low density single-family sprawl, just because that’s what homebuilders want, is not pro-housing or pro-urbanist, despite what many well-funded organizations and individuals say.
We can truly build sustainable cities but we need to cut through the noise and lies.
We can truly build sustainable cities but we need to cut through the noise and lies.
Amazing reporting by Lisa Sorg. Please read.
"Smells have been so bad at times that Durham police have been called in to look for dead bodies.”
This is the story of Brenntag, a chemical packaging co, a polluted creek that runs thru an Eastside Black community & DEQ 's failure to regulate for ~30 yrs
insideclimatenews.org/news/1308202...
This is the story of Brenntag, a chemical packaging co, a polluted creek that runs thru an Eastside Black community & DEQ 's failure to regulate for ~30 yrs
insideclimatenews.org/news/1308202...
An Environmental Justice Test Case for Trump’s EPA: A Creek That Smells Like Death - Inside Climate News
EPA expressed alarm at contamination in a creek near a predominantly Black neighborhood. Then the agency eliminated its civil-rights office and has taken no further action.
insideclimatenews.org
August 13, 2025 at 9:35 PM
Amazing reporting by Lisa Sorg. Please read.
Reposted by Nate Baker
Durham’s Transportation Department wants to give one of the city’s busiest traffic corridors a major upgrade by developing its first Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) route.
A Plan for Bus Rapid Transit in Durham is In the Works
The City of Durham is designing and seeking funding for a central Durham bus rapid transit system that would run from Duke to Wellons Village.
indyweek.com
July 25, 2025 at 2:18 PM
Durham’s Transportation Department wants to give one of the city’s busiest traffic corridors a major upgrade by developing its first Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) route.
Reposted by Nate Baker
For as long as I've known him, @natebakerdurham.bsky.social has preached the same policy agenda Zohran Mamdani has put a spotlight on in NYC.
Here for @indyweek.bsky.social, he makes the case for this Democratic Socialist agenda as the last best hope against fascism.
indyweek.com/news/opinion...
Here for @indyweek.bsky.social, he makes the case for this Democratic Socialist agenda as the last best hope against fascism.
indyweek.com/news/opinion...
Op-Ed: The Left Can Defeat the Rising Tide of Fascism
History shows that oppressive systems can be overthrown, even when they seem insurmountable. What can we do locally?
indyweek.com
July 25, 2025 at 11:02 PM
For as long as I've known him, @natebakerdurham.bsky.social has preached the same policy agenda Zohran Mamdani has put a spotlight on in NYC.
Here for @indyweek.bsky.social, he makes the case for this Democratic Socialist agenda as the last best hope against fascism.
indyweek.com/news/opinion...
Here for @indyweek.bsky.social, he makes the case for this Democratic Socialist agenda as the last best hope against fascism.
indyweek.com/news/opinion...
Reposted by Nate Baker
We do not want ICE in our community. We do not welcome ICE in our community. ICE makes Durham more dangerous. ICE is a waste of taxpayer money when we have many other urgent needs. ICE is Trump and Stephen Miller’s personal police force. ICE has fascist tendencies.
Abolish ICE.
Abolish ICE.
July 23, 2025 at 3:01 PM
We do not want ICE in our community. We do not welcome ICE in our community. ICE makes Durham more dangerous. ICE is a waste of taxpayer money when we have many other urgent needs. ICE is Trump and Stephen Miller’s personal police force. ICE has fascist tendencies.
Abolish ICE.
Abolish ICE.
What’s at stake in the 2025 Durham municipal race?
With municipal elections gearing up during a rise in state and federal fascism and oligarchy, you might be wondering if there’s much at stake locally. The answer is YES - the stakes are high.
With municipal elections gearing up during a rise in state and federal fascism and oligarchy, you might be wondering if there’s much at stake locally. The answer is YES - the stakes are high.
July 23, 2025 at 12:25 AM
What’s at stake in the 2025 Durham municipal race?
With municipal elections gearing up during a rise in state and federal fascism and oligarchy, you might be wondering if there’s much at stake locally. The answer is YES - the stakes are high.
With municipal elections gearing up during a rise in state and federal fascism and oligarchy, you might be wondering if there’s much at stake locally. The answer is YES - the stakes are high.
How do we build a thriving, just, and democratic city in a declining nation? How can we fight locally against all odds to overthrow the corrupt and exploitative ruling class? These are questions Mamdani’s people-powered campaign in NYC are shedding some light on & our task in Durham & elsewhere.
July 8, 2025 at 3:34 PM
How do we build a thriving, just, and democratic city in a declining nation? How can we fight locally against all odds to overthrow the corrupt and exploitative ruling class? These are questions Mamdani’s people-powered campaign in NYC are shedding some light on & our task in Durham & elsewhere.
Reposted by Nate Baker
What’s in the bill the Senate is about to vote on?
-CUTS to Medicaid & SNAP
-SELLING our public lands
-LOOPHOLES for Big Oil to make even more money
-BLOCKS AI regulations at the state and local levels
-MORE money for war
Call your Senators & tell them to vote NO: 202 224-3121
-CUTS to Medicaid & SNAP
-SELLING our public lands
-LOOPHOLES for Big Oil to make even more money
-BLOCKS AI regulations at the state and local levels
-MORE money for war
Call your Senators & tell them to vote NO: 202 224-3121
June 30, 2025 at 8:33 PM
What’s in the bill the Senate is about to vote on?
-CUTS to Medicaid & SNAP
-SELLING our public lands
-LOOPHOLES for Big Oil to make even more money
-BLOCKS AI regulations at the state and local levels
-MORE money for war
Call your Senators & tell them to vote NO: 202 224-3121
-CUTS to Medicaid & SNAP
-SELLING our public lands
-LOOPHOLES for Big Oil to make even more money
-BLOCKS AI regulations at the state and local levels
-MORE money for war
Call your Senators & tell them to vote NO: 202 224-3121
This weekend the North Carolina Democratic Party Executive Committee will be convening.
They have an opportunity for TRANSFORMATIONAL CHANGE by approving the “People’s Primary” Policy banning billionaires and corporations from buying or unduly influencing Democratic Primaries.
Approve it!
They have an opportunity for TRANSFORMATIONAL CHANGE by approving the “People’s Primary” Policy banning billionaires and corporations from buying or unduly influencing Democratic Primaries.
Approve it!
June 28, 2025 at 1:17 AM
This weekend the North Carolina Democratic Party Executive Committee will be convening.
They have an opportunity for TRANSFORMATIONAL CHANGE by approving the “People’s Primary” Policy banning billionaires and corporations from buying or unduly influencing Democratic Primaries.
Approve it!
They have an opportunity for TRANSFORMATIONAL CHANGE by approving the “People’s Primary” Policy banning billionaires and corporations from buying or unduly influencing Democratic Primaries.
Approve it!
In Atlanta this weekend so I decided to read some of @danimmergluck.bsky.social’s book Red Hot City and it shows a lot of similarities to Durham and Raleigh.
Reading some DuBois as well and that has tons of similarities too.
Reading some DuBois as well and that has tons of similarities too.
June 20, 2025 at 3:57 PM
In Atlanta this weekend so I decided to read some of @danimmergluck.bsky.social’s book Red Hot City and it shows a lot of similarities to Durham and Raleigh.
Reading some DuBois as well and that has tons of similarities too.
Reading some DuBois as well and that has tons of similarities too.
Durham now has record levels of residential vacancies. To build housing on city land not only would we have to subsidize affordable units but now market rate units too.
4 major residential/mixed use downtown projects are paused: GeerHouse 2, YMCA Redevelopment, ATC Phase II, Durham Center II
4 major residential/mixed use downtown projects are paused: GeerHouse 2, YMCA Redevelopment, ATC Phase II, Durham Center II
June 5, 2025 at 2:43 AM
Durham now has record levels of residential vacancies. To build housing on city land not only would we have to subsidize affordable units but now market rate units too.
4 major residential/mixed use downtown projects are paused: GeerHouse 2, YMCA Redevelopment, ATC Phase II, Durham Center II
4 major residential/mixed use downtown projects are paused: GeerHouse 2, YMCA Redevelopment, ATC Phase II, Durham Center II
Inherent to human nature is a desire for human-scaled places. There’s a reason why—from an urban design perspective—people tend to feel comfortable me walking and standing in places like this.
May 3, 2025 at 8:10 PM
Inherent to human nature is a desire for human-scaled places. There’s a reason why—from an urban design perspective—people tend to feel comfortable me walking and standing in places like this.
The GOP continues its destructive assault against our country, workers, environment, and climate — it was just announced that EPA’s Office of Research and Development will be “reorganized” in a way that amounts to firing hundreds of Triangle-area workers.
May 2, 2025 at 11:10 PM
The GOP continues its destructive assault against our country, workers, environment, and climate — it was just announced that EPA’s Office of Research and Development will be “reorganized” in a way that amounts to firing hundreds of Triangle-area workers.
The growing glorification and normalization of violence against people protesting war and Israel’s genocide in Gaza is despicable and should be condemned by all of our leaders in the strongest terms.
April 29, 2025 at 1:47 AM
The growing glorification and normalization of violence against people protesting war and Israel’s genocide in Gaza is despicable and should be condemned by all of our leaders in the strongest terms.