Secular Humanist, Endorsed By Atheist PAC, Wins North Carolina City Council Seat

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I know it was a big night for Democrats with a lot of important victories. But I don’t want to let this story go under the radar.
The Apex Town Council — near Raleigh, North Carolina — had an election tonight with three seats up for grabs (on the five-seat council). Five names were on the ballot so this wasn’t a runaway for anybody.
One of the candidates was Audra Killingsworth, a proud Secular Humanist and member of both the American Humanist Association and Triangle Freethought Society.

Earlier this year, she was endorsed by the Freethought Equality Fund PAC.

“After watching the impact that government can have on us,” says Audra, “I realized that I want to contribute. I want to make a difference. What better place to start than locally, in my own community.”

Last night, she was among the top three vote-getters, winning a spot on the city council.

I asked her last night what was going through her mind and she told me she was “still running on adrenaline!” It’s a progressive community so she didn’t feel like coming out as an atheist helped her in any way, but it didn’t hurt her either. That’s no small deal.
What does she hope to accomplish while serving her four-year term?

I hope to get paid family leave passed, safer routes for pedestrians to schools, and in 2020 a nondiscrimination ordinance.

All are reasonable, sensible ideas. That’s what happens when reasonable, sensible people are voted into office.
Kudos to Killingsworth for deciding to run, speaking freely about her non-religiosity, and winning a competitive race. May many others follow in her footsteps.