Mark-Anthony Middleton

Mark-Anthony Middleton is an American politician and Protestant minister. He has served on the Durham City Council from 2017 to 2025 and as Mayor Pro Tempore of Durham from 2021 to 2025.

Career Ministry Williams is the senior pastor and CEO of Abundant Hope Christian Church, an African-American Protestant congregation in Durham.

Politics Middleton was elected to the Durham City Council in 2017. He represents Ward 2. In 2020, he proposed a pilot program that would give a universal basic income to the city's poorest residents. The proposal suggested a twelve to eighteen-month experiment that would provide 200-300 residents with up to $1,000 a month in income. He called for the hiring, training, and deploying of unarmed mental health responders to assist with crisis response.

On March 23, 2023, Councilwoman DeDreana Freeman accused Middleton of bullying black women during an extortion investigation into Councilwoman Monique Holsey-Hyman. 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.

Despite speculation, Middleton announced that he would not be running for Mayor of Durham in the 2023 election.

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.