Bolin Elected to Jefferson County Commission
Former Alabama Supreme Court Justice Mike Bolin, right, shakes hands with voter Lee Benton in Vestavia Hills as Bolin campaigns on election day for Jefferson County Commission District 5 on Tuesday, July 18, 2023.
Mike Bolin is retired no more. The former Alabama Supreme Court justice has a new job as the newly elected District 5 representative on the Jefferson County Commission.
Bolin, 74, of Vestavia Hills received 5,728 votes, or 59% of the total, in Tuesday’s special election, while developer David Silverstein, 67, of Mountain Brook amassed 3,924 votes, or 41%.
“I spent 35 years in the judicial branch of government,” Bolin said after learning of his victory. “Now I’ll be embarking on a quasi-executive-legislative branch of government. I’m anxious to work with the members of the commission, to be fiscally conservative (and) to work for the betterment of the whole county I was born in and I’ve always lived in and always will.”
Bolin said he never took a victory in this election for granted.
“I’m surprised that I won, and the margin was very comforting to me,” he said. “It humbles me, to be honest with you.”
Silverstein wished Bolin success as he spoke to supporters at the Porch restaurant in Mountain Brook’s Crestline Village. He suggested that his political career may not be over.
“Am I going to give up? Hell no!” he exclaimed. “I look forward to standing before you again. I’m not announcing a candidacy, but there’s one senator, one U.S. senator, that does not represent the state.”
Bolin will complete the unexpired term of former District 5 Commissioner Steve Ammons, who stepped down to lead the Birmingham Business Alliance.
“Steve, I consider just a giant in the field of economic development,” the commissioner-elect said. “I really want to immerse myself in that to begin with. Steve is a really good guy. He’s got big shoes to fill. I’m going to do my best. I’ve got big feet; we’ll see how much I fill them.”
Bolin did not host a celebration Tuesday night, partly because of the passing Tuesday of the family’s 14-year-old Shih Tzu dog.
“It was a bittersweet day,” he said. “The good thing is we got 14 years of good memories because she was a sweet dog and a sweet member of our family.”
Bolin’s victory assures a Republican majority on the Jefferson County Commission will continue. He will serve alongside Republicans Jimmie Stephens (District 3) and Joe Knight (District 4) and Democrats Lashunda Scales (District 1) and Sheila Tyson (District 2).
Florida heads to NCAA title game in a victory over SEC rival Auburn
Florida beat Southeastern Conference rival Auburn 79-73 in the Final Four on Saturday night. The Gators are going to the national championship game for the first time since their titles in 2006 and 2007.
How automakers are responding to the 25% car tariffs so far
It's only been a few days since President Trump's 25% tariffs on foreign cars took effect. But the import surcharge has led to some immediate changes, including layoffs and pauses in car shipments.
Nationwide ‘Hands Off’ protests erupt against Trump and Musk
Demonstrations took place across the country, uniting a myriad of criticisms of the Trump administration under one message: "Hands off."
How automakers are responding to the 25% car tariffs so far
It's only been a few days since President Trump's 25% tariffs on foreign cars took effect. But the import surcharge has led to some immediate changes, including layoffs and pauses in car shipments.
‘Oliver and Amanda Pig’ series author Jean Van Leeuwen dies at 87
The children's book author best known for her Oliver and Amanda Pig series has died at 87. Van Leeuwen wrote nearly 60 books, some of which sold millions of copies.
More torrential rain and flash flooding are expected in waterlogged South and Midwest
Another round of torrential rain and flash flooding was coming Saturday for parts of the South and Midwest already heavily waterlogged by days of severe storms that also spawned some deadly tornadoes.
