Voters to decide next district 5 JeffCo commissioner in Tuesday election

 1663321863 
1689595244

David Silverstein (left) and Mike Bolin face each other in an election on Tuesday, July 18, 2023, to fill an open seat on the Jefferson County Commission.

Birmingham Watch

The Jefferson County Commission District 5 seat is up for grabs in a special election Tuesday.

The vote will decide whether former judge Mike Bolin or developer David Silverstein will fill the term of former Commissioner Steve Ammons, who resigned recently to become CEO of the Birmingham Business Alliance. The winner will serve in the seat until the 2026 election.

The district includes parts of Hoover, Homewood, Vestavia Hills, Mountain Brook, Birmingham and Leeds.

You can determine whether you’re in the district, find your polling place and check whether you’re registered to vote here.

Read profiles on the candidates:

Bolin points to judicial experience in race for JeffCo Commission

Mike Bolin could only play so many rounds of golf.

The former Alabama Supreme Court justice says he was miserable after retiring Jan. 15 of this year. He found that he’s more like his Fairfield steelworker father than he realized.

“He used to work every day,” said Bolin, who’s running for the unexpired District 5 seat on the Jefferson County Commission. “Back in those days, you didn’t get paid if you didn’t work.”

Silverstein touts his business experience in race for JeffCo Commission

Don’t call David Silverstein a politician.

Yes, the former lawyer and career developer is running for the unexpired Jefferson County Commission District 5 seat of Steve Ammons in Tuesday’s special election. But don’t call him a politician.

“I don’t consider myself a politician,” the Mountain Brook resident said. “I consider myself a businessman that’s had his success, been part of this community since my birth, that wants to serve. I don’t see myself as a politician.”

 

Israel’s military says its expanded operation in Gaza City has begun

The announcement by the Israeli military further escalated the Israel-Hamas war as any potential ceasefire feels even further out of reach despite weeks of diplomacy.

Trump says the U.S. military targeted a boat allegedly carrying drugs from Venezuela

President Trump said the U.S. military on Monday again targeted a boat allegedly carrying drugs from Venezuela, killing three aboard the vessel.

Appeals court says Lisa Cook can stay on the Federal Reserve board — for now

A federal appeals court blocked President Trump from firing Federal Reserve governor Lisa Cook, just ahead of a key vote on interest rates.

5 new members added to CDC vaccine advisory panel ahead of key meeting 

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. picks more new vaccine advisers to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, days before a two-day meeting to consider COVID and hepatitis B shots.

Birmingham remembers the 16th Street Baptist Church bombing, 62 years later

The bombing was a significant moment in the Civil Rights Movement and Birmingham’s history.

Hermeto Pascoal, whimsical Brazilian composer nicknamed ‘The Sorcerer,’ dies at 89

Pascoal said he had composed thousands of pieces. "I am 100 percent intuitive," he once told NPR. Miles Davis called him one of the most important musicians in the world.

More Front Page Coverage