Woodfin Wins. Birmingham Voters Deny Bell Another Term
Dan Carsen
Birmingham voters on Tuesday elected Randall Woodfin the city’s new mayor. Woodfin took 59 percent of the vote to incumbent Mayor William Bell’s 41 percent, according to unofficial results. The two candidates took different approaches as they vied for the mayor’s seat in the weeks after the August municipal election. That race resulted in a runoff. Bell touted his experience while Woodfin, 36, promoted change.
Our Revolution, a group that emerged from the presidential campaign of U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders to support progressive leaders, invested heavily in Woodfin’s campaign. The group sent more than 11,000 get-out-the-vote text messages and made hundreds of phone calls to Woodfin’s would-be constituents.
The group’s president, Nina Turner, said in a statement she expects Woodfin to be committed to enacting a progressive agenda serving the needs of all the city’s residents, echoing a campaign promise of Woodfin’s. Disparities around the city when it came to crime and revitalization were a common theme during the campaign.
Bell didn’t immediately concede the election Tuesday night, but eventually he said Birmingham residents spoke at the ballot box. The 68-year-old has been mayor since 2009. Though he won more boxes than Woodfin in the August 22 election, Bell won far fewer during the runoff, including his home precinct of Legion Field.
Woodfin is set to begin his term November 28.
Other Election Results:
City Council
Birmingham City Council Johnathan Austin lost his seat to challenger Darrell O’Quinn in the District 5 race. Quinn trailed Austin at first, but came out ahead later with almost 52 percent of the vote.
In District 2, Kim Rafferty lost her seat to Hunter Williams, who took 71 percent of the vote.
In Distrcit 9, John Hilliard narrowly beat Roderick Royal — 50.58 to 49.42.
Board of Education
District 1
Douglas Lee Ragland – 51.7 percent
Cedric Small – 48.3 percent
District 4
Daagye Hendricks – 51.2 percent
Edward Maddox – 48.8 percent
District 5
David McKinney – 43.4 percent
Michael Millsap – 56.6 percent
District 7
Patricia Spigner McAdory – 60 percent
Walter Wilson – 40 percent
District 8
Patricia Bozeman-Henderson – 36.3 percent
Sonja Q. Smith – 63.7 percent
Birmingham Police Chief A.C. Roper Steps Down
11-29-2017
After weeks of speculation, Birmingham Police Chief A.C. Roper is stepping down. Mayor Randall Woodfin’s office released a statement from the chief today confirming that Roper did not reapply for his position in the new mayor’s administration.
Birmingham’s Millennial Mayor Moves to a Different Beat
11-21-2017
One week from today, Randall Woodfin takes office as Birmingham’s 30th mayor. His rise to the big office on third floor of City Hall is a move Woodfin has calculated for years, even though he’s just 36.
Woodfin Shocked the Old Guard. Now What?
11-3-2017
In about three weeks, Randall Woodfin takes office as Birmingham’s next mayor. Woodfin worked for years as an attorney at City Hall. During his year-long campaign for mayor, Woodfin shined a light on the city’s problems and sold most Birmingham voters on his ability to fix them. Recently he spoke with WBHM’s Sherrel Wheeler Stewart about what’s next and how he won.
New Birmingham Council Pledges To Work Together
10-24-2017
Birmingham has a new city council – six returning members and three new ones. They took office this morning, pledging to do things differently –– mainly working with the new mayor and working together.
Voters Hope Woodfin Fulfills Promises For Better Birmingham
10-17-2017
Randall Woodfin takes over as mayor of Birmingham on Nov. 28. He overwhelmingly beat incumbent Mayor William Bell in this month’s runoff. On the campaign trail, the 36-year-old Woodfin promised a better Birmingham. Now residents say they expect him to deliver on those promises.
