Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin Wins Another Term

| August 24, 2021 

 1537737372 
1629844711
Mayor Randall Woodfin

Cody Short, WBHM

Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin was elected to another term Tuesday evening, taking in roughly 64% of the vote.

Jefferson County Commissioner Lashunda Scales trailed behind with around 21% of the vote and former Birmingham Mayor William Bell behind her with 9% of the vote.

But voter turnout remained low in this year’s election, with only 25% of active voters casting a ballot.

Woodfin took the stage to chants of “four more years” at an election night watch party with supporters.

“You told us to invest in your neighborhoods, and we did. You told us to pave more streets and we did. You told is to tear down this blight and we did. You told us to invest in our younger generation and we did with the Birmingham Promise,” Woodfin said. “I also want you to know, that my commitment and sense of urgency will be the same over the next four years. Thank you for this opportunity to continue to represent you. Thank you for this opportunity to continue to lead our city. And thank you for this opportunity to be in the trenches with you to make the city of Birmingham better.”

Woodfin plans to accomplish a variety of things as part of his ‘Vision 2025 Plan.’ Some of these include:

  • Further expanding the Birmingham Promise Scholarship Initiative
  • Expanding COVID-19 vaccination sites
  • Implementing the City’s PEACE Strategy, a public health-based approach to preventing gun violence in Birmingham
  • Launching “Operation Second Chance,” a program for Birmingham residents to expunge misdemeanors and select felonies from their criminal records
  • Expand the city’s Pardons for Progress program
  • Continuing the Birmingham Police Department’s policy of de-emphasizing marijuana possession cases so that minor marijuana possession cases no longer go before our municipal courts
  • Working to clear any remaining backlog of untested rape kits in Birmingham
  • Continuing efforts to revitalize Birmingham’s 99 neighborhoods.

Woodfin was first elected in 2017 after beating incumbent Mayor William Bell.

 

There Were More Deaths Than Births In Alabama Last Year, A Grim First For The State

Alabama's top health official says the state has "literally shrunk." According to preliminary data, it saw 64,714 total deaths and 57,641 births in 2020.

Yes, It Is Safe To Get The COVID And Flu Vaccines At The Same Time

Alabama is gearing up for flu season. Health professionals say it's okay to get the COVID-19 vaccine in conjunction with the flu vaccine.

Hoyt Leaves Legacy In District Eight After Sixteen Years

For the last sixteen years, Birmingham City Councilor Steven Hoyt has represented areas like Ensley, West End and Five Points West. But Hoyt will leave office next month after choosing not to run for reelection. His last meeting is October 19.

Bridging The Empathy Gap Between Birmingham Schools And The Community

The interactive art exhibit “All In” put viewers in the shoes of Ramsay High School students.

JeffCo Employees Getting 3% Raises In Budget Passed Thursday

The Jefferson County Commission unanimously passed a $882,750,611 budget last week. It includes a 3% across-the-board raise for county employees.

Birmingham Applies For Grants To Beef Up Surveillance, Readies To Open Real-Time Crime Center

The city of Birmingham will apply for a $100,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Justice to purchase and maintain license plate readers in an effort “to improve the [Birmingham Police Department’s] response to violent crime.”

More Front Page Coverage