Voting rights activist and former Georgia House Democratic Leader Stacey Abrams has endorsed Birmingham incumbent Mayor Randall Woodfin in his upcoming bid for re-election, citing Woodfin’s “leadership, courage, vision and record” in her announcement Monday.
“Randall Woodfin is a committed leader who believes in justice and opportunity for all. He understands that with so much unmet need in our communities, now is not the time for complacency,” Abrams said. “We need leadership with the courage and vision to use government as a tool to advance true equity and holistically invest in the needs of people. Randall’s record reflects the vision, courage and steady leadership needed to make progress in every Birmingham neighborhood, including record investments in eliminating blight and building programs like Birmingham Promise that give hope and opportunity to a new generation of youth. Birmingham has long been a beacon of hope and opportunity. I support Mayor Woodfin as he carries on in that great tradition and meets the moment for the challenges we face today.”
Abrams joins a cadre of local, state and national Democratic leaders who have publicly endorsed the mayor’s re-election efforts in the upcoming Birmingham municipal election, now only 14 days away.
Last week, Woodfin received an endorsement from former U.S. Sen. Doug Jones, who likewise pointed to Woodfin’s leadership and “unprecedented investments in Birmingham’s people.”
Former Mayor Richard Arrington, State Rep. Rolanda Hollis, Jefferson County Commissioner Sheila Tyson, the Alabama New South Coalition, the Central Alabama Labor Federation, and both the Alabama High School and College Democrats, have also announced support for Woodfin.
“Stacey Abrams is a true public servant who has dedicated her career to expanding voting rights, uplifting marginalized communities and fighting for what’s right,” Woodfin said. “She knows that when one Southern city succeeds in making Progress Together, we all share in that forward movement. In announcing her endorsement of my reelection campaign, Leader Abrams continues the work of championing the middle class, expanding opportunity and making our country fairer, more equitable and inclusive for everyone to work, live and thrive.”
In the most recent election poll, conducted by The Birmingham Times between May 11 through June 4, Woodfin shows a significant lead above the other mayoral candidates. Some 52 percent of respondents selected Woodfin over challengers Lashunda Scales, who received 10.8 percent, and William Bell, who received 9.6 percent. Businessmen Chris Woods, philanthropist Cerissa Brown and local activist Daryl Williams all received 2.4 percent or less.
Local polls open at 7 a.m. through 7 p.m., Aug. 24, for Birmingham’s municipal elections.
