Politics & Government
Former Mayor William Bell To Enter 2021 Mayor's Race
Another familiar face has entered the race for Birmingham mayor. The election is set for Aug. 24.
BIRMINGHAM, AL — The Birmingham mayor's race is starting to take shape, as now four candidates — including incumbent Randall Woodfin — have announced their intentions on running. The latest to throw his hat in the ring is former mayor William Bell.
Bell served as mayor from 2010 to 2017, losing his re-election bid to Woodfin. But Bell's career in local politics began way before 2010. Bell was first elected to the Birmingham City Council in 1979, and served as interim mayor when Richard Arrington resigned in 1999. Bell lost his mayoral bid to Bernard Kinkaid in 1999.
Bell served on the Jefferson County Commission for two terms before running for mayor in a special election. Bell defeated Patrick Cooper in the special election and won re-election in 2013. He lost to Woodfin in a runoff in 2017.
Find out what's happening in Birminghamfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
The mayoral race already has familiar faces in the field, as Jefferson County Commission President Pro Tempore LaShunda Scales and local construction executive Chris Woods announced in January their intentions to run.
The election is set for Aug. 24.
Find out what's happening in Birminghamfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.