According to their website, the Mayors of Alabama's Big 10 cities, "work together to address the state's most important issues and make Alabama a safer, better place for all its residents to live." The group rotates meeting places, meeting in Mobile just last week.
Currently representing the Big 10 Cities are Auburn Mayor Ron Anders, Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin, Decatur Mayor Tab Bowling, Dothan Mayor Mark Saliba, Hoover Mayor Frank Brocato, Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle, Madison Mayor Paul Finley, Mobile Mayor Sandy Stimpson, Montgomery Mayor Steven Reed and Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox.
These cities collectively account for approximately 75% of the state's total population.
In 2021, the state legislature passed and the governor signed into law a bill that moved nearly all of the state's municipal elections to the same calendar. The bill stated, "This section shall not apply to any municipal election required by general or local act at a time different from the dates provided for in this section."
This exemption allowed some of the state's largest cities to continue with their own election schedules. Some cities passed ordinances or have asked their legislative delegations to pass laws that would align them with the same calendar as others.
The mayors of Montgomery and Tuscaloosa have already been reelected, with Steven Reed securing 56.9% of the vote in August 2023, and Walt Maddox receiving 87% of the vote in March of this year. Huntsville's Tommy Battle was reelected without opposition in 2024, while Auburn's Ron Anders also won a second term in 2022 without opposition.
Three incumbent Big 10 Mayors are facing opposition, including Birmingham, Hoover and Dothan, while there are open races in Decatur, Madison and Mobile.
Among the issues the Big 10 have weighed in on are supporting Aniah's Law, which passed as a constitutional amendment allowing courts to deny bail for violent crimes.
The group also has weighed in on various Second Amendment issues, urging the state to pass legislation banning Glock switches and supporting a bill this year that strips those charged with crimes of their Second Amendment rights before conviction.
The group has also pushed for a tax increase. The proposal offered for the 2025 legislative session by State Rep. Chris England (D-Tuscaloosa), the so-called Alabama Simplified Sellers Use Tax (SSUT) rate would increase from 8% to 9.25% and be distributed to the Education Trust Fund (ETF) budget, the General Fund budget, local boards of education, counties and municipalities.
SEE: Alabama Big 10 Mayors renew push to raise online sales tax
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The mayor of Tuscaloosa broke ranks with his Big 10 colleagues and filed suit over the SSUT last month. The city of Mountain Brook soon followed Tuscaloosa's lead and filed its own lawsuit.
While Mayor Frank Brocato has called for tax increases, his primary opponent, police chief Nick Derzis, released a statement last week calling on the City of Hoover to also file its lawsuit.
According to Yellowhammer News, Derzis said, "Hoover residents have some of the highest median household incomes in the state and they shop online at a rate that generates millions in sales tax revenue," Derzis said in a statement on Wednesday. "But instead of those dollars staying in Hoover to fund our roads, our parks, our schools, and our first responders, they're being sent across the state to other cities. That's unacceptable, and it's time we do something about it."
In Madison, three candidates are running for the open seat being vacated by Mayor Paul Finley. Finley announced in October 2024 that he would not run for reelection.
City Councilwoman Ranae Bartlett has raised $51,591. Steve Smith, the current city administrator, has $11,450, but he also gave himself a $14,000 raise and has spent the most, with over $19,000 in expenditures. Margaret (Margi) Daly, who has retired to Madison, is running as a conservative grassroots candidate and has $1,800 in cash on hand.
In Decatur, James Lawrence is facing William Jackson in the seat being vacated by Mayor Tab Bowling, who announced in 2023 that he wasn't running for reelection.
The City of Mobile races to replace Mayor Sandy Stimpson, with Democrats rallying behind a candidate while republicans face a contentious primary.
The final list of qualified candidates for Mobile mayor includes four candidates: State Rep. Barbara Drummond (D-Mobile), former District Judge Spiro Cheriogotis, Mobile County Commissioner Connie Hudson and former police chief Paul Prine.
In Birmingham, Mayor Randall Woodfin is facing primary challenges from eight challengers. State Rep. Juandalynn Givan (D-Birmingham) has raised $176,500 and has been a vocal critic of the mayor's handling of crime and the Birmingham Police Department's understaffing. While Jefferson County Commissioner Lashundra Scales entered the race in late May, and has raised $13,510.
In Hoover, incumbent Brocato has been outraised consistently by his primary opponent, Derzis. Derzis launched his campaign after being encouraged to run by residents and has been endorsed by the majority of the council. Meanwhile, Brocato has garnered endorsements from fellow Big 10 mayor Sandy Simpson and the Alabama Association of Realtors.
With absentee voting already underway for those eligible for the August 26 municipal elections, voting is now in progress. Voters seeking more information about their municipal elections should contact their city clerk or municipal election administrator.
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