Patrick Braxton's journey to the Newbern mayor was extensively chronicled by national media.
He was a black man who ran for mayor in 2020 unopposed. However, the town council reportedly denied him a key to the municipality's town hall and access to the city's records.
Backed by the Southern Poverty Law Center, Braxton sued in federal court. He prevailed in a 2024 settlement approved by U.S. District Court Judge Kristi DuBose, making him Newbern's first African American mayor.
Last year, Braxton won reelection by a 66-26 margin.
Braxton's ascendency was heralded as "progress." However, one detail was overlooked in this Hale County racial justice triumph.
Braxton may not actually be a resident of Newbern.
According to a press release from Bachus Brom & Taylor LLC, a law firm representing Braxton's 2025 municipal election opponent Laird Cole, Braxton resigned his mayoral post this week.
"Braxton does not now, and did not at the time of filing his Statement of Candidacy or at the time of the Election, reside at 144 Bryant Street in Newbern, or at any other address within the city limits of Newbern," Cole said in his 2025 complaint.
Also, according to the release, Braxton denies the allegations in the complaint. However, the challenge was dismissed in an order approving the confidential settlement.
"Under Alabama law, it's now up to the Town Council to fill the vacancy," the Bachus Brom & Taylor release stated. "The law does not allow the judge to order a new election or declare Cole the winner, but only authorizes referral to the Town Council to appoint a new mayor."
"I hope this council will adopt an unbiased process for appointing the next mayor of Newbern and not be swayed by any previous recommendation or support they received from Patrick Braxton." Cole said.
"I was the only qualified candidate for mayor, and I would be mayor today if my opponent had not falsified his candidate papers," Cole added. "Even though the court can't put me in office today, this was an important case for election integrity and the rule of law."
"If you're not legally qualified to run, you're not legally qualified to serve," Bryan Taylor, Cole's legal counsel, said. "Mr. Braxton is no longer serving as mayor."
Jeff Poor is the editor-in-chief of 1819 News and host of "The Jeff Poor Show," heard Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-noon on Mobile's FM Talk 106.5. To connect or comment, email [email protected] or follow him on Twitter @jeff_poor.
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