2009 Birmingham mayoral election

The 2009 mayoral election for the city of Birmingham is a special election planned for December 8, 2009 to fill the office of Mayor of Birmingham left vacant by the conviction of Larry Langford after his trial on federal corruption charges. Candidates have until November 17 to qualify.

Candidates

As of November 11, nine candidates have announced that they would enter the race and/or filed qualification papers at the Jefferson County Court of Probate:

• Emory Anthony, a criminal defense attorney, announced candidacy on November 9
• William Bell, Jefferson County Commissioner and former interim mayor
• Patrick Cooper, an attorney who finished 2nd in the 2007 Birmingham mayoral election, announced candidacy on November 5
• Scott Douglas, of Greater Birmingham Ministries
• Ernie Dunn
• Stephannie Huey, pastor, teacher, and a candidate in the 2003 Birmingham mayoral election
• Edith Mayomi, an employee at Jefferson State Community College, was first to file for the election
• Carole Smitherman, acting Mayor and 3-term councilor, announced on November 10
• Jimmy Snow, Avondale resident, running on a platform of city hall reform
• Jody Trautwein, former head of the Alabama Coalition Against Same-Sex Marriage
• Harry "Traveling Shoes" Turner, an evangelist and clown

Other people considered likely to enter the race include:

• Steven Hoyt, a Birmingham City Council representative in his 2nd term
• Richard Arrington, Jr, former 5-term Mayor of Birmingham
• Robert Kelly, businessman
• Mary Moore, member of the Alabama House of Representatives

Cedric Sparks, director of the Mayor's Division of Youth Services, was mentioned as a possible candidate, but announced that he would not run.

Campaign forums

Two forums have been scheduled so far:

• A "Birmingham Mayoral Candidates' Political Forum" sponsored by the Jefferson County Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta and the Huffman High School PTA is scheduled for November 17, 2009 at Huffman High School's auditorium, with all declared candidates invited to participate.
• A "2009 Catalyst Mayoral Forum", sponsored by Catalyst for Birmingham and moderated by Natalie Davis is scheduled for December 1 at WorkPlay. All "major candidates" will be invited.

References

• Dean, Chuck (November 1, 2009) "Birmingham mayoral hopefuls may flood new race." Birmingham News
• Bryant, Joseph D. (November 2, 2009) "Birmingham mayoral election set for Dec. 8." Birmingham News
• Bryant, Joseph D. (November 8, 2009) "Emory Anthony to announce run for mayor Monday." Birmingham News
• Archibald, John (November 11, 2009) "Imagine that -- clowns, visionaries try to fill Langford's shoes." Birmingham News
• Natta, André (November 12, 2009) "Election '09: Let the mayoral forums begin" The Terminal

External links

• Official results at Jeffcointouch.com
• League of Women Voters of Greater Birmingham website