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

Fourteen candidates filed qualification papers at the Jefferson County Court of Probate before the November 17 deadline:

Emory Anthony, a criminal defense attorney, announced candidacy on November 9
William Bell, Jefferson County Commissioner and former interim mayor
T. C. Cannon, former bar owner and serial candidate
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
Steven Hoyt, a Birmingham City Council representative in his 2nd term, announced on November 13.
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
Jason Sumners, owner of Sumners Publishing Group
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

Richard Arrington, Jr, a former 5-term Mayor of Birmingham, Mary Moore, member of the Alabama House of Representatives and Cedric Sparks, director of the Mayor's Division of Youth Services, were mentioned as possible candidates, but did not run.

Three forums and a public debate 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 was held on November 17, 2009 at Huffman High School's auditorium, with all declared candidates invited to participate.
The Birmingham Business Alliance hosted a forum focusing on economic development issues on November 30 at the Alabama School of Fine Arts. Bell, Cannon, Hoyt, Huey, Mayomi, Smitherman, Sumners, Trautwein and Turner participated. (audio)
A "2009 Catalyst Mayoral Forum", sponsored by Catalyst for Birmingham and moderated by Natalie Davis was held on Tuesday December 1 at WorkPlay. Six candidates were invited to participate. Anthony, Bell, Douglas, Hoyt and Smitherman all attended. Patrick Cooper sent regrets as he had a prior engagement. (audio)
A new group, called Birmingham Roundtable, announced a debate on December 3 at the Highland Conference Center with five candidates invited (Anthony, Bell, Cooper, Hoyt and Smitherman)

Former mayor Larry Langford endorsed William Bell because he has consistently supported his initiatives.

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
Archibald, John (November 18, 2009) "Archibald: Ranking the mayoral hopefuls." Birmingham News
Dean, Chuck (November 29, 2009) "Apathy, hope voiced before Birmingham mayoral vote." Birmingham News
Bryant, Joseph D. (December 1, 2009) "Larry Langford endorses William Bell for mayor." Birmingham News