2003 Birmingham mayoral election
The 2003 mayoral election for the city of Birmingham was held on October 14, 2003 with 18 challengers vying for the office held by incumbent Bernard Kincaid. 44,806 voters (37% of those eligible) returned ballots. Kincaid and Carole Smitherman advanced to a runoff on November 4. With 46,842 ballots cast, Kincaid held onto his post by a margin of 4,076 votes.
A principal issue during the election was an ongoing standoff between the mayor and the Birmingham City Council. All candidates pledged to break the gridlock and work with the council. Kincaid's campaign benefitted in the runoff from a $150,000 from the Voter News Network headed by Donald Watkins. Kincaid had refused a $17,500 donation from the same group in the general election.
Results
- Bernard Kincaid (incumbent) 14,442 votes (32.2%), 25,459 votes in runoff (54%)
- Carole Smitherman 10,185 votes (22.7%), 21,383 votes in runoff (46%)
- William Bell 8,077 votes (18.0%)
- Bob Jones 5,402 votes (12.0%)
- Paul Hollman 2,131 votes (4.8%)
- Lee Loder 1,767 votes (3.9%)
- Roderick Royal 1,700 votes (3.8%)
- T. C. Cannon 196 votes (0.43%)
- Frank Matthews 178 votes (0.40%)
- Gwen Sykes 170 votes (0.38%)
- Mary Jones 132 votes (0.29%)
- Willis Hendrix 94 votes (0.21%)
- Eloise Crenshaw 69 votes (0.15%)
- Stephannie Huey 63 votes (0.14%)
- Sandra Bergeron 58 votes (0.13%)
- Eugene Edelman 54 votes (0.12%)
- James King 49 votes (0.11%)
- Brian Taylor 39 votes (0.09%)
Forums
Notable candidate forums were held at the Jefferson County Center for Economic Opportunity on August 26, at 6th Avenue Baptist Church in August 28, and at Huffman High School on September 2.
References
- Reynolds, Ed (September 11, 2003) "Rhetorical Flourish" Black & White
- Reynolds, Ed (October 9, 2003) "Business as Usual" Black & White
- Reynolds, Ed (November 20, 2003) "Peace in the Valley?" Black & White
External links
- Election results at WBHM.org