Walt Maddox
Walter "Walt" Maddox (born December 27, 1972 in Tuscaloosa) is the Mayor of Tuscaloosa. He was a Tuscaloosa City Council representative between 2001– 2005 and was elected in 2005 to succeed Alvin A. DuPont as Mayor of Tuscaloosa. Maddox is a Tuscaloosa native and a graduate of Tuscaloosa Central High School. He earned his bachelors degree in political science and Master's degree in public administration both from the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB).
Early life
Maddox grew up in Tuscaloosa attending Tuscaloosa Central High School. Graduating in 1991, he attended UAB where he was a member of the football team all four years as a student. Maddox graduated from UAB in 1994 with a degree in political science. After graduating, he served as field director for the Alabama Education Association in the Muscle Shoals area from 1996–1997 and in Tuscaloosa from 1997–2001. In 2001, Maddox accepted a position as personnel director for Tuscaloosa City Schools.
Tuscaloosa City Council
In spring 2001, Maddox announced his intention to run against incumbent Clell Hobson for a seat on the Tuscaloosa City Council in representing District 6. His campaign centered on the development of more job-training programs at Tuscaloosa City Schools, providing for greater public safety in the district and to update the comprehensive land use plan for the city. On August 28, 2001, Maddox was elected to the council with 61 percent of the vote.
Mayor of Tuscaloosa
On August 23, 2005, Maddox forced a runoff against Sammy Watson as neither candidate received at least 50 percent of the total vote. Although finishing second in the initial election, Maddox defeated Watson in the runoff election on September 13 by winning 54 percent of the total vote. With his election, he resigned his position with the Tuscaloosa City Schools. On August 25, 2009, Maddox was reelected for a second term after running unopposed. As mayor, some, but not all, of the issues Maddox has overseen the completion of the Tuscaloosa Amphitheater, continued improvements in school performance and completion of numerous neighborhood planning studies. In the wake of the devastating April 2011 tornado outbreak, Maddox established the Rebuild Tuscaloosa Task Force to develop recovery strategies for the city.
Maddox was elected to his fourth term on March 7, 2017. He defeated challenger Stepfon "Step" Lewis by a margin of 5,596 to 541.
Outside politics
Maddox is married to Stephanie Roberts Maddox and has two children Trey and Taylor. He is an avid runner and has completed several marathons including the 2010 Mercedes Marathon, 2006 Mercedes Half-marathon and 1999 Vulcan Run.
References
- Bowen, Kevin (August 29, 2001) "Maddox unseats Hobson on council". p. 1A The Tuscaloosa News
- Taylor, Stephanie (August 24, 2005) "No new mayor – Yet". p. 1A The Tuscaloosa News
- Taylor, Stephanie (September 4, 2005) "Mayoral candidates discuss life, politics". p. 1A The Tuscaloosa News
- Taylor, Stephanie (September 14, 2005) "Maddox is new mayor". p. 1A The Tuscaloosa News
- DeWitt, Robert (August 26, 2009) "Incumbents sweep all City Council races". The Tuscaloosa News
- Taylor, Stephanie (May 6, 2011) "City weighs options for rebuilding." The Tuscaloosa News.
Preceded by: Alvin A. DuPont |
Mayor of Tuscaloosa 2005 – |
Succeeded by: Incumbent |
Preceded by: Clell Hobson |
Tuscaloosa City Council District 6 2001 – 2005 |
Succeeded by: Bob Lundell |
External links
- Maddox's bio at ci.tuscaloosa.al.us
- Walter Maddox for Mayor website