First Black Mayor of Alabama Town Locked Out of Office Wins Election

The incumbent Mayor Patrick Braxton was re-elected as the mayor of Newbern, Alabama, winning 66 votes to his opponent's 26 in the recent election. This victory comes after a previous dispute where White residents prevented him from serving as mayor.

Newbern, a small town with a population of 133 people, had not held an election since at least the 1960s. The town's government operated without elections, with mayors appointing successors and council members. This led to a predominantly White government in a town where Black residents outnumber White residents 2-1.

Braxton, who had faced obstacles in assuming his mayoral duties after winning the position unopposed in 2020, finally took office last year following a legal battle. The recent election marked the town's first election in decades, held under a federal settlement that addressed the governance dispute.

The settlement agreement included provisions for a mayoral election in 2025. Braxton's sole challenger in the recent election was Laird Cole, a White auctioneer and Realtor. Braxton's victory was seen as a significant moment for Newbern, ensuring democratic governance and fair representation for all residents.

Reflecting on his win, Braxton expressed satisfaction with the outcome and stated that the election results clearly show the support he has from the town's residents.