Randall Woodfin picks up 2 challengers: Lashunda Scales and Chris Woods

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Randall Woodfin
[Photo Credit: Randall Woodfin on Facebook]

Mayor Randall Woodfin now has two candidates running against him this August. During an event to celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Jefferson County Commissioner Lashunda Scales threw her hat in the ring and is the second person to announce their intention to run for mayor of Birmingham. Chris Woods is the other mayoral candidate. 

Al.com reported Scales wants to reduce crime, improve education, and support Birmingham workers.  

Scales stated, “I’m not into being in a fight with anyone because that doesn’t serve the City of Birmingham well. But I will tell you this: If you give me the opportunity to serve as your mayor, not just the first woman mayor, but to serve as your mayor, you will have a seat at the table. That is what I can guarantee.”

Scales was a Birmingham City Council member from 2009-2018 when she was unseated by George Bowman. Scales emphasized that the commission is not about just one person. 

“That’s one of the things I learned about service when I first got there as a city council member in 2009,” she said. “It’s all about everyone that is a stakeholder being at the table, having the necessary conversations, be willing to put aside our differences to recognize that we’re there to serve people and not our own interest. So today I offer myself as a solution.” Scales didn’t answer questions after her announcement but directed people to her campaign website

Mayor Randall Woodfin is expected to run for re-election. Woods announced his campaign earlier in January at The Clubhouse on Highland, WVTM reported. He is running his campaign on education, crime, and neighborhood revitalization. 

Woods stated, “I want to transform this city so that people are coming here, not fleeing here. I want Birmingham to be a place where all people come to live, work, and learn.

“At one time, Birmingham was the conscience of the Movement, and we can make it that way again. We can make Birmingham the conscience of the Nation. It’s time to join together and turn the tragic back to magic. Together, we can bring the magic back to the Magic City.”

The filing deadline for candidates to run for mayor is July 10. The election is Aug. 24, with a runoff on Oct. 5 if needed.