Unofficial election results show that Montgomery Mayor Steven Reed successfully secured his re-election on Tuesday by defeating three opponents in the mayoral race.
In 2019, Reed won by a significant margin, making history as Montgomery’s first Black mayor. He took the reins from Todd Strange, who had served for ten years and decided not to run for re-election. This was a momentous occasion for the capital city, and Reed’s election was a significant step forward for representation in politics.
According to unofficial results, with 40 out of 41 precincts reporting, Reed received 57% of the vote this year. As of 9 p.m., Reed had received 22,830 votes.
During his victory speech, aired on WSFA 12 News, Mayor Steven Reed acknowledged that the past four years have been a mix of the most rewarding and the most challenging of his life. However, he expressed that the honour of serving the people of the great city of Montgomery far surpasses any dilemma or challenge he has faced. Reed referred to his tenure as a “redemptive” experience.
According to Reed, he is committed to enhancing public services and economic prospects for the people of Montgomery. He believes in implementing policies such as guaranteed income, which would require the support and involvement of community members. Reed’s aim is to work collaboratively with residents to bring about positive change in the region.
He mentioned that the old Montgomery that many people might be interested in is now a thing of the past. It is gone and will never return.
In the recent elections, Reed emerged victorious against his opponents Barrett Gilbreath, Marcus McNeal, and Victorrus Felder. It’s worth mentioning that all three of his contenders are local entrepreneurs and a 15-year correctional officer who prioritized reducing crime in the city. Despite their noble cause, Reed’s campaign was successful in securing the majority of votes.
After relocating to Florida during the peak of the pandemic, Gilbreath, a real estate investor, has returned to Montgomery and secured an impressive 39% of the vote, equating to 15,605 votes.
Gilbreath has been advocating for hiring additional police officers, allocating funds for after-school programs, enhancing city services, and investing in community centers.
Out of the total number of registered voters in the city, 40,224 people cast their ballots. Felder received 3.32% of the vote, while McNeal received only 1%.
In 2012, Montgomery County made history by electing their first African American probate judge, Reed. Not only was he the first African American to hold the position, but he was also the youngest. His father, Joe Reed, is a prominent figure as the leader of the Alabama Democratic Conference.
According to his campaign website, Reed’s primary focus when he first took office was on improving local public schools, neighbourhoods, public safety, and transportation. Throughout his term, he’s made significant strides in these areas, including spearheading an initiative to increase property taxes and bringing 2,000 new jobs to the city. He has also worked to triple the number of city contracts awarded to minority-owned businesses.
Reed was honored with the Dr. Martin Luther King Leadership Award for Governmental Service in 2020, and he was also selected as a New Deal Leader. Additionally, he is currently participating in the Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative, which is a prestigious program designed to assist mayors in tackling intricate challenges within their respective communities. Despite his impressive achievements, Reed’s tenure has been marred by controversy.
Recently, a prominent activist in Montgomery took legal action against Reed for making defamatory remarks in connection with a set of leaked recordings. The leaked audio clips, which surfaced in February, allegedly feature Reed making comments suggesting that his political survival is contingent upon the support of white voters and that Montgomery’s economy relies heavily on “white money”. The activist filed a lawsuit against Reed for defamation.
Reed responded publicly to the recordings, stating that they were “heavily edited” and originated from a conversation that occurred three years prior with a member of the community during the 2020 protests against police brutality. Reed went on to accuse this individual, whose identity he did not disclose, of trying to extort him.
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