Patrick Braxton Decisively Reelected as Newbern, Alabama Mayor After Historic Legal Battle

Patrick Braxton, the first Black mayor of Newbern, Alabama, has been overwhelmingly reelected this week, securing a decisive victory with 66 votes against his opponent’s 26. This election marks a pivotal moment for the tiny town, concluding a four-year dispute over local governance that garnered national attention.

Braxton’s reelection is particularly significant as it represents Newbern’s first mayoral election since at least the 1960s, held under a federal settlement. This settlement was the result of a lawsuit filed by Black residents, including Braxton, challenging what they described as the town’s long-standing ‘hand-me-down governance’ and their refusal to allow Braxton to serve after he ran unopposed in 2020.

His previous attempt to take office in 2020 was met with resistance, including allegations that he was locked out of the town hall and denied access to financial accounts, despite being the only candidate. After a three-year legal battle, Braxton finally began serving last year. His victory this week, against a White challenger, Laird Cole, solidifies his mandate and is seen by many as a restoration of democratic principles in a town where Black residents outnumber White residents 2-1 but historically had an overwhelmingly White government.

Speaking after his win, Mayor Braxton emphasized, “The people came out and spoke and voted. Now, there ain’t no doubt what they want for this town.” The SPLC Action Fund, which endorsed Braxton, echoed this sentiment, stating that his election “represents a turning point for Newbern, restoring democratic governance, ensuring fair representation, and reaffirming that every resident has a voice in their local government.”

阅读中文版 (Read Chinese Version)

Disclaimer: This content is aggregated from public sources online. Please verify information independently. If you believe your rights have been infringed, contact us for removal.