The Next Stop In Bernie Sanders Political Revolution Is Birmingham, Alabama

[Donkees]

07/29/2017 08:00 am ET


Excerpt:

In heavily Democratic Birmingham, local elections are nonpartisan, but invariably come down to a battle between Democrats. Woodfin is one of 11 people trying to unseat two-term city mayor William Bell, a fellow African-American Democrat. The 68-year-old Bell has served in elected city posts since 1979 ― two years before Woodfin was born.

If none of the candidates break 50 percent in the Aug. 22 election, there will be a runoff on Oct. 3. It’s expected to be a tough race; in addition to Woodfin, Chris Woods, a 42-year-old construction contractor who has accused Bell’s administration of demanding “pay to play” kickbacks, is considered a serious contender, as is community activist Frank Matthews, 61.

There is no public polling in the race, but if fundraising is any indicator, Woodfin’s campaign pitch and aggressive ground game ― they claim to have knocked on over 35,000 doors ― are paying off. As of the end of June, he had raised $206,000 from more than 2,000 individual contributions. His June fundraising haul exceeded Bell’s by nearly $10,000, according to the candidates’ monthly disclosures. The average donation was $36.50, according to the campaign.

Woodfin has proposed several sweeping progressive reforms, including the creation of a scholarship program that would provide public high school graduates with free tuition at two- or four-year programs at community colleges in Jefferson County, where Birmingham is located. He is calling it the “Fred Shuttlesworth Opportunity Scholarship,” in memory of the Birmingham civil rights leader who withstood beatings, bombings and imprisonment.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/randall-woodfin-political-revolution-birmingham-alabama_us_597b7312e4b02a8434b64655

[Donkees]

1. Randall Woodfin - Running for Mayor of Birmingham - Election: Aug. 22, 2017

Randall Woodfin
Running for Mayor of Birmingham
Alabama
Election: Aug. 22, 2017

Randall was born and raised in Birmingham and was influenced at an early age by parents who worked in social work and elementary education. He earned a B.A. in political science from Morehouse College and later received a J.D. from Samford University.

Woodfin is running for mayor because he wants to make Birmingham work for all of its citizens. He believes that in order for Birmingham to be successful as a city over the long haul — the emphasis has to be on investing in young people. Not just in education, but in all aspects of their lives, in every area that encourages and supports their growth and development and provides them with opportunities to be engaged in the ongoing growth of the city.

Woodfin is running on the following platform:

Investing in Birmingham’s Transportation Infrastructure
Revitalizing Neighborhoods
An Opportunity Agenda for Birmingham Residents and Businesses
Making Neighborhoods Safe and Secure
Restoring Pride and Trust in City Hall
For more detailed information please visit http://www.randallwoodfin.com/woodfinplan

https://ourrevolution.com/candidates/randall-woodfin/