Wade on Birmingham

EXCLUSIVE: Abbott to run for mayor

By

valerie abbott

Valerie Abbott, city council member since 2001, will run for mayor of Birmingham. She joins only one other declared candidate, attorney Patrick Cooper, in this year’s campaign.

Abbott began exploring a possible candidacy earlier this year, sending out letters to gauge financial backing. Earlier this evening, she said that while fund-raising continues, she has decided to run and will formally announce in mid- to late May.

Other potential candidates crowding the field include two-term incumbent Bernard Kincaid, county commissioner (and former Fairfield mayor) Larry Langford, and city council members William Bell and Carole Smitherman.

The election takes place Oct. 9.

Also, Abbott announced her intention to reintroduce a resolution affirming the city’s commitment to inclusion. The measure failed at a March 27 council meeting by a 4-3-1 vote. Abbott says she has the votes this time, saying that Maxine Parker won’t abstain again, and that William Bell — absent during the previous vote — will support the resolution, along with council president Carole Smitherman and Carol Duncan.

The resolution condemns discrimination based on “age, ancestry, creed, color, gender, income, mental or physical disability, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation or gender identity.” The issue of sexual orientation proved to be a sticking point for dissenting councilors Steven Hoyt, Miriam Witherspoon, Joel Montgomery and Roderick Royal. Abbott will reintroduce the measure pending the return of Bell, who’s dealing with a family medical situation.

• • •

More headlines | send us your news tips.

4 Yips for “EXCLUSIVE: Abbott to run for mayor”

  1. The Terminal
    Wednesday, April 25, 2007, 7:14 am
    1

    Abbott had already announced her intention to reintroduce the resolution ,a href=”http://bhamterminal.com/blog/2007/04/04/more-discussion-about-inclusion-at-tuesdays-council-meeting/”>at the April 3 meeting of the council. Bell also announced his intentions to support the resolution at that same meeting.

  2. The Terminal
    Wednesday, April 25, 2007, 7:16 am
    2

    Abbott had already announced her intention to reintroduce the resolution at the April 3 meeting of the council. Bell also announced his intentions to support the resolution at that same meeting.

  3. The Terminal
    Tuesday, May 15, 2007, 3:06 pm
    3

    Abbott reintroduced the resolution on May 15 and it was unanimously approved 8-0 (Joel Montgomery was not in attendance).

    http://bhamterminal.com/blog/2007/05/15/inclusion-resolution-passes-unanimously/

  4. Election season is heating up
    Monday, June 18, 2007, 10:19 am
    4

    […] only candidate that has officially announced is Patrick Cooper, though there are reports that Valerie Abbott intends to announce her candidacy soon. […]

Leave a Yip

Subscribe without commenting