Vote 2009: Carole Smitherman running for mayor
By Wade KwonCarole Smitherman, who has been serving as interim mayor for the past 2 weeks, wants a shot at the real thing.
Smitherman announced today her intent to enter the race, after having run unsuccessfully in 2003 and 2007. She said her official announcement is coming, but only after she takes care of more city business.
And she has been busy. As city council president, she automatically became mayor with former mayor Larry Langford’s conviction in October. She fired chief of staff Deborah Vance-Bowie and accepted the resignation of finance director Steve Sayler, all related to the city budget which may be missing $20 million.
Vance-Bowie countered Smitherman’s claim that Vance-Bowie was partially responsible for the city’s budget problems, sharing a series of e-mails between her and Sayler to illustrate Sayler’s lack of cooperation.
Smitherman, an attorney, has served on the council since 2001. Before that, she served as a circuit court judge, municipal court judge and prosecutor for the City of Irondale.
Her candidacy makes for a field of six, including Emory Anthony, Patrick Cooper, Stephannie Huey, Edith Mayomi and Jimmy Snow.
Her campaign site, SmithermanforBirmingham.com, from her 2009 council bid is still online.
The election takes place Dec. 8.
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