Jefferson County Treasurer Eyrika Parker Democrat Age: 46 Hometown: Birmingham Political experience: Ran for Jefferson County circuit clerk in 2018 but lost in the primary runoff. Professional experience: Has worked in a variety of fields, from law to media. Shortly after earning her law degree, Parker started working in the circuit clerk’s office in 2005 as
State Board of Education, District 7 Belinda Palmer McRae Party: Republican Hometown: Hamilton Political experience: Vice chair of the Alabama State GOP Executive Committee and vice chair of the Marion County Republican Party. Professional experience: Worked as a K-12 educator for 25 years and as an adjunct instructor at Bevill State Community College for more than 10
ALABAMA 10th JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, PLACE 2 Shanta’ Owens Democrat Age: 41 Residence: Birmingham. Political Experience: Appointed to Circuit Court in 2019 by Gov. Key Ivey; elected district judge in 2008 and 2014. Education: Alabama State University, B.S.; Louisiana State University School of Law, J.D.; also attended Université D’Aix-Marseille III in Aix-en-Provence, France, earning a Bachelor
Alabama Court of Civil Appeals, Place 1 William C. “Bill” Thompson Republican Age: 58 Residence: Vestavia Hills Political Experience: Elected to the Court of Civil Appeals, 1996, 2002, 2008, 2014. Presiding judge since 2007. Professional Experience: Practiced law in Birmingham and Montgomery, assistant legal adviser to the late Gov. Guy Hunt. Member of Judicial Inquiry
Circuit Court Judge, 10th Judicial Circuit, Place 10 Patrick James Ballard Democrat Age: 66 Residence: Birmingham Political Experience: Candidate for Circuit Court judge, 2012; Circuit Court judge since January 2015. Professional Experience: Solo practitioner, Ballard Law Firm. from May 1, 2000 to January 2015; previously 15 years in construction industry. Education: Texas A&M University, B.S., 1976;
U.S. House of Representatives, AL District 6 Gary Palmer Party: Republican Age: 66 Residence: Hoover Political experience: Member, U.S. House of Representatives, Alabama District 6, 2015-present; member, Gov. Robert Bentley’s Task Force to Strengthen Alabama Families; member, Alabama Commission on Improving State Government; advisor, Gov. Fob James’ Aerospace, Science, and Technology Task Force; member, Welfare
U.S. House of Representatives, Alabama District 7 Terri Sewell Party: Democrat Age: 55 Residence: Birmingham Political experience: Member, U.S. House of Representatives, Alabama District 7, 2011-present. Professional experience: Shareholder, Maynard, Cooper & Gale, P.C., 2005-present; Associate, Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP, 1994-2005; law clerk, Judge U.W. Clemon, Northern District of Alabama, 1993-1994. Civic experience: Board
COVID-19 cases in Alabama are surging just as Birmingham sees its first few flu cases, UAB epidemiologist Rachael Lee said Friday. The rise in the number of COVID-19 infections mirrors trends across most of the country, Lee told reporters. She urged people to continue to wash their hands, wear masks and maintain social distancing — measures that reduce the spread of both COVID-19 and influenza. Lee also recommended getting the flu vaccine since UAB has already diagnosed several patients with the flu. “Places like Chile and Australia who just had their flu season had very, very low numbers because they were following all of these other COVID-19 mitigation strategies. So I'm hopeful that that, in addition to the flu vaccine, will really protect our community from seeing a surge,” Lee said. Read more.
Assistant Tax Assessor, Bessemer Division of Jefferson County Brandon Herren Republican Age: 39 Residence: Hueytown Political experience: Ran unsuccessfully for deputy treasurer in 2016 Professional experience: Systems administrator and Realtor; holds real estate and insurance licenses. Civic experience: Member of Masonic Lodge 617 and participates in charitable events. Education: Graduate of Hueytown High School; attended
Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin says the proposed sale of several city-owned parking decks is an opportunity to lessen the economic damage done to the city by COVID-19 — including bringing back furloughed public library employees. Woodfin said in an interview with BirminghamWatch that the city received an unsolicited offer from Birmingham Economic Development Partners LLC — a group founded last month by Shipt founder Bill Smith, according to paperwork filed in Jefferson County Probate Court — to purchase six of the city’s 11 parking decks for a total of $41 million. If the sale is approved by the City Council, the city could receive that money in one lump sum in 60 days — which could go a long way toward offsetting the $63 million budget shortfall caused by COVID-19. Among other things, Woodfin says, the money would go toward reinstating library employees who were furloughed as a result of severe budget cuts. Read more.
