Birmingham City Council, District 5

 Richard E. Franklin Jr.

 Age: 40

Residence: Smithfield

Political races: None

Political experience: None

Professional experience: President, Birmingham Federation of Teachers Local 2115, 2011-present; Birmingham City Schools, 2006-11, swim team coach, City of Birmingham Park and Recreation, 2005-2011

Civic experience: Member, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People; member, Southern Christian Leadership Conference; vice president, State American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations; president, Birmingham Federation of Teachers, Local 2115; member, American Federation of Teachers Racial Task Force

Education: Lawson State Community College, 2004; A.H. Parker High School, 1999

 Significant endorsements: Central Labor Council, Workers Family Party

 Top contributors: Self, loan, $5,000

 Main Issues: Address blight, communicate to neighborhoods in real time and assist in creating youth programs, while supporting existing programs; bring down the city’s rising crime rate; fight for the city, especially the children; work to connect people and opportunities for children and families; enforce the leash law, with GBHS to address stray animals, and with the mayor’s office to expedite cleaning neighborhoods; give all communities the visibility and transparency they desire

 Campaign: rfranklindistrict5.com