Lashunda Scales

Age: 54

Residence: Huffman

Political experience: Ran for the Birmingham City Council in 2005, losing to Joel Montgomery in a runoff. Finished second in the primary to incumbent Oliver Robinson in a bid for Alabama House District 58 in 2006. Was elected District 1 representative to the City Council in November 2009 and served nearly 3 terms. Defeated George Bowman for District 1 seat on the Jefferson County Commission in 2018.

Professional experience: Owner, Scales PR Marketing Firm Inc., February 2000-present. Has worked for several other businesses, including some that are family owned and operated.

Civic experience: Partner In Education, Birmingham City Schools; former vice president, Echo Highlands Neighborhood Association; former board member, Family Involvement Program; former chair, Huffman High School FBLA marketing committee.

Education: Attended Stillman College; associate’s, Jefferson State; Harvard University Kennedy School of Government, 2015; Leadership Birmingham, 2016; Leadership Alabama XXXI, 2021-2022.

Main Issues: According to her website, the candidate said she intends to be tough on violent crime by empowering experienced Birmingham Police Department leaders to fight crime, restoring the BPD to full staffing of 900-plus sworn officers, restore police patrol in high-crime areas and go after violent criminals with swift arrest, prosecution and maximum punishment. She wants to aggressively fight to retake the Birmingham Water Works and fend off any attempts by the state to assume any city assets. The candidate also plans to aggressively recruit new businesses to locate in Birmingham city limits and prioritize local entities to provide city goods and services

Campaign: scalesbhm.com