Jefferson County Commission District 4

J.T. Smallwood

Party: Democrat

Age: 52

Residence: Trussville

Political experience: Elected to three terms as Jefferson County Tax Collector, 2002, 2008, 2014.

Professional experience: 1995-99, Smallwood Law Firm; 1999-2002, Jefferson County Family Court; UAB Hockey coach: 2017-2018, assistant coach, 2018-2019, volunteer head coach.

Education: UAB, bachelor’s; studied theology, Samford University; Birmingham School of Law, juris doctorate.

Civic experience: Served on many boards and civic causes; Iron Sharpeners-Discipleship Leader.

Main issues: “We have much work to do to clean up the county and stop wasteful spending. We must strive to capitalize on economic opportunities that present themselves, like the new football stadium. The new commission must be insistent that we allow skilled Alabama workers to bid on these jobs. Our local workers buy houses and cars in this community. When this happens, we all win. Wasting money on out-of-state law firms will not happen on my watch. We have bright, capable lawyers in this community. To go outside this region sends the wrong message. We must be responsive to citizens’ needs. Major policy blunders relative to bankruptcy, sewer rate mishandling and other issues tell us that the big winners are big companies, not our senior citizens and certainly not our future generation which will inherent these long tenured issues. I believe with God’s wisdom we can turn this county around.”

Top contributors: $6,500: Iron Workers Local No. 92, Birmingham. $2,500: Liberty House LLC, Birmingham. $2,048: loan to self. $1,000, F. Wayne Brewster LLC, Trussville; IBEW Local Union 136 Political Action