By james art 
Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin has officially launched his third -term campaign with an event on Saturday at Iron City in downtown Birmingham. He started his speech with the song “Not Like Us” by rapper Kendrick Lamar. Referring to Lamar’s texts, “Sometimes you have to pop up and show them,” Woodfin talks about what he has achieved as mayor or what he calls “showing receipts” about what he did.
“Some people received amnesia. You have to remind the people of the investments we have made in this city, the impact we have made in the communities, “Woodfin said.
He said this campaign was about the construction of a city that works for all its inhabitants.
“It means fixing our neighborhoods, continuing to fix our neighborhoods, make real investments in public safety, and make sure that every child, every child in Birmingham, has a way to success,” Woodfin said.
He cites his investments in infrastructure, including the remodeling of darkened structures and street pavements. It also does not deviate from what many consider to be the most large problem of Birmingham: Public Safety.
“Crime is not just a gun violence. Crime is also rape and robbery and attacks, burglary and theft and theft of cars. And of these seven categories, I am proud to stand in front of you and I tell you at six of seven of them, we took them down, “Woodfin said.
He said the problems surrounding arms violence would be resolved through investment in the city police station and young people. The city has invested $ 16 million in Birmingham Police Department for raising and detention programs and $ 8 million a year in programs aimed at supporting mental health, conflict resolution and financial literacy. But he said he couldn’t stop crime alone.
“I have recognition. I’m not Batman. Combating crime takes more than one person. And so I am in a room full of pedestrian soldiers who are committed to making sure that we will continue to fight, deal with this problem, and make this community more fascinated for everyone, “Woodfin said.
One of the opponents of Woodfin in the mayoral race is State Representative Huandaline Givan. She said she had heard from several residents that they wanted a new leader. Givan undertook the way crime was addressed in Birmingham and said one of her main tricks would be public safety.
Activist Kamau Africa is also held.
Woodfin said these elections are about Birmingham, which was built by and for the people of Birmingham.
“It is not dictated by Montgomery politicians, it is not controlled by billionaires in Washington,” Woodfin said.
He said that in historically, the federal government did not always do the right thing for Birmingham, but he said at the moment he wanted to lean on the hope he felt in the community.
“I think that at the local level we need to feel authorized to do what we need to improve the quality of life not only with our local tax dollars, but also in partnership with our corporate Birmingham, small business Birmingham, our non -profit purpose Birmingham and the community of Belief in Birmingham and people who want to influence, “Woodfin said.
The election will be held on August 26, 2025.