Bessemer Sets Sept. 22 Mayoral Runoff as Council and School Board Flip

BESSEMER, Ala. — Complete results from Bessemer’s Aug. 25 municipal election set a Sept. 22 Bessemer mayoral runoff between incumbent Mayor Kenneth Gulley and challenger Louise Alexander, alongside City Council turnovers and a new majority of newcomers on the Board of Education.

All 12 reporting units are now accounted for, more than a week after Election Day, ABC 33/40 reported. The delayed final tally followed an unusual post-election snag: Jefferson County officials said a thumb drive with outstanding results was placed in the wrong locked box and required a court order to retrieve. Media were initially told of an IT problem election night; a city clerk later said there had never been an IT issue.

With certified numbers in, Bessemer voters still have unfinished business at the polls.

Why the Bessemer mayoral runoff matters

Gulley finished first in the four-person mayoral race with 1,809 votes (45.11%). Alexander placed second with 1,644 votes (41%). Darral Bethel received 466 votes (11.62%), and Brenita Lewis received 91 (2.27%). Neither Gulley nor Alexander cleared a majority, so they advance to the runoff.

The next mayor will lead a city still wrestling with Project Marvel, a proposed multibillion-dollar data center that has driven debates over economic development, transparency, and neighborhood impact. That backdrop makes council and school-board composition especially consequential for residents.

On the City Council, two incumbents lost outright. In District 3, Cynthia Donald defeated Sarah Person, 418–222. In District 5, Kelvin Eades defeated Teco Stephens, 303–223. District 6 heads to a runoff between Valerie Williams (217) and incumbent Carla Jackson (180). District 7 also goes to a runoff: incumbent Cleophus King (266, 49.63%) versus Silas Baldwin (191). District 1’s closest race saw incumbent Jarvis Collier beat Michael Knight by two votes, 252–250. Donna Thigpen held District 4; Chester Porter was unopposed in District 2. At least two new council members are guaranteed; a third is possible if Williams unseats Jackson.

The Bessemer Board of Education will see even larger change. Three members did not seek reelection, and voters defeated Board President Terry Dawson — Remeka Little won District 2, 395–353. That combination guarantees newcomers at least four of seven seats. Elaine Holifield won open District 1; Tasha Wynn-Scott was unopposed in District 3; incumbent Sam Morris was unopposed in District 4; Vice President Lee Jones held District 7. District 5 and open District 6 also advance to runoffs.

The turnover arrives while Bessemer City Schools remain under state intervention over academics, finances, and governance concerns reported by local media.

A separate legal challenge adds uncertainty but remains unproven. Third-place mayoral finisher Darral Bethel filed an emergency complaint Aug. 26 asking a Jefferson County judge to examine whether Gulley and Lewis met residency requirements to run, seeking review of voter registration, utility, and property records. Bethel has asked for an expedited hearing; the claims are allegations in a pending case and have not been established by a court. WVTM and ABC 33/40 have reported the suit alongside the runoff schedule. Never Late News will treat residency questions as unresolved until a judge rules.

Alabama’s September calendar already includes other election-administration stories, such as Alabama absentee ballot mailing timelines. Nationally, readers comparing local runoff stakes with larger fights can look to Rhode Island’s primary, Missouri’s congressional map litigation, and federal USPS mail-ballot disputes — different arenas, same demand for clear rules before ballots go out.

Bessemer’s runoff date is Sept. 22 for mayor, two council seats, and two school-board seats.

How Never Late News reported this

Vote totals and office-by-office outcomes are drawn from ABC 33/40’s complete-results report after all 12 units reported. Residency-lawsuit context is attributed to ABC 33/40 and WVTM coverage of Bethels Aug. 26 filing and is labeled as allegation only. Project Marvel and state-intervention background are summarized from the same local reporting packages; we did not independently canvass precinct binders.

Primary source: ABC 33/40 on Bessemer’s complete municipal results and runoff.

Corrections and reader feedback

Candidates, the Jefferson County Registrar, or city clerks with the official canvass PDF or a hearing date in the Bethel residency case may email tips@neverlatenews.com. We will correct any misstated margin or runoff office list immediately.