FULL RESULTS: Louise Alexander elected as Bessemer’s first female mayor

BESSEMER, Ala. —

Louise Alexander has been elected as Bessemer’s first female mayor, defeating incumbent Mayor Kenneth Gulley in a runoff election.

Alexander, a former state representative and Bessemer City Council member, is the city’s first new mayor in 16 years. Unofficial results show her leading in the race.

RESULTS (92% REPORTING, LAST UPDATED 10:30 P.M.)

MAYOR

• LOUISE ALEXANDER – 54% (2376)
• KENNETH GULLEY – 45% (1981)

COUNCIL – DISTRICT 6

• VALERIE WILLIAMS – 64% (420)
• CARLA JACKSON – 36% (240)

COUNCIL – DISTRICT 7

• CLEOPHUS KING – 59% (352)
• SILAS BALDWIN – 41% (248)

BOARD OF EDUCATION – DISTRICT 5

• OMAR CHAPMAN – 56% (306)
• MARGIE VARNER – 44% (246)

BOARD OF EDUCATION – DISTRICT 6

• DARRYL AIKERSON – 62% (408)
• GROVER DUNN – 38% (252)

Speaking about her priorities as she prepares to take office in November, Alexander said her focus will remain on the issues she campaigned on, including cleaning up the streets, cutting overgrown lots and building a better Bessemer.

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“Like I stated in my first five days, I’m going to revisit all the contracts concerning the data center because the citizens have the right to know what they can receive and what is in it for them,” Alexander said. “You know, everything that has been talked about, nobody knows about it. So we’re going to actually look into the contracts, lay them out, relook at them, and reevaluate.”

Alexander also emphasized the need for change in the city.

“One of the very first things I’m going to do is the forensic audit. Then as for the communities and stuff, we’re going to break our street departments down into different sections. Every district will have their own cleaning crew, garbage crew and stuff like that. With the potholes and all of that, we’re going to look into the budget for doing potholes and paving. We’re going to redirect our money into our communities,” she said.

Once the election results are certified, Alexander will be sworn into office in November.