Brian K. Rice Runs for Mayor with Vision to Revitalize Birmingham's Neglected Neighborhoods

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Mechanical engineer and civic advocate Brian K. Rice has officially qualified to run for Mayor of Birmingham in the city's August 26, 2025 municipal election, bringing a platform focused on economic equity, ethical governance, and neighborhood revitalization. A resident of Ensley and graduate of Ramsay High School, Rice says his campaign is rooted in a desire to restore dignity and opportunity to communities long overlooked by city leadership.

"I make over six figures. I could live anywhere," Rice said in a recent interview. "But I choose to live in Ensley because I believe in its potential. I want every neighborhood to feel as safe and peaceful as Highland Park - and that starts with getting resources where they've been intentionally withheld".

Platform Priorities

Rice's campaign centers on three major pillars:

- Economic Development: Rice advocates for restoring rather than demolishing vacant buildings, especially in underserved business districts like Ensley, Wylam, and North Birmingham. He believes revitalization will spur job creation, support families, and strengthen communities.

- Ethical Governance: Calling for greater transparency, Rice proposes reforms to the Mayor-Council Act to ensure separation of powers. He supports giving the City Council its own legal representation and more authority over budget decisions, which he says are currently dominated by the executive branch.

- Crime Prevention and Workforce Development: Rather than focusing solely on gun laws, Rice emphasizes altering "destructive paths" through job training, entrepreneurship support, and youth mentorship programs.

Rice has also criticized what he sees as a pattern of political neglect. "There's experience in turning a blind eye to the hurting," he said. "We need leaders who speak up when communities are suffering".

A Broader Vision Beyond Ensley

Though known for his advocacy in Ensley - including a high-profile dispute over a zero-value appraisal of his downtown property - Rice insists his campaign is about more than one neighborhood. He's called for targeted investment in areas like Collegeville, Harriman Park, Powderly, and Central Park, and has hosted open forums to discuss policies affecting property values and business growth in the West End.

"We can have a strong Lakeview and Avondale and Highland," Rice said. "But we can also have a strong Ensley, Central Park, and West End. We just need the will to invest".

Election Outlook

Rice joins a diverse field of nine candidates, including incumbent Mayor Randall Woodfin, State Rep. Juandalynn Givan, and Jefferson County Commissioner Lashunda Scales. While some view him as an underdog, Rice rejects that label. "I would never look at them as heavyweights," he said. "I would never give anybody that much power over my mind".

His campaign has drawn attention from civic groups and neighborhood leaders, particularly those concerned about Birmingham's uneven development and lack of transparency in city government.