David Russell Campaigns for Birmingham Mayor with Vision to Restore City's Prominence

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - David Russell, a retired insurance salesman and longtime civic observer, has entered the race for Mayor of Birmingham in the city's August 26, 2025 municipal election. Known for his consistent presence at City Council and Jefferson County Commission meetings, Russell says he's ready to move from the audience to the helm - bringing bold ideas to restore Birmingham's status as Alabama's leading city.

"I want to bring Birmingham back to being the No. 1 city," Russell said. "We used to get federal grants. We need to grow again."

A Platform Rooted in Growth and Equity

Russell's campaign centers on ambitious revitalization and annexation plans:

- Ensley as a Cultural and Economic Hub: He envisions transforming downtown Ensley into a "Black Wall Street," inspired by Tulsa's historic district. Plans include renaming 19th Street for Eddie Kendricks and Avenue I for Paul Williams, both members of The Temptations, and developing a Bourbon Street-style entertainment corridor.

- Infrastructure and Civic Investment: Russell proposes building a hotel on the former Ramsay-McCormick site and converting the E.D. Nixon Building into a civic center housing offices for City Council Districts 8 and 9, as well as County Commission Districts 1 and 2.

- Youth Engagement in Public Safety: He wants to place four students at every police and fire precinct to create a pipeline of locally trained officers and firefighters, restoring community familiarity and trust.

- Employee Incentives: Every new hire under his administration would receive either $15,000 or a plot of land to build a home - a move aimed at stabilizing neighborhoods and attracting talent.

Annexation and Expansion

Russell's vision includes annexing surrounding municipalities such as Lipscomb, Brighton, Fairfield, Midfield, and Forestdale. He also proposes developing a riverboat attraction near Alabama 269 to boost tourism and economic activity.

"We want to bring all of them into the city," he said. "That's how we grow and get back to the top."

Critique of Current Leadership

Russell has criticized incumbent Mayor Randall Woodfin for incomplete projects, including the restoration of the historic A.G. Gaston Motel and delays in funding for the Fourth Avenue Business District. He argues that neighborhoods like Ensley have been overlooked in favor of areas like Woodlawn.

Political Background

Though never elected, Russell has run for office multiple times, including bids for the Birmingham City Council District 9 seat and the Alabama House District 60. He is a member of both the Jefferson County and Alabama Democratic Executive Committees and previously served as an administrative assistant at Alaba