Anniston's 2025 Mayoral Race: A Crossroads of Leadership and Vision

As Anniston prepares to elect its next mayor on August 26, 2025, the city finds itself at a pivotal moment-one shaped by transition, competing visions, and a renewed call for civic engagement. With incumbent Mayor Jack Draper stepping down after more than eight years in office, the race has drawn a diverse field of candidates, each offering a distinct approach to leadership, community development, and the future of one of Alabama's most historically significant cities.

A Changing of the Guard

Mayor Draper's decision not to seek reelection was influenced by a legislative extension of municipal terms in 2021, which added an unexpected year to his tenure. "I didn't think that I would be mayor at this point in time anyway," Draper noted, signaling a graceful exit from a role he's held since 2016. His departure opens the door for new voices and fresh perspectives in a city grappling with economic revitalization, infrastructure challenges, and generational divides.

The Candidates

The 2025 race features a mix of seasoned public servants, civic advocates, and first-time contenders. Among the most prominent names is Ciara Smith, former Vice Mayor and Councilwoman for Ward 3. Smith has positioned herself as a candidate of action and inclusion, emphasizing her record of community service and her commitment to transformational-not incremental-change.

"Anniston deserves transformational progress," Smith said. "We must build safe neighborhoods, attract new businesses, and invest in infrastructure that reflects the pride we have in our hometown".

Smith's platform includes:

• Strengthening law enforcement-community partnerships

• Supporting local entrepreneurs and workforce development

• Enhancing youth engagement and educational partnerships

• Revitalizing public spaces and addressing blight

Her campaign has resonated with voters seeking continuity and experience, especially those familiar with her work on the city council and in neighborhood outreach.

Another notable contender is Michael Woods, a 27-year-old freelance worker and relative newcomer to Anniston. Though he's never held elected office, Woods brings a grassroots sensibility to the race, focusing on food insecurity, disability inclusion, and budget transparency.

Michael Woods

"I want to represent the people who have been overshadowed and had little say," Woods said. "I might have a few disabilities, but that doesn't stop me from doing my best and doing hard work"

Woods has proposed:

• A building reclamation program to address abandoned structures

• Expanded food bank delivery systems for underserved residents

• Budget audits to redirect resources toward community needs

ittle favors redeveloping the Army's former Fort McClellan property.

"The first thing I would like to do with the McClellan property is get who owns the property," Little stated. Little said that he has been in contact with Creek Indians in Oklahoma. He would like to bring gambling to the city..

Former City Manager Steven Folks is also running for the position of Mayor.

"I think the city is headed in the right direction," Folks said. "And I've been a servant for 51 years - 21 years in the Army, 30 years with the city - and the direction the city is going, I think it just excites me and incites me to just continue to be a part of this. I tell everybody about my love and my passion for Anniston - I came here and I became a part of Anniston."

HIS PLAN

After three decades of service to the city of Anniston, Steven Folks is ready to step into a new role: Mayor. The longtime city employee and former City Manager announced his candidacy on April 11. "I think the city is headed in the right direction," Folks said. "And I've been a servant for 51 years - 21 years in the Army, 30 years with the city - and the direction the city is going, I think it just excites me and incites me to just continue to be a part of this. I tell everybody about my love and my passion for Anniston - I came here and I became a part of Anniston."

His candidacy has drawn attention from younger voters and those seeking a more empathetic, bottom-up approach to governance.

Fromer City Councilman Ben Little is also in the race. He is known for his outspoken advocacy on civil rights and municipal accountability

Ben Little

"Anniston has to move up into the 21st century," Little told the Calhoun Journal. "We have to build a new education complex with modern technology and equipment," Little stated, comparing outdated school facilities to a 1968 Ford truck – solid but inadequate for current needs."

Little favors redeveloping the Army's former Fort McClellan property.

"The first thing I would like to do with the McClellan property is get who owns the property," Little stated. Little said that he has been in contact with Creek Indians in Oklahoma. He would like to bring gambling to the city..

Former City Manager Steven Folks is also running for the position of Mayor.

"I think the city is headed in the right direction," Folks said. "And I've been a servant for 51 years - 21 years in the Army, 30 years with the city - and the direction the city is going, I think it just excites me and incites me to just continue to be a part of this. I tell everybody about my love and my passion for Anniston - I came here and I became a part of Anniston."

HIS PLAN

After three decades of service to the city of Anniston, Steven Folks is ready to step into a new role: Mayor. The longtime city employee and former City Manager announced his candidacy on April 11. "I think the city is headed in the right direction," Folks said. "And I've been a servant for 51 years - 21 years in the Army, 30 years with the city - and the direction the city is going, I think it just excites me and incites me to just continue to be a part of this. I tell everybody about my love and my passion for Anniston - I came here and I became a part of Anniston."

Folks' plan includes the Anniston Regional Airport - Through working in unison with local entities we will make our Airport a destination.

For Former Fort McClellan Folks said that there are endless possibilities including: Much-needed housing opportunities, the Katt Williams entertainment venture, which will lead to economic growth, jobs and national exposure, and possibly industrial and commercial development opportunities

Folks also discussed tourism growth highlighting the Freedom Riders Monument, the Bus Burning Site and the Civil Rights Trail - These National Park Service designees have been funded and upon completion will become national historical destinations.

• Kevin Cheatwood, a local business owner emphasizing economic growth and small business support

Kevin Cheatwood

"When I become mayor, we will focus on a Citizens First mentality," said Cheatwood. "We're going back to basics: good customer service. I'm committed to exploring ways to improve how we handle things, including gathering feedback through customer surveys."

"I've been getting messages from some city officials who are upset about my plans to overhaul and reduce city hall staff," said Cheatwqood. "Let me tell you something-these are the same people who have allowed waste, inefficiency, and bureaucracy to run unchecked for years. And now they want you to believe they are the ones who can fix it? Not a chance.

The truth is, if city hall was running efficiently, we wouldn't even be having this conversation. But it's not. Our local government has been bogged down by unnecessary positions, redundant processes, and a "business-as-usual" mentality that puts the system before the people. That changes when I take office. I'm not here to make city officials comfortable-I'm here to make city government work.

Each candidate brings a unique blend of experience, ideology, and community ties, making this one of the most competitive and ideologically diverse mayoral contests Anniston has seen in years.

Key Issues at Stake

While personalities and backgrounds vary, several core issues dominate the conversation:

1. Economic Revitalization

Anniston's downtown corridor and surrounding neighborhoods have long struggled with vacancy, underinvestment, and uneven development. Candidates are proposing a range of solutions-from tax incentives for small businesses to public-private partnerships aimed at restoring historic buildings.

2. Public Safety and Trust

Crime and policing remain central concerns. Smith's emphasis on collaborative law enforcement echoes broader calls for transparency and community policing. Woods, meanwhile, has highlighted the need for inclusive safety measures that consider vulnerable populations.

3. Infrastructure and Blight

From potholes to abandoned homes, infrastructure is a visible and persistent challenge. Candidates have proposed everything from targeted demolition programs to green space expansion and street-level beautification.

4. Youth Engagement and Education

With a growing need to retain young talent and support local schools, candidates are pledging to strengthen partnerships with educational institutions, expand after-school programs, and create pathways to employment for high school graduates.

Community Response and Voter Engagement

The race has sparked renewed interest in local politics, with civic groups hosting forums, churches organizing voter drives, and residents sharing concerns on social media. The Albert L. Scott Library and other community hubs have become venues for candidate meet-and-greets, reflecting a grassroots energy that could drive higher turnout than in previous municipal cycles.

Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, August 26, and voters are encouraged to verify their polling locations through the Alabama Secretary of State's website or local election offices.

Looking Ahead

Anniston's mayoral race is more than a contest of personalities-it's a referendum on the city's direction. Will voters choose a candidate with deep institutional experience, a fresh outsider perspective, or a pragmatic business approach? The answer will shape not only city hall but the broader narrative of what Anniston stands for in 2025 and beyond.

As Ciara Smith put it: "This campaign is not about me. It's about us. It's about the senior who wants to see their neighborhood revitalized. It's about the small business owner looking for support to grow. It's about the next generation who deserve to inherit a city of hope".

Whether you're a lifelong resident or a recent arrival, the 2025 mayoral race offers a chance to help shape Anniston's future. And in a city with deep roots and untapped potential, that future is worth fighting for.

(Brandon Moseley contributed to this report.)