Birmingham, AL, October 8, 2025

News Summary

The recent runoff election for the Birmingham City Council resulted in significant leadership changes. Political newcomer Brian Gunn defeated incumbent J.T. Moore in District 4. Additionally, Sonja Smith secured her position in District 8, while LaTonya Tate retained her seat in District 9. The election highlighted a community appetite for change, as candidates focused on local issues, including accountability and economic development. Brian Gunn is set to take office later this month, marking a fresh start for the council.

Birmingham

The results of the recent Birmingham City Council runoff election revealed a notable shift in leadership, with incumbent J.T. Moore facing a decisive defeat. Brian Gunn, a political newcomer, defeated Moore in City Council District 4 with a commanding 68% of the vote, translating to 676 votes, compared to Moore’s 32% or 323 votes. This election process, which took place with 99% of polls reporting, highlighted a preference for change among the electorate.

Throughout the election, BLM activist Eric Hall struggled significantly, losing by the largest margin across all candidates in the runoff. Hall was defeated by Yamika Foy in the District 9 school board race, where Foy received 70% of the votes, equating to 1,126, while Hall garnered only 485 votes. The election also featured three school board races, with all winning candidates achieving at least 55% of the vote.

Election Outcomes

In addition to Brian Gunn’s victory, Sonja Smith won the open seat for District 8, defeating April Myers Williams with 66% of the vote. Furthermore, LaTonya Tate retained her position in District 9 against former State Rep. John Hilliard, earning 54%, which amounted to 921 votes, while Hilliard collected 724 votes.

The newly elected City Council members will take office on October 28. Brian Gunn, who previously worked for the nonprofit Measures for Justice, campaigned with a robust strategy, including knocking on 7,000 doors and making over 5,000 phone calls. His focus will be on ensuring property owners are held accountable for neglected lots and promoting economic development within District 4.

Campaign Highlights

Sonja Smith benefited from endorsements from Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin and other prominent local figures. Meanwhile, LaTonya Tate’s campaign focused on initiatives for violence reduction and youth programming. Tate’s continued presence on the council reflects a community-supported focus on addressing crime and youth outreach in the district.

Impact on Incumbents

J.T. Moore’s defeat is particularly noteworthy given his prior issues, including a DUI arrest in 2022 while operating a city vehicle. This incident may have influenced voters’ perceptions and their decisions during the election. Despite the preference for incumbents in many races, Moore’s loss marks a significant moment of change in Birmingham’s political landscape.

Background Context

Local elections often serve as a barometer for the community’s sentiments toward current leadership. The Birmingham City Council elections demonstrated this trend, revealing a willingness among constituents to embrace new leadership and hold elected officials accountable for their actions. The certification of the election results is still pending as officials finalize the totals.

Election Summary

• District 4: Brian Gunn defeated J.T. Moore – 68% to 32%
• District 8: Sonja Smith defeated April Myers Williams – 66% to 44%
• District 9: LaTonya Tate defeated John Hilliard – 54% to 44%
• DUI Incident: J.T. Moore’s past DUI may have affected his campaign.
• New Members’ Start Date: October 28.

Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic

HERE Resources

Birmingham Municipal Election Runoffs Result in Key Changes
Incumbent J.T. Moore Loses Birmingham City Council Seat
Birmingham Sets Stage for Key Runoff Elections
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Helena, Alabama Faces Historic Budget Crisis
Islamic Academy of Alabama Resubmits Zoning Change Application
Birmingham City Council Allocates Funds for UAB Football Tickets
Doster Construction Company Selected for Vestavia Hills Improvement Program
Birmingham Plans to Close Pack Health Headquarters, Cutting Jobs
Birmingham Celebrates New Workforce Education Center at Jefferson State Community College

Additional Resources

• CBS 42: Birmingham City Council Runoff Election Results
• AL.com: Birmingham Election 2025
• Birmingham Times: Runoff Winners
• WVTM 13: Election Runoffs Results
• 1819 News: City Council Newcomers
• Wikipedia: Birmingham, Alabama
• Google Search: Birmingham City Council elections
• Google Scholar: Birmingham City Council
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Birmingham, Alabama
• Google News: Birmingham City Council elections

Author: STAFF HERE BIRMINGHAM WRITER

The BIRMINGHAM STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREBirmingham.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Birmingham, Jefferson County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Sidewalk Film Festival, Sloss Music & Arts Festival, Magic City Classic, and civil rights commemorations. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Birmingham Business Alliance and the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, plus leading businesses in healthcare, finance, and manufacturing that power the local economy such as UAB Medicine, Regions Bank, and Encompass Health. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREHuntsville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Alabama's dynamic landscape.