Birmingham, October 8, 2025
News Summary
The recent municipal runoff races in Birmingham brought significant changes to the City Council and Board of Education. Notably, Brian Gunn defeated incumbent J.T. Moore in District 4, while LaTonya Tate and Sonja Smith retained their seats in Districts 9 and 8 respectively. The elections reflect a shift in leadership dynamics and a community-focused approach ahead. Voter engagement was emphasized by successful grassroots campaigns, resulting in pivotal election outcomes across key districts.
Birmingham Municipal Election Runoffs Result in Key City Council and School Board Changes
On Tuesday, October 7, Birmingham held municipal runoff races for essential city council and school board positions. Voters had the opportunity to decide outcomes in City Council Districts 4, 8, and 9, as well as Birmingham Board of Education Districts 2, 8, and 9, with polls operating from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
In a significant shift, incumbent Birmingham City Council member J.T. Moore lost his re-election bid in District 4 to challenger Brian Gunn. Gunn secured an impressive 67.7% of the vote, amounting to 676 votes, while Moore only garnered 32.3%, which equates to 323 votes. In District 9, Public Safety Chair LaTonya Tate successfully retained her seat, defeating John Hilliard with 55.6% of the votes (921 votes) compared to Hilliard’s 44.35% (734 votes). Additionally, Sonja Smith triumphed in the District 8 race, which was previously held by Carol Clarke, beating April Williams with 55.6% of the vote (867 votes) against Williams’ 44.39% (692 votes).
These results are based on unofficial tallies, with 99% of the votes counted and pending certification by election officials. Brian Gunn, emphasizing his grassroots campaign efforts, noted that his team knocked on 7,000 doors and made 5,000 phone calls to engage community members effectively.
The elections impacted various neighborhoods, with District 4 including areas such as Airport Highlands, Brownsville Heights, Collegeville, and East Birmingham. District 8 encompasses neighborhoods such as Belview Heights, Bush Hills, and Ensley. The Birmingham Board of Education also saw critical runoff results, with Yamika Foy winning the District 9 seat against Eric Hall, capturing 69% of the vote compared to Hall’s 31%.
In District 2, incumbent Neonta Williams managed to secure 53% of the votes against challenger Terry Michal (226 to 197 votes). The District 8 Board of Education seat had a notably close race, with Antwon Womack leading Pamela Bass by a margin of only 25 votes (755 to 730).
Endorsements played a pivotal role in the election outcomes, notably for Sonja Smith, who received backing from Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin. LaTonya Tate was also focused on her campaign’s emphasis on violence reduction strategies, pointing to reductions in homicide rates linked to the violence prevention programs she has implemented.
As Birmingham moves forward, its City Council will welcome new members Gunn and Smith, joining incumbents in other districts. This election marks a change in the council’s composition and a shift towards new community-focused initiatives.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the date of the Birmingham municipal runoff races?
On Tuesday, October 7, municipal runoff races were held in Birmingham for city council and school board members.
Who won the City Council District 4 seat?
Incumbent Birmingham City Council member J.T. Moore lost his re-election bid in District 4 to challenger Brian Gunn, with Gunn receiving 67.7% of the vote (676 votes) compared to Moore’s 32.3% (323 votes).
What were the results for the Birmingham Board of Education Districts?
Yamika Foy won the District 9 seat against Eric Hall (69% to 31%). The District 2 race reported 53% for incumbent Neonta Williams against challenger Terry Michal (226 to 197 votes). The District 8 Board of Education seat had a very close race with Antwon Womack leading Pamela Bass by a margin of 25 votes (755 to 730).
| District | Winner | Vote Percentage | Votes |
|---|---|---|---|
| City Council District 4 | Brian Gunn | 67.7% | 676 |
| City Council District 8 | Sonja Smith | 55.6% | 867 |
| City Council District 9 | LaTonya Tate | 55.6% | 921 |
| School Board District 2 | Neonta Williams | 53% | 226 |
| School Board District 8 | Antwon Womack | – | 755 |
| School Board District 9 | Yamika Foy | 69% | – |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Incumbent J.T. Moore Loses Birmingham City Council Seat
Birmingham Candidates Face Challenges Ahead of Runoff Elections
Birmingham Election Results: Mayor Randall Woodfin Secures Third Term
Randall Woodfin Re-elected as Birmingham Mayor with 75% Vote
Additional Resources
- CBS 42 News
- Wikipedia: Birmingham, Alabama
- Birmingham Times
- Google Search: Birmingham city council runoff elections
- AL.com
- Google Scholar: Alabama municipal elections
- ABC 33/40 News
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Election
- Birmingham Times
- Google News: Birmingham election results
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.
