Locked Out, Voted In: Alabama Town’s First Black Mayor Finally Secures Office After Years-Long Battle

 

For decades, the tiny town of Newbern, Alabama, never held elections. Leadership was simply passed down — one mayor choosing the next, councils quietly reappointing themselves — in a system residents described as “hand-me-down government.”

That all changed this week.

Patrick Braxton, the first Black mayor in Newbern’s history, won the town’s long-awaited election in a landslide — 66 votes to his opponent’s 26. His victory marks the end of a bitter four-year fight that began in 2020, when he first earned the title of mayor but was locked out of town hall and barred from serving.

“The people came out and spoke and voted. Now, there ain’t no doubt what they want for this town,” Braxton told reporters after his win.

A Town Without Elections

With just 133 residents, Newbern sits quietly west of Selma, its downtown defined by a library, town hall, a small mercantile, and a flashing caution light. But beneath its sleepy surface, Newbern carried a troubling reality: it hadn’t held a public election since the 1960s.

Instead, political power was controlled by a mostly white town government, even though Black residents outnumbered white residents 2-to-1.

That imbalance came to a head in 2020, when Braxton, a volunteer firefighter, qualified to run for mayor. He was the only candidate, which meant — by law — he became mayor-elect. Like his predecessors, he appointed a new council.

But what followed stunned the town. Locks on the town hall were changed. Braxton was denied access to financial accounts. And, according to his lawsuit, outgoing officials held a secret meeting to reappoint themselves and strip him of power.

For three years, Braxton battled in court, arguing for his right to serve. Town officials insisted his claim was “invalid.”

A Settlement, and a New Era

The fight eventually led to a federal settlement mandating Newbern’s first real election in more than half a century. On Tuesday, that election took place.

Braxton faced one challenger, white auctioneer and Realtor Laird Cole. But the result wasn’t close.

“Mayor Braxton’s election represents a turning point for Newbern, restoring democratic governance, ensuring fair representation, and reaffirming that every resident has a voice in their local government,” said Madison Hollon of the SPLC Action Fund, which endorsed Braxton.

For Braxton, the win is more than personal vindication — it’s history finally catching up with justice.

“I didn’t get a chance to serve but one year out of the five years,” he reflected. “It feels good the second time.”