Nationwide — Mayor Patrick Braxton has been reelected in Newbern, Alabama, four years after White town officials blocked him from office. His win closes a long dispute over leadership in the small majority-Black town.
According to CNN, official results show that Braxton received 66 votes, while his challenger, Laird Cole, a White auctioneer and Realtor, earned 26. The victory confirms his mandate and ends years of conflict that began in 2020.
That year, Braxton, a volunteer firefighter, became mayor-elect after running unopposed. But Newbern had not held proper elections for decades. Instead, outgoing mayors handpicked successors who filled council seats, leaving the town run mostly by White leaders despite Black residents outnumbering them two to one.
After his unopposed win, Braxton was denied access to the town hall and financial accounts. Locks were changed, and council members held a secret meeting to reappoint themselves. He spent three years in court and managed to serve only one year of his term.
Black residents sued, leading to a federal settlement that required the town’s first true election since the 1960s. That vote was held in 2025, giving Braxton a fair chance to run for office and secure his position.
Civil rights groups, including the SPLC Action Fund, backed Braxton’s campaign. “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 program manager Madison Hollon.
Newbern, with just 133 residents, is anchored by a town hall, library, and small businesses west of Selma. For decades, it lacked democratic elections. Braxton’s victory signals that era is over.
“It feels good the second time,” Braxton said, noting that the outcome erased doubts about whether the community wanted him as mayor.