Newbern, Alabama – Patrick Braxton, the first Black mayor of the small Alabama town of Newbern, has won a decisive re-election victory, cementing his place as the town’s rightful leader after years of legal and political battles.
Braxton won 66 votes to challenger Laird Cole’s 26 in Tuesday’s election, the first held in Newbern since at least the 1960s. His victory represents a historic moment for the majority-Black town of just 133 residents, located 40 miles west of Selma. It closes a painful chapter that began when Braxton was denied access to his office after his first election in 2020.
“The people came out and spoke and voted. Now, there ain’t no doubt what they want for this town,” Braxton said after the win.
For decades, Newbern’s government operated under what residents referred to as a “hand-me-down” system of governance. Voters did not choose mayors; instead, they were appointed by predecessors, who also handpicked council members. This practice allowed an overwhelmingly white government to remain in power, despite Black residents outnumbering white residents two-to-one.
That arrangement came to a head in 2020, when Braxton, a volunteer firefighter, qualified to run for mayor. Because he was unopposed, he became mayor-elect. Following tradition, he appointed new town council members. However, soon after, the locks on the town hall were changed, and he was denied access to the town’s financial accounts. The outgoing council then held what his lawsuit later referred to as a “secret meeting” to reappoint themselves.
Braxton spent the next three years in a bitter legal fight. While town officials denied wrongdoing, a federal lawsuit eventually led to a settlement requiring that Newbern hold a mayoral election in 2025 — the first in over half a century.
Although Braxton briefly assumed office in 2022 after the settlement, his ability to govern was limited. “I did not get a chance to serve but one year out of the five years,” he said. Tuesday’s election changed that, providing him a clear mandate from the community.
Civil rights groups hailed the outcome as a turning point. “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 him.
Braxton’s challenger, Laird Cole, is a white auctioneer and Realtor. Though he won nearly 30% of the vote, the result was never in doubt. For Braxton, the 66-26 victory was more than just a political win — it was vindication.
“It feels good the second time,” he said, adding that the results should erase any “doubts people had hanging in their heads on whether people want me.”
With his victory, Newbern has taken a step toward democratic reform and racial fairness that many residents hope will last. For Braxton, it is also deeply personal — the chance to finally serve the town that elected him five years ago.
