CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT 1 RACE: INCUMBENT, NEWCOMER ANNOUNCE CANDIDACY

BY WVUA 23 Student Reporter Meredith Barbrick

Tuscaloosa City District 1 Councilwoman Phyllis Odom announced Wednesday she’s running for re-election.

Odom was appointed by Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox in 2014 after the death of her husband, Burrell Odom.

“I have decided now to publicly seek re-election for my seat on City Council District 1 because I wanted to fulfill my husband’s dreams and complete his term,” she said. “But now I see the need for a lot more to be done.”

But she’s not running unopposed.

Challenger Willie C. Gordon announced Wednesday that he’s making a first-time run for the District 1 seat. Gordon is a Tuscaloosa native and has worked at The Tuscaloosa News for the past 15 years.

Gordon said he wants District 1 living up to its potential.

“(Tuscaloosa) is making some exciting changes,” he said. “And District 1 is lagging behind. So my intention would be to be an advocate for the constituents in District 1, and try to get District 1 back up to pace with the rest of the changes that are taking place in the city of Tuscaloosa.”

Tuscaloosa’s municipal elections are March 7, 2017.