Historic Milestone in Newbern as Patrick Braxton Becomes First Black Mayor
In an Alabama town with a population of 133, Patrick Braxton’s election as Newbern’s first Black mayor represents a significant breakthrough. After a prolonged struggle involving local officials who resisted his leadership, Braxton secured a decisive victory with 66 votes against Laird Cole, who garnered 26 votes, in the 2025 mayoral race.
Following his win, Braxton commented, “The people came out and spoke and voted. Now, there ain’t no doubt what they want for this town,” in a statement to the Associated Press.
Braxton’s journey to the mayor’s office began in 2020 when he was declared mayor-elect after running unopposed. However, a lawsuit he filed revealed that town officials refused to acknowledge his position, allegedly barring him from town hall, restricting access to financial resources, and conducting an unauthorized “special election” to reinstall themselves in power.
For over six decades, Newbern did not hold public elections, relying instead on a system where outgoing officials appointed their successors, maintaining a predominantly white local government despite a majority Black population.
The legitimacy of this practice was contested by Braxton and other community members, culminating in a 2024 settlement. This agreement acknowledged Braxton as the rightful mayor, provided him access to municipal resources, and mandated the resignation of those who unlawfully retained office, with a commitment to fair elections in 2025.
Although Braxton’s victory was affirmed, accountability for the initial obstruction was not assigned. In a 2024 ABC interview, Braxton’s attorney, Leah Wong, explained, “The judge dismissed these individual defendants and just held the town of Newbern as the only defendant. I think that, at the end of the day, we spoke with our plaintiffs. I know Mayor Braxton will speak to this. He and the plaintiffs just really wanted elections in the town more than anything. And I think it really speaks to how they always put the town first in this case.”
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