Steven L. Reed, a probate judge, garnered about 67% of the vote in the nonpartisan runoff election, according to unofficial results released by the city, the New York Times reported. He defeated David Woods, a white TV station owner. Reed will be sworn in Nov. 12.
"Today is about the vision," AL.com quoted Reed as saying. "The vision we have for people far beyond this room. Some of the people who could not be here. But it encompasses and it connects all of them. And that's what we have been saying and that's what we want to make sure we continue tomorrow, and the next day and the next day. Because that is what is going to define this city. And that's what's going to define this election.
“It’s not going to be about the first. It’s not even going to be about the best. It’s going to be about the impact that we make on the lives of others."
Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin was quick to congratulate Reed, an alumnus of Atlanta's Morehouse College.
Congratulations to my @Morehouse brother @stevenlouisreed, the first black mayor in Montgomery's 200-year history.
— Randall Woodfin (@randallwoodfin) October 9, 2019
So proud of you. Keep making history.
Morehouse Man Steven Reed spoke to constituents after making history as the first African American to be elected as mayor of Montgomery, Ala. Here is a video from that talk: https://t.co/2yzpzvCJZy pic.twitter.com/JY1H8mQrDS
— Morehouse College (@Morehouse) October 9, 2019
Reed also played football at the Atlanta HBCU, where he was a member of Omega Psi Phi through the Theta Alpha Chapter.
Today’s the day! Election Day! Take the advice of @Bakari_Sellers here and if you live in Montgomery, AL make sure you get out and #Vote for former @MaroonTigers DB Steven Reed!@stevenlouisreed #Montgomery#LetsMakeHistory pic.twitter.com/WyUKlpWKaC
— Morehouse Football Alumni Association (@MFAA1867) October 8, 2019
Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. celebrates the win of Mayor elect Steven Reed, as the first African-American Mayor of Montgomery, Alabama. Mayor elect was initiated into Omega Psi Phi through Theta Alpha Chapter in Spr. of 1998. pic.twitter.com/5lgtWqmg2D
— Omega Perp Alert (@omegaperpalert) October 9, 2019
Congratulations and support for the mayor-elect came from numerous sources who saw Reed’s victory as a win for civil rights.
"This election has never been about me.This election has never been about just my ideas. It's been about all the hopes and dreams we have as individuals and collectively in this city."
— Anne Frank Center (@AnneFrankCenter) October 9, 2019
Congrats to Steven Reed! #progress #historyinthemaking #inspired #hope https://t.co/tsuFS8fMLi
VICTORY! Congratulations to @StevenLouisReed on making history as the first Black mayor of Montgomery, Alabama. @HRC was proud to help turn out the vote for this pro-equality champion. https://t.co/8Bis90Lw8a
— Human Rights Campaign (@HRC) October 9, 2019
After 200 years of the city's existence, Montgomery, AL (home to one of the most well known bus boycotts of the Civil Rights movement) just to elected their first African-American mayor--congratulations to County Judge Steven Reed#Progress #TeamDotiehttps://t.co/68oTrIwuPI pic.twitter.com/FubxVgEzjh
— Rep. Dotie Joseph (@DotieForFlorida) October 9, 2019
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