She’s a Birmingham native, Woodlawn resident and chairperson for the Democratic Socialists of America in Birmingham. Robin Rains is running for Birmingham City Council in District 4. Let’s get to know her.

Candidate Details

For more information about Rains, here are links to her Facebook page and the Facebook page for the Birmingham Chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America. She is also on Twitter.

Other District 4 Candidates

Your current councilor is William Parker. He represents:

Airport Highlands, Brownsville Heights, Brumitt Heights, Collegeville, East Birmingham, Harriman Park, Fairmont, Inglenook, Killough Springs (Also part of District 1), Kingston, North Avondale, Eastlake, North Norwood, Maple Grove, Penfield Park, Pine Knoll Vista, Woodlawn, Zion City.

Other Candidates:

Sergio Williams is also running against Parker. Here is the link to Bham Now’s interview with Williams.

Election Details

The city municipal elections are scheduled for August 22, but candidates are already making their rounds. Qualifying for the race begins on June 23rd and ends July 7th.

Please check out all of our weekly interviews featuring the city council and mayoral candidates here at Bham Now. We post them every week! It’s a great way to get involved with the upcoming city elections, and we hope you find them informative and helpful. Any questions or comments about these posts can be directed to me via a FB message @bhamnow.

Candidate Interview

When did you officially announce your candidacy and where/how did you do it?

“We released a video on May 26th on the DSA social media channels. We’re planning an official announcement event soon!”

What is the name of your principal campaign committee?

“The Committee to Elect Robin Rains.”

Why do you want to run for Birmingham City Council?

“I understand the problems facing Birmingham, and I understand the interests standing between us and solutions. I live here, and the only way my life can improve is if the city improves. I want to do this job, but I’m going to keep organizing regardless of the election’s outcome. As a city councilor, I’d be that much better of an organizer.”

More Questions And Answers

What is your background, education and experience?

” I grew up in Birmingham, then moved to Tuscaloosa to go to school at UA. I covered the city council beat for the school newspaper, and that’s when I began to understand the major role real estate plays politically. After school, I got a job answering 911 calls, then worked for a few years on an ambulance. “In 2011, I watched real estate development finish what the tornado started, pushing families out of the city. Since I moved back to Birmingham, I’ve noticed what I saw in Tuscaloosa happening again in slow motion: real estate people coming in and pushing families out. “I’ve always been interested in how governments work. Throughout college, I was involved with different causes and eventually helped run the Occupy Tuscaloosa group. This last election cycle, especially the Sanders’ campaign, changed a lot of things for socialists. Democratic Socialists of America emerged as a really great organization, and as the actual election got closer we got more serious about starting a chapter in Birmingham. Since then, with DSA and our partners in Black Lives Matter, local politics has become the biggest part of my life. “

How will you foster a healthy, working relationship between the mayor’s office and the Birmingham City Council/city hall? “I’ll work with anyone who wants to do the right thing.” How will you accomplish transparency with the residents of Birmingham, if elected? “I’ll answer any question anyone asks within reason. I think it would be cool to make an Instagram where I have to post all the receipts from my expense accounts. Radical transparency! “I’d like to work closely with the neighborhood associations and try to return some of their decision making power. If I’m going to work with the communities, I have to talk to them about what’s happening on my end.”