Montgomery will elect a new mayor in August.

Mayor Todd Strange, who has held the office since 2009, will not run for re-election, paving the way for the city's first new leader in a decade.

Several candidates have already emerged — some household names, others political newcomers. To keep track, the Montgomery Advertiser will update this page with new information, new candidates and whatever news comes from the race.

Candidates cannot officially register until July, which is about a month before the election. That hasn't stopped them from campaigning early, however.

Readers who wish to jump to an individual candidate should click on the Chapter's button on the bottom left of this page.

Butler Browder, the son of Montgomery civil rights activist Aurelia Browder, worries people are forgetting the lessons of the movement that his mother fought in.

The veteran and retired postal worker has staked out his campaign for mayor along those lines, urging Montgomerians to remember the true heroes of the civil rights movement like his mother, Claudette Colvin and others.

The lessons of those leaders, he said, need to be remembered as the newest crop of city officials seek to repair a broken education system in the city.

"That was really my point of feeling like I needed to do something along that line," Browder said. "My mother, and all of her siblings, made sure we knew the importance of getting a good education, a good public education."

The key to that is through raising more funds, he said. An occupational tax would be one piece of the puzzle, Browder said, while adding scratch-off gambling in the city would be another.

More:Son of civil rights icon Aurelia Browder to run for mayor

Hobson Cox’s mayoral candidacy isn’t really like others’ he is running against.

He is campaigning on the idea of cleaning up corruption within the city and the state of Alabama as a whole. And Cox isn’t afraid to lob fireballs, chastising other mayoral candidates for what he alleges are their ties to powerful monied groups in the state.

“We need to change the system and the people that are running this community right now,” Cox said earlier this month at a mayoral forum. “If you look around, they’ve been here for a long time and we need to get rid of ‘em.”

When reached by the phone on Monday to set up an interview, Cox declined to come into the Montgomery Advertiser, instead saying he would grant one phone interview.

That call revolved around Cox’s idea that Montgomery politics is little more than a playground for those with influence.

More:Hobson Cox sees the mayor's race as a chance to uncover corruption. Will he be able to do it?

Edward (Ed) Crowell has pointed toward his extensive leadership roles, military service and community involvement at a news conference announcing his run.

"I know the history of this great city. The good and bad. And I sense that Montgomery is on the verge of greatness," Crowell said.

Community policing was one of the concrete areas that Crowell said would require buy-in from Montgomerians as well as city officials. It would be a vital piece of creating a "neighborhood mayor," which he described as a method meant to best serve the particular needs of the areas diverse subsections.

Crowell also stressed that education, and improving outcomes, would be a instrumental part of his campaign, saying all other success would flow from it.

"The root of crime is a lack of educational opportunity," the first-time candidate said. Referring to his own modest upbringing, Crowell said "I knew education was the key to escaping the generational poverty that still grips part of our community."

Across the country, Crowell has spent more than 35 years as a part of the United States Air Force and the Reserves. He served as the commandant of the Air War College and vice commander of Air University. He was awarded the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit and Meritorious Service medals.

"The city has given my family and me so much, which is why I spent my life trying to give back," the candidate said.

Age: 69

Profession: President and CEO of VT Miltope Corp.; Director of Human Resources for Blount International; Brigadier General in U.S. Air Force; Commandant of Air War College; Vice Commander at Air University

Family: Ernestine (wife); 2 children

Education: B.S. Business Administration and Economics, Alabama State University, 1971. M.S. Strategy, Air Command and Staff College, 1983. M.S. Strategic Disciplines, Air War College, 1995. M.B.A., Troy University, 2000.

Offices held/offices sought: None

Full story:Retired Air Force brigadier general will run to be next mayor of Montgomery

Former Congressman Artur Davis announced he would run for mayor, making him one the most politically experienced of the candidates in the race.

"As Mayor, I will have one major mission: to build a community wide coalition of our new school board, teachers, parents and businesses that will return Montgomery public schools to being a foundation to succeed anywhere in America," Davis said in a press release.

Along with education, Davis stressed that he will use his past experience as a federal prosecutor to tackle crime in Montgomery.

Davis first won election to the national legislative body in 2002, and he won decisive victories throughout his tenure. Davis ran into trouble in 2010, when he lost the Democratic primary for governor of Alabama and subsequently retired from politics at the end of his congressional term in 2011. He then lost to current Mayor Todd Strange in 2015 municipal elections.

Davis has also made national headlines for his political party swaps, attempting to bounce between the Democratic and Republican parties. After leaving the House, Davisjoined the Republican Party, claimed that the Democratic Party had moved too far to the left of the political spectrum and denounced his support of President Barack Obama, who Davis was one of the original backers for Obama's initial run for president.

He attempted to return as a Democrat in 2015 while exploring a run for the Montgomery County Commission, but Alabama Democrats denied his petition after finding he supported Republican candidates within the last four years. They cited his criticism of Obama and votes against the Affordable Care Act as well.

Age: 51

Profession: Public policy consultant

Family: Tara Johnson Davis (wife)

Education: B.A. Government, Harvard University, 1990. J.D. Harvard School of Law, 1993

Offices held/offices sought: United States Congressman, 2003-2010, ran for Governor of Alabama, 2010, Mayor of Montgomery, 2015.

Full story:Former congressman announces intention to run for Montgomery mayor

Ronald Davis, a pastor for 22 years, is running a campaign based upon uniting the city, levying an occupational tax, leveling out income inequality, debt relief and reopening of community centers. The candidate is running against a full slate of opponents, with at least nine other candidates declared for the race already.

"Our city needs to be revitalized by promoting investments in deteriorating areas that have not been given the attention and resources they truly deserve. Giving business incentives to indigenous investors, will not only help the city regain economic stability, but will also serve as a bridge for the gaps in uneven economic growth in the city," Davis said in an emailed release.

Though the occupational tax is unpopular, he said, "It must be pursued for building bridges to a better Montgomery."

Davis also said in the announcement that he would work to rebuild infrastructure, battle poverty and fight for a livable wage for workers.

The Day Street Baptist Church pastor also said he does not support charter schools or the Alabama Accountability Act. Though the mayor position has little sway over the educational system in Montgomery, the troubled school system has become a talking point among many candidates.

He cited poverty in the city, along with a lack of funding for schools, as one of the major drivers of educational deficiencies and criminal activity, saying they need to get rid of the "school to prison pipeline."

"Despite all of these changes and propositions, we must also hold parents responsible to work beyond where they are to cross the bridge to self-reliance. We must strengthen families — the foundation of all institutions," Davis said.

Davis attended Montgomery Public Schools and graduated from Alabama State University. He also served in the finance office for the city of Montgomery as an accountant.

"I call on all citizens of Montgomery to come together in a concerted effort with churches and community leaders not just to pray for the growth and stability of our city, but also to implement practical ways of addressing these issues to strengthen education, economic, and employment," he said.

Age: 65

Profession: Pastor, accountant, author

Family: Wanda (wife); Jonathan, Jarrett, Jeremy (children)

Education: B.S. Accounting, Alabama State University, 1979. Masters Theology, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, 1984. Doctor of Ministry, Emory University, 20 hours incomplete.

Office sought: First run for public office

More:Pastor calls for occupational tax, reopened community centers in mayoral candidacy announcement

Montgomery County Commissioner Elton Dean announced his intentions in a video posted online, where he said education and protecting Montgomery's most vulnerable will be the base of his platform.

"2019 is going to be the year that we come together to make all of Montgomery a better place," Dean said.

He also highlighted the need for Montgomery to think of itself as one city, not divided east and west — a common theme in many of Dean's public speeches in the recent past.

There are problems in the city, Dean said in the video, though he didn't elaborate beyond the education system. The foundation laid by revolutionary advocates like Rosa Parks, Martin Luther King Jr. and many others reveal the capacity for the city to overcome those obstacles.

"Now we must all stand together and use that same passion and commitment to build on that foundation for better jobs, a better education and a better life for every Montgomery man, woman and child," he said. To so do, he added that it will take the government, charities, churches and every facet of the city.

Full story:Montgomery County Commission Chair Elton Dean announces run for mayor

Victorrus Felder, a lifelong Montgomery resident that grew up in Gibbs Village, believes crime in the city has gone unchecked for too long.

"We have so much going on with crime and, to me, not much is being done, as fast as it should be," Felder said. "It's a continuing problem that seems, like, dependent on the location, the crime is really not cared about."

The problem is especially bad in west and north Montgomery, he said, which would be the focus of his efforts to increase community policing in the city.

Boosting the number of police officers has been a popular talking point early in the election, but Felder said he doesn't see the number of the officers as the problem. There are often officers posted downtown all night over the weekend, he said.

Those officers need to get out of their cars and interact with the community, he said. That will create an environment that people feel more comfortable sharing tips about crimes with police, Felder said, creating a two-way avenue for community policing.

He said he does agree with another popular push among candidates, however, to raise the pay for Montgomery's officers to stem the outward flow of law enforcement to higher paying cities.

Age: 36

Profession: Correctional officer at Alabama Department of Corrections

Education: No degree, attended Miles College, 2002-2004. High school diploma, G.W. Carver High School, 2002

Offices held/offices sought: First run for public office

More:Department of Corrections employee leaps into Montgomery mayoral race with a focus on crime

The head of Montgomery's "City Watch — Uncut" Facebook page — an online community created to talk about crime in the city — joined the mayor's race.

Shannon Ferrari, the first woman to vie for the city's top executive position this year, made her announcement to more than 50,000 followers in the Facebook group. The apartment complex manager and Montgomery Chamber of Commerce ambassador said crime and education will be the focus of her campaign.

"To sustain this growth we must get crime under control and fix our school system. Montgomery is in a very delicate state. The next election could be a make or break for our great city," she said in the post.

Hitting on two common themes among nearly all mayoral and city council campaigns, Ferrari wrote that there needs to be more police officers in the streets and better job and mentoring resources for young residents.

"This will need to be a joint effort between parents, teachers and local businesses. We all need to take responsibility and work together as a team to steer our young people in the right direction," she said.

If elected, she touted transparency and open communication as key. Ferrari, however, had disabled the comment section on her City Watch announcement post.

Ferrari said she would draw influence from former Mayor Emory Folmar, who she said influenced her at a young age with his radio appearances.

"We currently do not have peace here in Montgomery. I want to be part of the movement that takes Montgomery back and restores it to a peaceful state," she said in the post.

Age: 45

Profession: Assistant Community Manager

Family: 3 children

Education: High School Diploma, Jefferson Davis High School, 1992. Criminal Justice, South University, in progress

Offices held/offices sought: First run for political office

Another candidate has jumped into the open race to be Montgomery's next mayor.

JC Love, an attorney at Rushton, Stakely, Johnston & Garrett, announced his intention to run for mayor Thursday morning. With many familiar names already tossing their hat into the ring, Love attempted to signal that he represents a candidate apart from the status quo.

"I think with the candidates who have announced or signaled their intentions to run, that I offer a break from the politics of the past, and a fresh vision for the future of our city," he said in a press release.

Love branded himself as a product of Montgomery Public Schools in his release, citing his attendance at Brewbaker Intermediate School, Baldwin Junior High School, and Jefferson Davis High School. He attended Morehouse College in Atlanta, where he served on student government, before attending Boston College Law School.

Currently, Love serves as the President of the Capital City Bar Association, the group for African American attorneys in Montgomery. He is also the President of the Mt. Zion A.M.E. Zion Foundation Board and President of the Montgomery-Tuskegee Chapter of the Morehouse National Alumni Association. Love also serves on several other boards.

"I believe that the people of Montgomery, as a whole, need to decide what we want the future of our city to be,” Love said in the press release. “We have our issues, but we also have opportunities — and the next mayor will have to communicate his vision of those opportunities and be a leader for the future we want to create for ourselves."

Age: 40

Profession: Attorney

Family: Porcia "Bradford" Love (wife); Caroline, Catherine, James (children)

Education: B.A. Political Science, Morehouse College, 2001. J.D. Boston College, 2004

Offices held/offices sought: First run for public office

Full story:Montgomery attorney JC Love announces mayoral campaign

Montgomery County Probate Judge Steven Reed, first elected in 2012, is running in a field that is growing crowded with big names and newcomers to city politics.

“I have decided to run for mayor of Montgomery,” Reed said in an emailed announcement. “I reached this decision after much prayer and many discussions with family, friends, and members of the community.”

In his release, Reed touted his election to the judgeship in 2012 as the youngest ever elected and the first African-American to hold the spot. He faced no opposition in 2018.

Mental health, election integrity and marriage equality are all issues that he focused on in that role, Reed said in his release.

“We have to be proactive and seek out new ideas on economic development, education and public safety,” he said in the statement. “As a city, our goal must be to thrive and not merely survive. We’ve done that in the Probate Court, and the Mayor’s office will give me the opportunity to formulate and drive a positive agenda to move Montgomery forward.”

In September, Reed publicly said that he was considering running for mayor following a news conference with then-Democratic gubernatorial nominee Walt Maddox.

The probate judge is the son of longtime Democratic powerhouse Joe Reed, currently the head of the Alabama Democratic Conference.

Age: 45

Profession: Montgomery County Probate Judge

Family: Tamika (wife); Kyla, Klein, Karsten (children)

Education: High school diploma, Jeff Davis High School, 1992. B.A. Business Administration, Morehouse College, 1996. M.B.A. Vanderbilt University, 2004

Offices held/offices sought: Montgomery County Probate Judge, 2012-Current

Full story:Montgomery County Probate Judge Steven Reed announces run for mayor

Simmons brings a combination of ideas to the table — such as attempting to attract a professional soccer team to the city — that will likely set him apart from the other more mainstream candidates in an already crowded field that is likely to grow even larger.

Simmons said his two campaign platforms are attracting a professional sports team to the city and lowering crime.

When asked about his plan to bring Alabama's first pro-level sports team, Simmons said it would provide a long overdue team to a state that should have had one years ago. If secured, it would attract businesses to the community and encourage people already living here to spend their money in the city.

When it comes to crime, he said pay for existing officers needs to be raised. A majority of the problems with policing arise, Simmons said, because officers don't feel they are adequately cared about by officials.

To deal with a glut of people being held in local and state jails, Simmons said Montgomery could aid that by decriminalizing the possession of marijuana and making it a fine-only offense, similar to a speeding ticket. That would keep low-level offenders out of jail, he said, and prevent marks going on their record that makes future employment difficult.

It is clear to him, Simmons said, that the city needs some new sort of revenue stream. While he would pursue outside investment, a sports team and other avenues, it is likely that some type of new tax would have to be levied. He said he was open to different ideas, including a possible occupational tax.

More:Montgomery's 'Black Elvis,' Bibby Simmons, to run for mayor

David Woods, owner of local TV station WCOV, has joined the race.

The media executive announced his run Wednesday. He said in a news release that he would build on Strange's efforts to support law enforcement, fight crime, address educational needs and create a welcoming business culture.

"Montgomery has a rich history and an exciting future. We are at a crossroads, and the next mayor of Montgomery has challenges to tackle,” Woods said in the release.

Woods ran for Congress in 2008 in the Republican primary, losing out to former Rep. Jay Love, who eventually lost to Bobby Bright. He is the son of the late Charles Woods, a World War II veteran, businessman and candidate is several political races. YMCA named him their Man of the Year in 2014.

“Our great city needs a selfless leader to create a unified Montgomery, fix the education system, increase public safety and bring new jobs," he said in his news release.

Age: 61

Profession: President and CEO of Woods Communication Corp.

Family: Donna (wife); David, Drew, Jodi (children); Grace, Walter, Everest (grandchildren)

Education: B.A. Communications, University of Alabama (incomplete)

Offices held/offices sought: First run for public office

Full story:TV station owner, local businessman David Woods jumps into Montgomery mayoral race