Incumbent Tuscaloosa Mayor Walter Maddox will seek re-election for his fourth term on Tuesday, but this time with competition as Stepfon “Step” Lewis, a local businessman and activist, looks to take the mayoral reins.
Maddox has become a household name for many Tuscaloosa residents over the past 12 years. His track record includes setting up a 311 call center for Tuscaloosa and gaining national recognition for the city’s preparedness and response to the April 27, 2011, tornado that destroyed 12 percent of the city nearly six years ago.
“The best indicator of future performance is past performance,” Maddox told The Tuscaloosa News. “We have continued to grow in all corners of our city, and our record has indicated success, both in times of calm and calamity.”
Both candidates have indicated interest in increasing economic development in the west side of Tuscaloosa.
Lewis hopes to see that through an increase in local businesses. Beyond economic development, Lewis has told The Tuscaloosa News he hopes to balance the racial makeup of City Hall and city employees and told WIAT that he wants to create a black business district and reduce crime.
One issue that has followed Lewis is his felony at the age of 21 for distribution of controlled substance. While originally sentenced to 15 years, Lewis served less than one year and then remained on probation for five years for exemplary behavior.
Lewis has made it clear that he has changed paths since then.
“That’s a story that our community has to see,” Lewis said to CBS 42. “No matter what you do, you have an opportunity to be better and do more to help yourself and help others.”
