State Rep. Juandalynn Givan to campaign for Birmingham mayor's office

'The city's filthy': State Rep. Juandalynn Givan to campaign for Birmingham mayor's office

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. —

State Rep. Juandalynn Givan, D-60, is seeking the office of Birmingham mayor.

She sat down with WVTM 13 Anchor Jarvis Robertson to explain what led to the decision for her to seek the mayor's office. Givan says she has received several calls from people in Birmingham who believe the city is in need of new leadership.

That includes various church leaders, businesses and corporate communities.

She says a well-known bishop told her "we have a serious problem in the City of Birmingham and we can't go on like this any longer."

Givan has been highly vocal in recent months about crime in Birmingham, shortages with the police department, and what she feels is a lack of effort to clean the city up. Her office is near the location of where Sgt. Wytasha Carter was killed in 2019, a dark moment in history that she recalls. It's a combination of what has happened in the city that has led to her.

"It's the crime, it's the streets, it's the city of Birmingham. Look at the city, the city's filthy," Givan said. "Streets not paved, potholes not filled, trash and debris in some areas - it looks like a war zone."

Because of the increasing homicide rate, she has said multiple times that the city is "under siege."

Givan reiterated that people of the community are looking to her to help lead the city in a different direction. She believes Birmingham can be much better than it is now.

"They feel as if nobody sees them, and everything is excuse-driven," she said.

Givan plans to keep her seat in the state legislature, which she has held since 2010. She told us her campaign is set to focus people, protection, progress, and time.

While Birmingham is still referred to as The Magic City, she doesn't believe it's a magical place because of its current condition. She remembers her time working under the leadership of former mayors Richard Arrington Jr, Bernard Kinkaid, and William Bell.

In the official release for her campaign, she noted the following points to her platform:

• "Taking it to the Streets: A comprehensive initiative aimed at improving Birmingham’s infrastructure by resurfacing and repairing roadways, with immediate attention given to potholes across the city.
• "Operation 122: A focused plan to clean up Birmingham’s 99 neighborhoods and 23 communities within the first 122 days of Givan’s administration. This initiative will include increased garbage pickup and beautification projects to restore pride in every part of the city.
• "Friends in Transition: A program to address the growing homelessness crisis in Birmingham. Through this effort, Givan will work to eliminate homeless tent communities and provide sustainable housing solutions for those affected.
• "Transportation and Micro-Transit Expansion: A focus on improving public transit options and creating more accessible routes to support Birmingham’s population and workforce.
• "Back to Business: A drive to revitalize Birmingham’s downtown core by attracting retail businesses, boosting local commerce, and rejuvenating the city’s business landscape.
• "Youth and Crime Prevention: A commitment to enhancing community centers, recreational spaces, and arts programs for youth, while working closely with local businesses to provide trade skills and job opportunities.
• "Police Recruitment and Community Safety: A promise to bolster police recruitment efforts and improve mental health resources for law enforcement officers. Givan will also work to revitalize neighborhood watch programs and expand Explorer Programs to engage young people in law enforcement."

To learn more about her campaign, you can click here.

The Birmingham municipal election is set for August 26, 2025.

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