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Campaign donations top $280,000 in Tuscaloosa mayor s race
If politics can be described as war without bloodshed, then campaign contributions could be considered the ammunition for the weaponry.
Tuscaloosa’s 2021 race for mayor is rife with such contributions, with donations between the three candidates – incumbent Walt Maddox and his challengers, Martin Houston and Serena Fortenberry – topping more than $280,000 since their campaign announcements were made.
And while Maddox’s $140,637 in recorded cash contributions since August – the month that a survey of his chances at a fifth term was leaked to The Tuscaloosa News – ranks the most out of the three candidates, Houston is not far behind.
Pointed criticisms, highlighted accomplishments and claims of a better future highlighted Thursday night’s debate among Tuscaloosa’s mayoral candidates.
Incumbent Walt Maddox and those challenging his bid at a fifth term in the mayoral seat – local pastor and businessman Martin Houston and University of Alabama professor Serena Fortenberry – remained cordial during the debate as accusations and defenses flew among topics that varied from the city’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic to recruiting and retaining businesses and industries as well as the workforce to support them.
But among the most contentious of topics was Elevate Tuscaloosa.
This ambitious plan was championed by Maddox two years ago with the goal of to fund more than $500 million in education, transportation, recreation and public safety projects over the next three decades through a 1-cent sales tax increase.
UpdatedFri, Feb 19, 2021 at 3:51 am CT
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The three candidates running for mayor of Tuscaloosa will have a debate tonight hosted by WVUA 23 and The League of Women Voters. (Shutterstock)
TUSCALOOSA, AL The three candidates vying for the city of Tuscaloosa s highest office will face off Thursday evening in a live televised political debate on WVUA 23 at 7 p.m.
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