2 Qualify for Vacant Tuscaloosa City Council Seat Ahead of April Election

Two men qualified to run for a vacant seat on the Tuscaloosa City Council, setting up a head-to-head special election in April.

As the Thread has previously reported, the District 3 seat on the city council was left vacant when incumbent Norman Crow was elected to a higher office, replacing Cynthia Almond in the Alabama House of Representatives.

District 3 includes almost all of the city's land north of the Black Warrior River, except for the Tuscaloosa National Airport and some surrounding land.

Almond's District 63 seat in the House was vacated when Governor Kay Ivey appointed her to lead the Alabama Public Service Commission.

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Because there are still more than three years left on Crow's unfinished term in office, the city will hold a special election to name his replacement.

On Wednesday, the city announced that two candidates have qualified to run - Richard Henry and Doug Parrish.

The Special Municipal Election for City Council District 3 will take place on Tuesday, April 14, 2026.

Since there are only two candidates, there is no possibility of a later runoff.

The city also announced that any District 3 Resident who will not be in town for the election can cast an absentee ballot beginning on Tuesday, February 24th, but must apply for a ballot before it is issued.

For coverage of the race and more news from City Hall, stay connected to the Tuscaloosa Thread.