Alabama Democratic Party Appoints William Bell as Interim Chair Jefferson Co.

From the Alabama Democratic Party

Montgomery, AL – William Bell, former Birmingham mayor, was appointed as Interim Chair of the Jefferson County Democratic Executive Committee by Randy Kelley, Chair of the Alabama Democratic Party, and Angela Webb-Weinberg as Vice Chair, effective February 27, 2026. Kelley said the reason for the appointment was that a challenge had been made to the State Democratic Executive Committee (SDEC) when a special election was held to fill the vacancy for Chair and Vice Chair last August.

Kelley appointed a committee to investigate and decide what action, if any, should be taken based on the facts as presented. The Committee was composed of Attorney Ben Harris of Mobile, who chaired the Hearing Committee, Joe L. Reed, Vice Chair for Minority Affairs of Montgomery, and Rebecca Marion from Tallapoosa County.

The Committee heard the charges, considered the evidence, and concluded that the Jefferson County Democratic Executive Committee did, in fact, have more members on the Jefferson County Democratic Executive Committee than the SDEC Bylaws permit. Additionally, the Committee was informed at the hearing that there were significant concerns related to whether persons participated in and voted in the election who were not eligible to vote. The Committee invalidated the election and vacated the positions and then requested that Jefferson County Democratic Executive Committee provide certain information, including membership lists, to determine whether another special election could be held. That information was not provided to the committee timely or completely. When a membership list was provided, it reflected both that the Jefferson County Democratic Executive Committee had too many members and that persons whose names did not appear on that membership list in fact voted in the August special election. The Committee recommended Bell to Kelley as Chair and Webb-Weinberg as Vice Chair respectively. Both will serve until August when the Bylaws require the Jefferson County Democratic Executive Committee to elect new officers.

Grover Dunn served temporarily, from the time the committee vacated the positions, to complete qualifying, and Wayne Rogers as interim chair through candidate certification on February 26.