Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin Turns City Hall into Unlawful National Democratic PAC?

 Part 5 of a multi-part investigative series

When examining the Woodfin files, what initially appeared to be a straightforward investigation quickly peeled back like an onion, revealing deeper layers of questionable conduct. While the Birmingham mayor and his administration initially brushed off the findings as a joke, the gravity of the situation has left no room for laughter.

The Promotion of the Randall Woodfin national brand

 On March 9, 2026, a community conversation event at Birmingham’s historic Carver Theatre brought together Mayor Randall Woodfin and former U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. The daytime gathering, hosted and organized by Blueprint Alabama, has raised serious questions regarding the involvement and use of public officials in a political event.

 Brand Promotion and National Ambitions

Critics point out that high-profile appearances alongside national figures like Buttigieg are part of a broader, calculated effort to elevate the “Woodfin brand.” By manufacturing associations with heavy-hitters from the national stage, organizers and political operatives are attempting to package the Birmingham mayor as a rising progressive figure cut from the political cloth of figures like Barack Obama — all while leveraging local municipal machinery and state personnel to cultivate an image far exceeding local municipal governance.

 Key Concerns Outlined in the Report

Use of Municipal Property: The event took place at the city-owned Carver Theatre. Public records and financial disclosures reviewed in the report reportedly lack records of rental payments or fees paid by Blueprint Alabama to the city for utilizing the municipal facility.

Iron City Communications & Staff Presence: Iron City Communications members involved with the Blueprint Alabama PAC—including Toni King, Adarris May, and Josh Coleman—were present. Coleman holds multiple titles including Director of Public Affairs for the City of Birmingham, the Mayor’s LGBTQ+ Liaison, and President of Central Alabama Pride, alongside his history of publishing children’s literature targeted at younger demographics. Critics have sharply characterized figures like Coleman as ideological actors attempting to inject controversial lifestyle messaging into youth communities through targeted children’s books and public readings aimed at pre-teens.

City Council Attendance: City Council members Wardine Alexander, Josh Vasa, Brian Gunn, and Clinton Woods were also in attendance.

State & Political Figures: The gathering drew current and former officials, including former Senator Doug Jones, State Rep. Kelvin Datcher (District 52, who was still a city employee at the time), Birmingham Police Sergeant and State Rep. Travis Hendrix (District 55), and candidate Alicia Lumpkin.

Statutory Scrutiny: The report points to several Alabama ethics and criminal statutes—including prohibitions against using public equipment, facilities, time, or labor for private or political benefit (such as Ala. Code § 36-25-5 and § 17-17-5)—calling for a formal review by oversight authorities.

Supporters and organizers have defended the forum as an open community dialogue centered heavily on federal infrastructure investments, local economic development, and historical revitalization efforts along Birmingham’s Fourth Avenue North corridor. However, critics argue that the overlap between political action groups, city-compensated personnel, and municipal properties highlights a persistent need for stricter transparency and independent oversight within local governance.

 To read earlier installments: Part 1 — Part 2 — Part 3 — Part 4.

The above originally appeared in the Alabama Political Contributor. It is reprinted here, with minor editorial changes, by permission of the author.

Christopher M. Peeks is a Reporter, Columnist and Alabama Political Contributor.

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